Q&A with Jessica Ory, CFE

This past fall, Jessica Ory of Texas put some time aside to focus on accomplishing her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. After attending a CFE Exam Review Course, Ory was certified in August 2019. She feels that her new credential gives her a higher level of credibility when speaking with leaders. When Ory is not working, she enjoys reading and traveling with her family.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Ory: I was certified on August 29, 2019.

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in San Francisco, and, following the course, you sat for the CFE Exam on-site. Please describe your experience of participating in the four-day course and then sitting for the exam immediately afterward.

Ory: I enjoyed the CFE Exam Review Course because I felt that it gave me an opportunity to focus on and ask questions about exam items that were difficult. It also helped me immensely to have the material fresh in my mind before taking the test.

Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course?

Ory: I think that having a person explain the concepts was extremely helpful. I really enjoyed the real-life examples that they were able to provide.

Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?

Ory: I currently investigate fraud at BNSF Railway, and I feel that the Review Course helped me to polish and refine my skills. In addition to making me a better investigator, I feel that the CFE credential provides a higher level of credibility when briefing leaders that I have not had the pleasure of working with in the past.

Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the CFE Exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?

Ory: I reviewed the material briefly after each review session, prior to taking the test. It was a way for me to refresh everything that was discussed that day. I think that taking those twenty to thirty minutes each day really helped me to better remember the concepts.

Coach: Would you recommend the Review Course to your colleagues?

Ory: Absolutely, I think that having an instructor explain the concepts and give examples is very helpful. I have a colleague that will be attending a Review Course next year.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Ory: About two years ago I became the administrator of the ethics hotline. Working in close conjunction with the fraud investigators in the compliance department really sparked my interest in this field.

Coach: Now that we know what you do professionally, what do you like to do for fun, and what do you find enjoyable about it?

Ory: I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. We love to travel and explore. We recently welcomed a very rowdy Labrador puppy into our family, so every day is an adventure.

Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?

Ory: While the instructor was teaching, I found it helpful to highlight all the main concepts in the CFE Exam Review Course Workbook. I suggest bringing a red pen to mark the items that the instructor calls out as important, and then review those highlights and red marks prior to taking the exam.