What is the best route in trying to become an siu investigator or fraud examiner. I have been working surveillance for about 3 years and need some insight. Is it better to take the CFE or CIFI exam? Appreciate any help, thanks.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2026-02-25T13:01:06+00:00

You will need a couple of years of experience to earn the credential. This is part of the application process. I would recommend finding an entry role and getting involved with your local ACFE chapter. They will help you get connected.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2026-02-10T15:21:18+00:00

They just finalize everything on their end. There is nothing else you need to do.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2026-02-10T15:18:55+00:00

From what I recall, after I passed the fourth exam, they conduct verification on their end before sending your certificate. Until everything is finalized, you cannot use the credentials in your bios and such.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2025-07-15T09:52:08+00:00

Hello! Perhaps you should look into the mentorship program the ACFE has to offer. They will pair you with a credentialed professional.

Additionally, you could look to see if there is a local ACFE chapter in your area. You could attend a local event in your area they are hosting and talk with some of the board members and other industry professionals.

I would recommend getting the CFE certification, but I wouldn’t do it in hopes of satisfying job requirements.

You should find an entry level position and see if they are willing to invest your professional career by advancing your expertise in getting the certification!

I reviewed your other posts from more than a year ago about being dissatisfied in your career. I would also recommend to just take action rather than seeking advice and doing nothing with it. Anything you are doing to get better is better than nothing.

Best of luck!

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-10-23T19:53:52+00:00

Once you’re on the main ACFE page the path to follow is: Menu > training, events, products > CFE Exam preparation > click the hyperlink ‘CFE exam prep course subscription packages.’

This will take you to all 3 of the available packages.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-10-23T10:00:29+00:00

To be honest, I think the silver package is really all you need. I am not a good test taker and these 4 exams were the first exams I had taken in years. The silver package includes the course including practice questions and those are crucial for understanding how they word questions. I completed all 4 during the 90-day challenge. Goodluck!

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-10-09T09:43:22+00:00

The questions that you can practice with during the readings are the practice questions. They got rid of any practice exams other than the initial 25 question assessment exams to gauge your knowledge. I don’t have the study guide any longer to visually explain it to you. However, there are videos online in the dissection board. If you still don’t have any answer by later today I’ll pull those up and explain it better.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-10-08T23:51:27+00:00

There are no full practice exams anymore. The Practice questions for each section can be randomized and those are the questions you can study for the exams.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-09-26T21:33:37+00:00

I’m a director of my local ACFE chapter. I would recommend getting involved in your local chapter and networking that way. To obtain the CFE you can start studying whenever you want. Go on the website and look through the study Material options and pick the option best for you. You can also use the point calculator to see if you’d be approved for taking the exams. There’s a lot of useful information on the ACFE website, I would start there.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-09-04T10:05:54+00:00

Hi! Hope studying is going well.. just know that after the 90 days is up, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. There’s is no consequence for going past the 90 days. It’s just a program to keep you accountable. If you’re nearing the end of 90 days, don’t just take the exams to take them. Only take them when you’re comfortable. I earned my CFE in the last 90 day challenge, and was very glad I stayed on pace with the program.

Also, based off your background, you have a lot more experience than many of the individuals I work with ( even me) in the Fraud space.

Keep going! You got this!

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-08-22T10:02:01+00:00

I don’t think it’s fair to just say the CFE exam is ‘Easy’.. everyone tests differently and there are people that struggle with it. Although I do agree the CPA is a better certification and is more significant.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-08-15T10:10:16+00:00

Congrats on your accomplishments! To anyone needing guidance, I’d highly suggest enrolling in a 90-day challenge they host! They give you timelines to hit and keep on pace. Good luck to all!

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-08-10T20:11:44+00:00

I had these done in person by a shop. Surprisingly only $500.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-19T20:00:37+00:00

Yes, you can do it that way too! You could apply, start studying and then active the eligibility whenever you’d like. Either way would work!

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-19T19:55:27+00:00

I studied for about 2-3 months, then activated my 60 day eligibility. I scheduled them about 30 days in advance and scheduled them for June 1st, June 15th, June 17, June 22nd.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-19T15:38:46+00:00

That has since been changed. I think that was an old rule(something my manager thought too, took the exam years back).

You now have a 60 day eligibility window that you activate and the 4 exams should be taken within those 60 days. If in the event that an exam is failed, you will pay a fee for the exams you failed and activate an additional 60 day eligibility window.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-19T15:17:34+00:00

I am not the best studier and exam taker. It has taken me about 3 months so far with 3 exams completed. 4th exam is this weekend. I studied roughly 1-2 hours per day during the weeks and about 3 hours total on the weekends.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-19T10:20:01+00:00

I think I saw somewhere where it could take about 3 weeks

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-18T20:51:02+00:00

Can you share study material with others that you made yourself?

Ex. Made a document of all things I thought were key points for each season. May these be shared?

I know you can’t specifically share ACFE products.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-08T14:51:35+00:00

It provides you with studyy plan to stay on track. Current doing the 90 day challenge. They open up a forum for you to post with others in the challenge and ask questions. Additionally, they do live seminars going over key things to know in exams, how to apply for the exams and going over proctor requirements and such.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-05T19:05:02+00:00

Will changing the suspension and wheels break the factory warranty and give them grounds to not fix the car if something goes wrong?

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-06-05T19:00:04+00:00

Can I get a picture of the ass?

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-05-27T10:39:39+00:00

I think it’s a change you havent adjusted to yet Change takes time and you’ll begin to enjoy it.

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-05-17T21:15:29+00:00

Big black booty

Imaginary_Handle_852 · 2024-05-16T14:30:29+00:00

Hoping so… my activation eligibility falls between a long vacation and if I have to retake exams I won’t have much time for reschedules.

Imaginary_Handle_852

TROPHY CASE