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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ACFE
Exam Format
120 min
100
75
Professional
Registration
$475 USD
Prometric
Validity
3 years
Earn 20 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits per year; Maintain ACFE membership in good standing; Pay annual recertification fee
CFE-FT Exam Topics and Domains
CFE-FT is organized into 15 weighted domains. Expect to work with Accounting software, Fraud detection systems, POS systems, Access control systems, and more.
1
Accounting Concepts
7.5%
Fundamental Accounting Framework
The Accounting EquationBalance Sheet/Statement of Financial PositionIncome Statement AnalysisStatement of Cash Flows
- Understand the fundamental accounting equation and its application
- Analyze financial statements for completeness and accuracy
- Identify components and purposes of core financial statements
- Recognize relationships between financial statements
Accounting Methods and Frameworks
Cash vs. Accrual AccountingAccounting Frameworks (GAAP, IFRS)
- Distinguish between cash and accrual accounting methods
- Understand major accounting frameworks and their applications
- Recognize when different frameworks are required
- Identify implications of framework selection on fraud detection
2
Financial Statement Fraud
7.5%
Financial Statement Fraud Fundamentals
What Financial Statement Fraud IsTypes of Financial Statement Fraud Schemes
- Define and identify financial statement fraud
- Understand motivations and pressures for financial statement fraud
- Recognize common financial statement fraud schemes
- Distinguish between errors and intentional fraud
Financial Statement Analysis
Analytical ProceduresRed Flags and Warning Signs
- Apply financial statement analysis techniques to detect fraud
- Use analytical procedures to identify anomalies
- Recognize red flags indicating potential financial statement fraud
- Interpret financial ratios in fraud detection context
3
Asset Misappropriation: Cash Receipts
7.5%
Cash Skimming Schemes
What Cash Skimming IsTypes of Cash Skimming SchemesCash Skimming Prevention and Detection
- Define cash skimming and distinguish it from other cash theft
- Identify various types of skimming schemes
- Recognize red flags of skimming fraud
- Apply prevention and detection controls for skimming
Cash Larceny Schemes
What Cash Larceny IsTypes of Cash Larceny SchemesCash Larceny Prevention and Detection
- Define cash larceny and distinguish from skimming
- Identify various types of larceny schemes and concealment methods
- Recognize red flags of cash larceny fraud
- Apply prevention and detection controls for larceny
4
Asset Misappropriation: Fraudulent Disbursements
7.5%
Register Disbursement and Electronic Payment Schemes
Types of Register Disbursement SchemesRegister Disbursement Prevention and DetectionElectronic Payment Tampering
- Identify register disbursement fraud schemes
- Understand electronic payment tampering methods
- Apply prevention and detection controls
- Recognize red flags in transaction patterns
Billing Schemes
Types of Billing SchemesBilling Schemes Prevention and Detection
- Identify various types of billing schemes
- Understand shell company fraud mechanics
- Apply prevention controls in purchasing and AP
- Use analytics to detect billing fraud patterns
Payroll Fraud Schemes
Types of Payroll Fraud SchemesPayroll Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of payroll fraud schemes
- Recognize ghost employee scheme indicators
- Apply prevention controls in payroll processing
- Use data analysis to detect payroll fraud
Expense Reimbursement Schemes
Types of Expense Reimbursement SchemesExpense Reimbursement Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of expense reimbursement fraud
- Understand common expense fraud techniques
- Apply prevention controls for expense reporting
- Use data analytics to detect expense fraud patterns
5
Asset Misappropriation: Inventory and Other Assets
3%
Inventory and Asset Theft
Misuse of Inventory and Other AssetsTypes of Inventory Theft SchemesConcealing Inventory ShrinkageInventory Schemes Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of inventory and asset misappropriation
- Understand concealment methods for inventory theft
- Apply prevention controls for inventory protection
- Use analytical procedures to detect inventory fraud
6
Corruption
7.5%
Corruption Schemes Fundamentals
What is Corruption?Types of Corruption SchemesMethods of Making Illegal PaymentsCorruption Prevention and Detection
- Define corruption and identify its forms
- Understand bribery, kickback, and conflict schemes
- Recognize methods of making illegal payments
- Apply prevention and detection controls for corruption
7
Theft of Data and Intellectual Property
7.5%
Corporate Espionage and Data Theft
Corporate Espionage vs. Competitive IntelligenceSources of Competitive IntelligenceHow Information is Lost or StolenSafeguarding Proprietary Information
- Distinguish corporate espionage from competitive intelligence
- Identify methods of information theft
- Understand insider and external threats to data
- Apply controls to protect intellectual property
8
Identity Theft
3%
Identity Theft Methods and Prevention
Types and Methods of Identity TheftHow Identity Thieves Steal InformationIdentity Theft Prevention and Detection
- Identify types and methods of identity theft
- Understand how identity thieves obtain information
- Apply prevention controls for identity protection
- Recognize identity theft red flags
9
Financial Institution Fraud
7.5%
Financial Institution Fraud Schemes
Types of Financial Institution FraudLoan and Mortgage Fraud SchemesRed Flags of Financial Institution FraudFinancial Institution Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of financial institution fraud
- Understand loan and mortgage fraud schemes
- Recognize red flags of financial institution fraud
- Apply prevention and detection controls
10
Payment Fraud
7.5%
Payment Fraud Schemes
Electronic Funds Transfer FraudPayment Card Fraud SchemesMobile Payment SchemesPayment Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of payment fraud schemes
- Understand electronic and card payment fraud methods
- Recognize mobile payment fraud risks
- Apply prevention and detection controls for payment fraud
11
Insurance Fraud
3%
Insurance Fraud Schemes
Types of Insurance FraudVehicle Insurance SchemesRed Flags of Insurance FraudInsurance Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of insurance fraud schemes
- Understand vehicle and property insurance fraud
- Recognize insurance fraud red flags
- Apply prevention and detection controls
12
Health Care Fraud
3%
Health Care Fraud Schemes
Types of Health Care FraudProvider Fraud SchemesHealth Care Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of health care fraud schemes
- Understand provider and patient fraud methods
- Recognize health care fraud red flags
- Apply prevention and detection controls
13
Consumer Fraud
7.5%
Consumer Fraud Schemes
Types of Consumer FraudAdvance-Fee SchemesPyramid and Ponzi SchemesElder FraudConsumer Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Identify types of consumer fraud schemes
- Understand Ponzi and pyramid scheme mechanics
- Recognize elder fraud tactics
- Apply prevention and detection strategies
14
Cyberfraud
7.5%
Information Security and Cyber Threats
Information Security Goals and ControlsElectronic Social Engineering SchemesTypes of MalwareCombatting Insider ThreatsCyberfraud Prevention and DetectionResponding to Cybersecurity Incidents
- Understand information security goals and control objectives
- Identify types of social engineering and malware attacks
- Recognize insider threat indicators
- Apply cyberfraud prevention and detection controls
- Understand incident response procedures
15
Contract and Procurement Fraud
7.5%
Contract and Procurement Fraud Schemes
Basic Elements and Phases of ContractingTypes of Contract and Procurement FraudCollusion and Bid Rigging SchemesPerformance Fraud SchemesRed Flags of Contract and Procurement FraudContract and Procurement Fraud Prevention and Detection
- Understand contract lifecycle and fraud risks
- Identify types of procurement fraud schemes
- Recognize bid rigging and collusion methods
- Apply prevention and detection controls for procurement fraud
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CFE-FT earns the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification. It sits in the Fraud Examination track.
Current Level Exams
- cfe-law - Law
- cfe-investigation - Investigation
- cfe-prevention - Fraud Prevention and Deterrence
Next Level Options
- Advanced CFE Specializations ACFE offers specialized training and certificates in areas like healthcare fraud, cryptocurrency fraud, and digital forensics • Deepen expertise in specific fraud domains
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Complementary internal audit skills
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)IT audit and cybersecurity fraud expertise
Alternative Paths
- Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) CPA-focused forensic accounting credential
- Certified Forensic Accountant (Cr.FA) Government forensic accounting specialization
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) Financial crimes and AML focus
- Certified Computer Forensics Examiner (CCFE) Cyber fraud and digital evidence specialization
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CFE-FT is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-12-07
- Announcement date: 2019-01-01
Updates
- Cryptocurrency Fraud Increasingly covered in Domain 13 (Consumer Fraud) and Domain 14 (Cyberfraud)
- Generative AI Fraud Schemes Expected to be integrated into Domain 14 (Cyberfraud) in future updates
- Real-Time Payment Fraud Covered extensively in Domain 10 (Payment Fraud)
- Data Analytics and Benford's Law Tested in Domain 2 (Financial Statement Fraud) for analytical procedures
Who should take this exam?
Meet CFE eligibility requirements
Have a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution OR equivalent professional experience
- At least two years of professional experience in fraud-related field
- Understanding of basic accounting principles
- Knowledge of fraud examination fundamentals