Q & A with Michele Barron, CFE

Michele Barron of Georgia recently became a CFE after attending a CFE Exam Review Course. Michele put some time aside to focus on accomplishing her goal of obtaining the CFE credential, as she believes that the CFE credential is a way to set herself apart from other auditors in her profession. The CFE credential identifies her specialization in fraud investigation and qualifies her skills and experience in that area. When Michele is not working, she enjoys taking mini weekend vacations with her husband.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?
Barron: I earned my CFE credential on May 25, 2018.

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Atlanta, Georgia; 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 after.
Barron: The Atlanta experience was intense and well worth the effort. Each day focused on a different section of the Fraud Examiners Manual and included stories of the presenters’ experiences. The classroom experience helped transform the material from conceptual ideas and theories to practical applications in the field, making it easier to understand the manual and be successful on the test. It was an open classroom experience in which students could ask questions, request clarification on topics, and get assistance as needed. Then, each day ended with additional time to independently review the material before taking the test. All tests were available should the student need to retake a failed test or test on another section.

Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course?
Barron: I liked the fact that the tests were written instead of being online. I felt more relaxed in this environment and appreciated the ability to answer the more challenging questions last and focus on the more familiar questions first. I also liked that the tests were scored immediately so that I could leave that evening knowing whether I passed, which allowed me to relax before resuming the CFE Exam Review Course the following day.

Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?
Barron: The CFE credential is a way to set myself apart from other auditors in my profession. The credential identifies my specialization in fraud investigation and qualifies my skills and experience in this area.

Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day? 
Barron: I began studying the material three months prior to the CFE Exam Review Course. With the use of the CFE Exam Prep Course, I began by taking the preassessment test to see which areas I should focus on. I completed several of the review questions in each section and took practice tests for all four sections before attending the on-site review course. Then, after the daily classroom presentations, I scanned my notes from that day’s session for about 30 minutes before sitting for the exam.  
 
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?
Barron: I have already recommended the course to my colleagues. The course makes it easier to focus on and understand the material in the Fraud Examiners Manual and to set aside time to complete the examination without unnecessary distractions. The on-site review course is also a great way to network and meet others interested in fighting fraud throughout the state and federal government, as well as in private industry.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud? 
Barron: I was exposed to fraud early in my career with the IRS. Coordinating with fraud advisors and criminal investigators exposed me to a whole other area of investigations. I find working on cases that involve deliberate deceit and intentional actions more satisfying to resolve and get a feeling that justice has prevailed when individuals are held accountable for their actions.

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? 
Barron: I am a travel enthusiast. When I am not traveling for work, my husband and I take mini vacations on weekends and plan big trips every couple of years. We have a bucket list of places throughout the world that we plan to visit. Unfortunately, the list seems to be growing faster than we’re checking things off. 
 
Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs? 
Barron: Take the time out of your busy day to accomplish this goal. Make a plan and modify it as necessary, but you must keep the test a priority. In the end, it will be worth your time and effort when your signed certificate arrives in the mail.

Q & A with Valerie Barcarse, CFE

Valerie Barcarse of California became a CFE this past April after studying with the CFE Exam Prep Course. Valerie believes that her new CFE credential will reinforce some of the skills she needs to do her work effectively and efficiently. When Valerie is not working, she enjoys cooking for others and reading.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Barcarse: I received my CFE credential in April of 2018. 

Coach: Please describe your experience using the CFE Exam Prep Course?

Barcarse: The Prep Course software was very user-friendly. It was easy to navigate the course online to access the diagnostic test, individual review sections, and practice exams.

Coach: What did you like most about the Prep Course?

Barcarse: The practice exams were what I liked most about the Prep Course. I loved that the practice exams simulated the actual testing experience (e.g., exams were timed and the layout was the same), so when it came to exam day, there were no surprises.

Coach: How long did it take you to complete the Prep Course and how often did you study?

Barcarse: It took me about two-and-a-half months to complete the Prep Course. I work full time, so I studied an hour to an hour and a half a day for at least five days during the week. I was averaging about a 90% on the practice exams, so I felt pretty confident going into the actual exam.

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

Barcarse: In my current profession, I conduct audits of businesses varying in size and industry. I am very fortunate to have been exposed to different projects and cases. Over the course of the past few years, the cases I've worked on have become increasingly complex, and I believe my new CFE credential will reinforce some of the skills I need to do my work effectively and efficiently.  

Coach:  Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Barcarse: Definitely! The Prep Course played a major role in me passing the exam on the first try. I'm an advocate for test-prep courses, and the CFE Exam Prep Course is no exception. The Prep Course features questions very similar to those on the actual exam, so I wasn't too anxious about unexpected test topics that might come up during exam day.  

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Barcarse: As I mentioned earlier, I am an auditor. I have uncovered tax evasion and similar fraud on several cases I have worked on. Dishonest businesses tip the scales, and my passion for fighting fraud stems from my drive to do my job well; this means ensuring that there's a level playing field for businesses involved with tangible personal property (TPP) sales.  

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?

Barcarse: Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. My tastes are eclectic, so you can find me reading anything from Harper's Bazaar to the Harvard Business Review, and everything in between! When I'm not engrossed in a good read, I also enjoy cooking. I find it especially therapeutic to cook for other people. This past weekend, I tried out a new recipe for eggs Benedict, and my beau loved it!

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

Barcarse: Honestly, the best tip I have is to establish a study plan and stick to it. Figure out at what time during the day you can squeeze in your study time, and make it a habit to reserve that window of time specifically for studying. This means minimizing or eliminating distractions (i.e., silence your cell phone so you're not tempted to surf your social media accounts as soon as you get a notification that Susan tagged you in a funny meme) so you can create an environment conducive to learning. Starting a routine can be difficult, but maintaining it can be very rewarding.

Q & A with Tobin Craig, CFE

Tobin Craig of Maryland recently became a CFE after attending a CFE Exam Review Course. When Tobin is not working, he enjoys drumming, making wine
and, constructing model aircraft. However, this past fall, he put some time aside to focus on accomplishing his goal of obtaining the CFE credential. Tobin believes his new CFE credential will present interesting challenges for him in both his current position and the future.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?
Craig: I was notified on April 11, 2018, that I had successfully completed the certification process. 

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Washington, D.C., 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 after.
Craig: There is a lot to ingest over the four days! I learned early on that my best option for success was to make my learning environment as flexible as possible. For me, this meant abandoning the rows of tables; instead, I chose to camp out at the back wall at a standing table with a chair beside it. This gave me the option to stand, sit, or pace without being distracting to the class or claustrophobic. I found that definitely taking each set of exams at the end of the day to be preferential. There's a lot to absorb, so being able to focus on each topic and then test on it was really helpful. 

Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course?
Craig: The things I liked the most were the fast pace of the material, the speakers being relevant and engaging, and the fact that they did a great job of corralling a really large group of people! I also enjoyed meeting new people over lunch. I took the class by myself, so I had two options: take lunch alone or meet new people. I'm glad I chose the latter; I had some great discussions with a number of people from all walks of life.

Coach:  In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?
Craig: My background is in forensic science; I began as a chemist, then became a document examiner and, more recently, moved to computer forensics. I was initially skeptical of how this would augment my career path of more than 20 years, but I've recently transitioned into a field that is more aligned with investigations involving big data. In looking through Fraud Magazine recently, I was really surprised to learn just how far fraud investigation extends, and now I'm excited that the lessons I'm learning in my new position, coupled with my experience in computer investigations, will present interesting new challenges for me, both now and in the future.

Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?
Craig: I found that my professional experience helped me tremendously during the exams. Sure, there are some things that you simply have to learn, like the names of specific laws and such, but I also found that much of my experience (especially with prior courtroom testimony) helped me navigate much of the exam process. You can never fully prepare for exams like these, so I chose instead to absorb as much as I could during the review course to augment my experiences. 

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?
Craig: I definitely would! It’s a great challenge.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?
Craig: I've been involved in the fight against crime in a number of formas for more than 20 years. Fraud can be considered less exciting than other forms of criminal investigation, but when you look at it in terms of fraud’s negative impact on people’s lives, then it lights a fire. 

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?
Craig: When I'm not working on a keyboard, I enjoy drumming, making wine, and WW2 model aircraft construction. It sounds strange, but there's something almost Zen-like about knowing the only thing I have to take care of some nights is painting a scale model spitfire or something . . . it takes my mind off computers! I'm also finishing a Master's program in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation in Dublin, Ireland. When that's done, I'm going to embark on learning some new programming skills. I'm a big fan of open source tools, and I like seeing how much I can accomplish just from a Linux command line.

Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?
Craig: The only thing I can suggest is to jump in and do it! Don't panic that you don't know everything; no one does. Do the best you can–you might be pleasantly surprised. I know I was!
 

Q & A with Lyena Chong, CFE

Lyena Chong of Singapore recently became a CFE after studying with the CFE Exam Prep Course. When Lyena is not working, she enjoys reading and listening to classical music. This past April, Lyena put some time aside to pursue the CFE credential. Lyena says having the CFE credential helps her understand how a fraudster thinks and will better equip her to handle different types of fraud cases that come her way.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?
Chong: I sat for the exam in March 2018 and received my CFE credential in April 2018.

Coach: Please describe your experience using the Prep Course?
Chong: I liked the user-friendly interface of the Prep Course. From the Pre-assessment to the Practice Exams, it built up my knowledge step by step in the content areas I lacked the most. 

Coach:  What did you like most about the Prep Course?
Chong: I loved the challenge of going through each timed Practice Exam and recognizing the same mistakes I have made numerous times. This helped me realize where my weaknesses were and what specific areas needed to be built up. At the same time, I built up my knowledge and skills in a well-rounded way.

Coach: How long did it take you to complete the Prep Course and how often did you study?
Chong: I started to get serious in my preparation for the CFE Exam when I signed up for the CFE Exam 90-Day Challenge from October to December 2017. I received encouragement from the participants, who also shared their experiences. I applied others’ experiences to my personal scenario to see what worked the best for me. I was motivated every single day.

Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?
Chong: I feel that the CFE credential has equipped me with the professional skills to handle any fraud cases that might arise in the course of my employment. It helps me think more like a fraudster and recognize how people might commit fraudulent acts.

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?
Chong: Yes, I have already recommended it to my friend and ex-colleague and convinced her to purchase the Prep Course.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?
Chong: I love to investigate, and I see challenges as fun, especially when you get to resolve them.

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?
Chong: I love to read self-improvement books and enjoy listening to classical music.
I recommend that people study constantly and on a daily basis. Do not lose your hope. The CFE Exam can be easier when you know the topics well. 

Q & A with Mindy Mayfield, CFE

Mindy Mayfield of West Virginia recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Austin, TX. Mindy usually enjoys spending her free time traveling, but she recently devoted her time to accomplishing her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. Mindy feels her new credential will be beneficial as she plans and executes internal audits and investigations within her organization. She believes that having her CFE makes gaining individuals’ trust easier and building relationships quicker.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Mayfield: I received my CFE credential on November 28, 2017.

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Austin 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 after.

Mayfield: For me, the CFE Exam Review Course felt like a mixture of being in the trenches preparing for a battle with my comrades and being on a slip-and-slide that is fast and fun. Sitting in one place for a long period of time was the hardest part, but in the end, it was incredibly worth it. I was confident going into the exams each day, made some awesome new friends, and ate some of the BEST lunches and snacks at any conference I have ever attended. And the best part—there was an unlimited supply of coffee!!!

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

Mayfield: Hands down, my favorite part of the review course was the ACFE faculty and staff. The instructors moved through the material quickly (and there is a lot of it) so that most of the information presented on the exam was covered, all the while providing real-life examples to aid in our understanding. The instructors were funny, engaging, and showed genuine interest in our successful completion of the exam. On the flipside, the staff were patient, kind, and helpful during the registration and grading process each day. When you are a long way from home and stressed over a four-day exam, it is comforting to be pointed in the right direction and to be offered reassurance along the way. 

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

Mayfield: The CFE credential indicates to those I encounter both inside and outside my organization that I possess high moral character, that I will act with professionalism and integrity, and that I have been trained to prevent, detect, and deter fraud. This in itself is beneficial as I plan and execute internal audits and investigations within my organization because gaining individuals’ trust is easier and building relationships is quicker. However, it is not just what the credential represents that is valuable, but the knowledge I gained while studying for the CFE Exam that has allowed me to develop a skill set that is very much needed within my organization and my profession as a whole.

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

Mayfield: To prepare for the on-site CFE Exam, I purchased the online CFE Exam Prep Course and followed the 90-day study plan outlined on the ACFE’s website. I spent about an hour after work studying each day, and I NEVER studied on the weekends. As I moved through the Prep Course, I took notes on the questions I answered incorrectly. This made it easy for me to quickly and easily review those items before each study session. I also made a reference list for acronyms and Latin terms used in the Law section for easy reference. The Prep Course made studying a breeze. I did not need to spend any extra time studying after class while at the review course.    

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Mayfield: Yes! Of course! The review course is so much more than just a refresher before taking the exam and a chance to earn CPE credit. The review course fosters a sense of community and provides the opportunity to expand your network, both personally and professionally. Because I attended a review course, I was able to meet members of the ACFE faculty and staff. Being able to put faces with names at the ACFE is priceless and allows me to feel personally connected to the ACFE. And then, there were my classmates. What an exceptional group of people! Because of the diverse industries, experience levels, and geographical locations of the participants, the lunch conversations were never dull and friendships were formed. I am already looking at the ACFE calendar to determine which event to attend next and would most certainly encourage others to do so as well!

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Mayfield: I like treasure hunts and puzzles, especially when they are challenging. At my previous employer, I participated in an engagement involving a small financial institution that allegedly assisted a client with a workers’ compensation fraud scheme and violated the Bank Secrecy Act. I found gathering the financial information, interviewing some of the individuals involved, and pulling the pieces together both interesting and satisfying. I have been hooked ever since!

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?

Mayfield: Travel. Travel. Travel. There is something truly exhilarating about submersing myself in a culture I have never experienced and trying all the new experiences my destination has to offer. The sights, sounds, smells, and flavors . . . ahhh . . . I’m ready! Let’s go!

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

Mayfield: Apply yourself!