STEP 1: AWARENESS. STEP 2: CHANGE.

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), an international organisation with the aim to reduce fraud and white-collar crime globally, is constantly creating new ways in which to create anti-fraud awareness. The ACFE was established in 1989 and since then, various studies and research have been conducted on the topics of fraud, corruption and white-collar crime to determine the best ways in which to detect, deter and prevent these transgressions.

During the extensive and ongoing research, it was determined that fraud is a global occurrence and the ACFE needs to extend its network and resources in order to effectively combat fraud. This led to the establishment of a further 190 ACFE Chapters worldwide. The ACFE South Africa, established in 1998, forms part of this global initiative and creates awareness in South Africa and Africa.

Not only do they have various awareness campaigns, but they also equip members and partners with tools and techniques required to combat fraud. The ACFE SA assists practitioners and investigators from a wide spectrum of industries including forensics, accounting, auditing, law, risk management, and governance to excel in the workplace.

100s of municipal workers and government employees across South Africa have decided to join forces with the ACFE SA and fight fraud from within the organisation. These members have recognised the gravity of criminality within the system and have decided to take a stand and fight fraud from within. No one person is too small to make a difference. The ACFE SA boasts with members like Thuli Madonsela who won the international ACFE Cressey Award in 2021 – an award bestowed annually for a lifetime of achievement in the detection and deterrence of fraud.

The ACFE also goes hand-in-hand with the internationally recognised Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation. The CFE is an individual who is uniquely qualified; is willing to take a stand against fraud; is a valuable asset to any organisation as well as the South African economy; and makes a difference.

More and more organisations in both the public and private sector are starting to recognise the importance of CFEs within the workplace and are therefore requiring that employees be CFEs. Employing CFEs safeguards your organisation against internal fraud and it demonstrates that you are supporting anti-fraud practices. The ACFE recently published the ACFE Occupational Fraud 2022: Report to the Nations recently released. This study was conducted by CFEs and was based on 2 110 real cases of occupational fraud, with data from 133 countries, and it includes 23 major industry categories and explores costs, schemes, victims and perpetrators of fraud.

On 12-14 September, the ACFE SA hosts an annual conference dedicated to creating awareness, equipping delegates with tools and techniques that can be applied in the workplace immediately, providing training on anti-fraud practices, and allowing delegates the opportunity to stay up to date with the latest fraud trends by attending sessions by expert local and international speakers.

The ACFE SA is calling on fraud fighters across South Africa to join the global fight against fraud. If you want to know more, become a member or wish to attend the conference, contact Zanél Jordaan –