Q&A with Larissa Rucks, CFE

Larissa Rucks of California became a CFE after attending an in-person CFE Exam Review Course. Rucks enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and outdoor activities. The knowledge that Rucks received from preparing for the CFE Exam has given her the foundation she needs in her current role to assess the adequacy of audit procedures and testing as it relates to internal controls. Read more about Rucks’s experience below.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Rucks: I was certified in November 2021.

Coach: Please describe your experience of attending the four-day Review Course in Austin, and what did you like most about the course?

Rucks: After two years of not traveling for work, I mostly enjoyed traveling for the week and meeting other similarly situated people across a wide spectrum of industries and jobs. The instructors were also very knowledgeable and engaging. We were welcome to ask questions during and after our daily sessions. The facility was also nice—but bring a jacket—and the food provided was quite good.

Coach: Please describe your experience of taking the CFE Exam each day after class.

Rucks: It made for four long days; however, it was completely worth it. The fact that I could attend the course, take the exam, and be done with it alleviated the stress of a potentially long, drawn-out certification process.

Coach: Did you review the CFE Exam Prep Course prior to attending the Review Course? If so, how often did you study?

Rucks: Yes, I started studying approximately six weeks prior to the Review Course, mostly on weekends due to work. On average, I studied maybe eight hours a week during that six-week period.

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

Rucks: As a bank examiner, my current role is to supervise internal audit(s) at a large bank from a regulatory capacity. Becoming a CFE further developed my fraud examination skills and advanced my understanding of fundamental internal controls related to fraud. This foundation will continue to serve me in my current role as I assess the adequacy of audit procedures and testing related to internal controls.

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

Rucks: Yes, the course made becoming a CFE more accessible.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Rucks: My first college internship was at a major satellite TV provider and happened to be in its fraud department. I wasn’t necessarily seeking this, but it landed in my lap as that department was understaffed and needed interns. I quickly realized how pervasive fraud is and what a massive industry exists because of it.

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?

Rucks: I love exploring, whether that be hiking, trying new restaurants, or traveling to a city that I’ve never been to before. I love the sense of discovery and being outdoors when it’s warm.

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

Rucks: If you are limited on study time and can’t read through the entire Fraud Examiners Manual, focus your attention on the online Prep Course. The section that provides the rationale for the correct answer was the most beneficial to me.