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!