Professionalising Fraud Investigators

Dr Mark Button, Reader in Criminology and Director of Centre for Counter Fraud Studies

The Challenge of Fraud Growing problem Increasingly sophisticated Law enforcement less interested Need for professionalism to effectively tackle New ways of thinking about fraud: countering

it for competitive advantage Route to profession so far dominated by the

public sector

What is a Profession? A System of Accreditation and Certification An Educational Programme A Body of Knowledge and Professional Journals A Recognised Association Standards and a Code of Ethics

The Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation/Education Route

Pre 1999 No Minimum Structure of Training Training ad-hoc on a local basis No evaluation of skills or knowledge Culture of practices continued that pre-

dated Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996

 

Public Sector Led Professionalisation London Boroughs Fraud Investigation Group 1998 Green Paper on Welfare Reform followed by

White Paper Code of Conduct Professional Qualifications High Quality Training Seconding of Staff Training and Education: PINS and DCFS Creation of Professional Accreditation Boards:

Health v Local Authority/DWP Merger of two PABS

Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Boards Current Membership Members of Board Department for Work and Pensions Job Centre Plus Local Authorities in Britain Department of Health NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service HM Revenue and Customs Identity and Passport Service Child Support Agency Capita (Teceris) Ltd KPMG CIPFA The UK Border Agency

Creation of Foundation Level of Training

Core Mandatory Subjects Recognised by Counter Fraud Professional

Accreditation Board Accredited by HEI to at least 40 Level 4

(Year 1) Credits Leads to Accredited Counter Fraud

Specialist

Cont’d Accredited Counter Fraud Officer (Replaced by

ACFS) Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) Accredited Counter Fraud Manager (ACFM) Certified Counter Fraud Specialist (CCFS)   Accredited Counter Fraud Trainer (ACFT) Graduate Counter Fraud Specialist (GCFS)

New Accredited Counter Fraud Technician (ACFTech)

Creation of Higher Education Qualifications

University of Portsmouth: Institute of Criminal Justice Studies

CertHE in Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies

BSc (Hons) in Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies

MSc Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption Studies

University of Teeside/University of Wolverhampton

PAB Awards By Sector

Other Accreditations Association of Certified Fraud Examiners CFE The National Fraud Authority proposals

A Body of Knowledge and Professional Journals

A Recognised Association?

The Status of Support Functions?

Standards and a Code of Ethics?

Overview Largest group of fraud investigators in

country (only 524 police officers dedicated to fraud)

Nationally recognised training and education with further opportunities through National Fraud Authority

Hopefully address private sector gap Still much work to do to achieve

profession!