CFE — Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE)
The standard for fraud examination, investigation and prevention.
Comparing options? Read ACCA vs CPA vs CMA vs CFA →Quick answer
- Best for
- The standard for fraud examination, investigation and prevention.
- Not ideal for
- If you want general accounting rather than fraud/forensics.
- Main roles
- Fraud examiner, forensic accountant, investigations and compliance.
- CPD
- ACFE members complete 20 CPE hours a year, including fraud-specific and ethics hours.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Who it's for
Auditors, accountants and investigators specialising in fraud.
Structure
The CFE Exam across four areas — fraud schemes, law, investigation, and prevention & deterrence — plus ACFE membership and qualifying points.
Time & cost
Often under a year alongside work.
Careers
Fraud examiner, forensic accountant, investigations and compliance.
The skills you'll build
Many of these serve more than one path.
Best free resources for this path
Curated and vetted, with how to start.
The ACFE's free articles, reports (including the Report to the Nations) and CFE exam information.
How to start: Browse acfe.com; some resources are members-only.
Free, CPE-eligible webcasts on tax, audit, accounting and regulation from the Big 4.
How to start: Search '<firm> webcasts / Dbriefs' and register free per session.
Free, self-paced Excel and Power BI training — essential analyst skills for any finance path.
How to start: Free with a Microsoft account; the optional PL-300 exam is paid.
Thousands of university finance/accounting courses you can audit free; financial aid for certificates.
How to start: Free account; click 'Audit', or apply for financial aid for a certificate.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
ACFE members complete 20 CPE hours a year, including fraud-specific and ethics hours.
Get these hours for free →Disclaimer
Links to third-party resources are provided for convenience and learning only. Fileminder does not control third-party content, prices, certificates, CPD/CPE eligibility, availability or accuracy. Always check the provider's own page before relying on a course, certificate, CPD unit or learning outcome. Last reviewed: June 2026.