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2020Report toMembersPresented by the Associationof Certified Fraud Examiners

2Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersLETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTWell, my friends, 2020 didn’t look like we thought it would.Overnight, our world transformed. Not only did each and every one of you have tonavigate this new terrain in your personal lives, but your professional lives were greatlyaffected as well.Because while the world was coming to grips with this new reality, fraudsters wasted notime. They used the uncertainty and fear caused by the global pandemic to perpetratedevastating schemes that stole from individuals and organizations in a time when everysingle resource counted.However, through it all I’ve seen you — our members — meet these unprecedentedchallenges head-on with tenacity and fortitude. Through virtual events, continued educationand collaboration with your peers, you are there at the forefront, pushing back against theonslaught of fraud.I do not say this lightly: The stakes of our anti-fraud profession have never been higher.Through it all I’ve seenyou — our members —meet these unprecedentedchallenges head-on withtenacity and fortitude.The coming year will continue to ask the most of us. We will need our strength and ourcombined forces to keep fighting fraud with the same level of intensity and determination Iwitnessed from you in 2020.Take a moment to look at all that you’ve accomplished this year and use it as inspiration tokeep going, keep fighting and keep making the world a better place. You are so resilientand the ACFE stands strong because of you.Bruce Dorris, J.D., CFE, CPAACFE President and CEO

StayingTrue to theMissionNo matter what the world throwsat us, we remain dedicated toour mission. This year you dug inand, together with your peers, youremained connected to that mission— reducing fraud worldwide.

4Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud Examiners2020 IN REVIEWThe ACFE wouldn’t be the world’slargest anti-fraud organizationwithout you. Here’s an overviewof the ACFE’s growth in 2020.6,115people becameCertified FraudExaminers.325professionalscontributed to thebody of anti-fraudknowledge bywriting articles forACFE publicationsand speaking atACFE events.1,300 individuals andorganizationssigned up asofficial supportersof InternationalFraud AwarenessWeek.16,640people joinedthe ACFE.

5Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud Examiners2020 AWARD WINNERSEvery year, the ACFE recognizes exceptional individuals and chapters for theircontributions to the fight against fraud. These individuals provide inspirationto others, and we are honored to count them among our members.CFE OF THE YEARSudhir Gidwani, CFEWATCH VIDEOOUTSTANDINGACHIEVEMENT INOUTREACH/COMMUNITYSERVICEShahid YakubHUBBARD AWARDAnastasia Nazarova, CFEJAMES R. BAKERSPEAKER OF THE YEARBret Hood, CFEACFE HALL OFFAME INDUCTEEEDUCATOROF THE YEARNancy Bradford, CFELawrence Hoffman, CFECHAPTEROF THE YEARCHAPTER WEBSITEOF THE YEARCentral Ohio ChapterRhode Island Chapter

6Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersCOVID-19 AND THE ANTI-FRAUD PROFESSIONOur thoughts are with every one of you who waspersonally or professionally affected by the coronavirusand the uncertainty it brought. But despite thatuncertainty, our purpose remained the same — to putyou first and provide you with high-quality, gold-standardservice and education.Though the coronavirus limited activity in many parts ofthe world, we were still able to connect. We spoke withyou via online chat, email and virtual meetings to provideyou with the education and support you needed.Through surveys, we discovered what you were upagainst and were determined to give you what youneeded to persevere through an unprecedented time.Because of your feedback, time and resourcefulness,the global anti-fraud community had tools and resourcesto fight against the fraud and unexpected challenges ofCOVID-19.Fraud in the Wakeof COVID-19:December 2020EditionThe Importanceof Anti-FraudEfforts DuringCOVID-19 and theCurrent EconomicEnvironmentRemoteInvestigationsWebinar SeriesCombatingIncreasingFraud Duringthe COVID-19PandemicMore COVID-19resourcesREAD MOREREAD MOREREAD MOREREAD MOREREAD MORE

7Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersDIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) IN THE ANTI-FRAUD PROFESSIONThe global ACFE community is made up of more than85,000 individuals, each with their own identities,experiences, opinions and contributions. And ourcommunity is undoubtedly stronger because of ourdiversity. This past year reminded us all of the benefitsfrom this strength when we intentionally honor thesedifferences by: L istening to and learning from others withdiverse perspectives Fostering inclusive environmentsResearch supports this — diverse and inclusive teamsmake better business decisions, are more innovative and,ultimately, outperform those with less diversity. The workof pushing for true diversity, equity and inclusion is aresponsibility held by all and done for all.In 2020, with your help and participation, we createdand compiled resources that you can use in yourconversations, organizations and agencies. CFEs fromaround the world participated in the webinars, articlesand more below. P romoting and implementing policiesthat are fair and equitable to everyoneA Conversation AboutDiversity, Equityand Inclusion in theAnti-Fraud FieldOvercoming Bias inInvestigations and AuditsACFE Voices: CharlesWashington, CFEMore DEIresourcesREAD MOREREAD MOREREAD MOREREAD MORE

BuildingCommunityin New WaysIt’s always been important to have a reliable networkof fraud fighters at your side, but this year, you foundways to forge deeper, more far-reaching professionalconnections than ever before.

9Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersVIRTUAL CONFERENCESAfter hosting the 2020 Fraud Conference Middle East in Dubai lastFebruary, things turned upside down due to COVID-19. To keep attendeessafe, we moved our conferences to a digital format — without compromisingon quality. In the span of three weeks, we transformed the 2020 FraudConference Europe to a virtual conference. We completely re-imaginedthe 31st Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference, typically the world’slargest in-person gathering of anti-fraud professionals, into a digital format.We’ll admit — we were nervous. We wondered if you would come.We wondered if you would be ready to make the switch.And of course, you completely blew us away.More than 4,400 people attended the ACFE Global Fraud Conferencethis year. Over 100 speakers pivoted quickly and delivered incrediblepresentations. And what’s even more important, many of you enjoyedthe new format.“ I would really like toattend more conferencesif given the chance toattend virtually.”Eunice Valentin Rivera, CFE“ Great format andtechnology! Being virtualopens the doors to thosewho can’t travel.”Dana Cobb, CFE“ Outstanding, professionalpresentations,organization of entireevent was THE examplefor future conferences.”Steve Pestikas, CFE

10Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersVIRTUAL CONFERENCESSince March, all ACFE events have been virtual, and with each conference, seminar,workshop and CFE Exam Review Course, you keep showing up ready to learn aboutthe latest trends and tactics. Here are highlights from this year’s conferences.31ST ANNUALFRAUD CONFERENCEASIA-PACIFICFRAUD CONFERENCECANADAVirtualVirtualVirtualVirtualHosted by the FederalAuthority for Identity& Citizenship and theGeneral Directorateof Residency andForeigners Affairs –Dubai.Keynote speakersincluded Raj Samani,Lewis Woodcock andMark Bowden.Keynote speakersincluded Jules Kroll,Rebecca Jarvis,Nicholas Thompson,Steve Murphy andJavier Peña.Keynote speakersincluded Dr. AttractaLagan, Carson Block,Kiki Wong, LatheefaKoya, Citizen Nadesand Su-Yen ured speakersincluded AlexBenay, PamelaBarnum, Lisa Walker,Chris MacDonald,Dick Pound andMartin Kenney.ATTENDEESATTENDEES4,106CPE EARNED77,962CPE EARNED2,531CPE EARNED1,596CPE EARNED4,043READ RECAPREAD RECAPREAD RECAPREAD RECAPREAD RECAPFRAUD CONFERENCEMIDDLE EASTFRAUD CONFERENCEEUROPEDubai, UAEACFE GLOBAL FRAUDCONFERENCE244CPE EARNED

11Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersONLINE COMMUNITY AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMSThe ACFE Community — an online, members-only discussionforum — is the world’s largest virtual network of fraud fighters.It was more active than ever in 2020 with more posts, topicsand participants in the online programs.Here’s how you showed up for your community in 2020:10,770POSTS1,350TOPICS2,760CONTRIBUTORS

12Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud Examiners90-DAY CFE EXAM CHALLENGEThe 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge provides study tips andpeer support for those preparing to become CFEs. It helpsthem stay motivated and on track to reach their goal ofpassing the CFE Exam. Participants aim to prepare for andpass the exam in just three months. With giveaways, liveQ&A sessions and weekly check-ins, it is one of the mostpopular ways to prepare for the CFE ipants303challengewinnersGARNAL BROWN, CFEon how the challenge helpedher reach her goal of passingthe CFE Exam and becominga Certified Fraud Examiner:Despite the would-be geographicaland time zone impediments, thestellar engagement of participantsin the challenge group wastremendously beneficial. Theconstant exchange of study tips andwords of encouragement fueled mewith the resolve to persevere.

13Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersACFE MENTORING PROGRAMThe ACFE Mentoring Program connects ACFEmembers to anti-fraud professionals fromall over the world who can offer a wealth ofresources, experience, advice and guidance.It’s a great way to connect one-on-one with afellow member, just like Hugh and Catherinedid in their mentoring relationship.CATHERINEHAEFNER, CFEmenteeThe most rewarding part of myjourney together with Hughhas been establishing a mutualfriendship, and having the supportand tools required to help turn mygoals of passing the CFE Exam,furthering my career developmentas an anti-fraud professional,and becoming an anti-fraudawareness presenter and educator,into an attainable reality.PROGRAM 388501,398menteesHUGHPENRI-WILLIAMS, CFEmentormenteesmenteesFrom a mentor’s standpoint, letme attest to the joy obtained froman ability to support others intheir development, no matter howsenior or ostensibly experiencedsome might already be.

14Report to Members 2020WOMEN IN THE ANTI-FRAUD PROFESSIONThis year, a new group launched in the ACFE Community:Women in the Anti-Fraud Profession. This group is anonline space, open to all ACFE members regardless ofgender, to discuss common challenges, ask questions,share ideas and resources, and support one another.With more than 600 members and growing, this grouphas quickly become a truly global online networkingspace for women in the anti-fraud profession.BELINDAKITOS. CFEPresident,SCF, Inc.Learning that fear is a choice andknowing how to face the fears in yourlife is empowering. It is how the real youemerges. It is how you find yourself, yourcharacter, develop your self confidencein who you are and learn exactly whatyou are capable of doing. which isanything you set your mind to do.Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

15Report to Members 2020Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersACFE CHAPTERS AROUND THE WORLDThrough hard work and dedication, ACFE chapters continue to thrive and assist you in youranti-fraud careers. The majority of ACFE chapters saw growth in membership throughout2020. Many chapters had to shift to virtual events, and they did so with great success.197CHAPTERSWORLDWIDE1,300 Indicates countrieswith chaptersIndicates newchapter locationsCHAPTEREVENTS