Certifications

As you can see, there are a number of different letters after our names. These letters stand for the professional designations that our team has earned; achievements that we believe reinforce our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service to our clients. These certifications require extensive experience and that professionals using a given designation complete continuing education and re-certify to keep their knowledge current and relevant. Continue reading this page to learn more about these forensic accounting certifications and what they stand for.

CFF – Certified in Financial Forensics

The CFF designation is awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Those who hold the CFF designation are CPAs in good standing with AICPA who can exhibit far-reaching expertise and experience in the practice of forensic accounting.  To earn the CFF, CPAs must establish their core and specialized forensic accounting skills in a variety of service applications, including bankruptcy and insolvency, family law, valuations, fraud prevention, detection, and response, and economic damages calculations.

CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner

Specifically for professionals who are able to meet the standards of professional excellence held out by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).  The CFE accreditation demonstrates that an individual has met the academic, professional, and ethical standards of ACFE.  Eligible candidates earn the CFE by passing a challenging application process that includes an examination on various topics and practices in accounting fraud investigation, detection, prevention, and deterrence.

CPA – Certified Public Accountant

The CPA designation is one of the most widely known professional accreditations in accounting, and most people are aware that CPAs are professionally qualified to handle accounting services beyond tax returns.

What many outside of the accounting field do not know is that the CPA designation alone is not an adequate qualification for performing quality forensic accounting, economic damages, or financial Investigative engagements.  These services are defined as Litigation Services and Investigative Services by the AICPA.  The CPA qualification process alone does not include required preparation in these fields.

Most professionals, including the Financial Forensics, LLC team, gain the required additional knowledge to work in these areas through years of training and specialized work experience. Each of these credentials require rigorous testing, relevant professional experience and continuing professional education to achieve and maintain them.