The concepts of morality, ethics, and legality are related, but they each represent different things. To illustrate, consider the following question: Is it acceptable to lie to catch a crook? The answer is not immediately clear, and it depends on a number of factors, including moral, ethical, and legal concerns. For further illustration, consider the following scenario. Management at Megacorp, Inc., suspected that its stockroom employees were stealing electronic parts from inventory and hired Abel, a fraud examiner, to discover if and how the thefts were occurring. Abel went undercover to investigate, and only to the president of Megacorp knew his identity. Abel applied for a job at Megacorp, and his application was processed through the personnel department in the normal manner. Ultimately, Abel was hired as a stockroom clerk. While working in the stockroom, Abel preserved his false identity, infiltrated the group responsible for the thefts, and gathered sufficient evidence to prove their misconduct. Consequently, the culpable employees were indicated and charged with theft by state prosecutors.

Should someone interested in pursuing a career in Fraud Examination pursue the CPA designation before the CFE, after, or not at all? I would argue that the CPA experience requirements will be an asset to a CFE, but is the investment in time and effort necessary? I’m interested in hearing from employers in the San Diego area and professionals who are willing to share their thoughts.