By Lincoln G. Peters
Over a hundred auditors from both the public and private sectors over the weekend graduated with a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) certificate from the Liberia Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (#198) to detect, investigate, and combat corruption and financial waste across the country.
The auditors were trained in various topics: Detecting and Investigating Maritime Frauds, International Financial Reporting Standards for Financial Statement Frauds, and Data Analysis Techniques for Fraud Examiners. Understanding Whistleblower Protection and Challenges, and Ethical Theory for Fraud Examiners HAPTE
The participants were awarded the Anti-Fraud certificate after attending a 20-hour symposium and strategic stakeholders’ training conference aimed at strengthening efforts to combat fraud across the nation.
The certificate awarded to the participants indicates the inscription ‘’FRAUD EXAMINER Liberia Chapter – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (Chapter #198) Certificate of Continuing Professional Education Is hereby granted to JALLAH B. KOLLIE, CFE, CТР For attending 20 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Liberia Chapter – ACFE Anti-Fraud Conference. Date: November 13-15, 2024.”
ACFE-Liberia Chapter, on November 13, 2024, launched a three-day strategic anti-fraud symposium aimed at providing advanced mechanisms and tools to identify, prevent, and address fraudulent activities in both the public and private sectors.
This initiative brings together experts in fraud examination, law enforcement, legal professionals, and government representatives, all working collaboratively to develop comprehensive strategies for tackling fraud. Through focused discussions, workshops, and hands-on training, the event is designed to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills to recognize red flags, investigate fraud cases, and implement effective preventive measures.
The Liberia Chapter’s proactive approach reflects a growing commitment to improving transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in both business and government. The training conference is expected to significantly enhance the capacity of fraud examiners, auditors, and other relevant professionals to curb fraudulent activities that undermine public trust and economic development.
With fraud continuing to be a major challenge to national development, this initiative highlights the importance of ongoing professional development and collaboration among key stakeholders in the fight against corruption and fraudulent practices.
The three-day annual anti-fraud conference took place at the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) in Congo Town, Monrovia, from November 13 to 15, 2024, and was centered around the theme “Together, Reducing Fraud Nationwide.” This event is designed to provide a comprehensive platform for a diverse group of professionals—including Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs), associate members, auditors (internal and external), attorneys, law enforcement agencies, banking and business staff, securities personnel, accountants, detectives, investigators, risk management professionals, and compliance officers.
The conference aims to refresh and broaden the knowledge of participants by exposing them to modern fraud investigation and examination techniques. By doing so, the event will help enhance the skill sets of those tasked with preventing, detecting, and investigating fraud. Additionally, it will emphasize the importance of integrity and professionalism in the execution of duties across all sectors.
With a focus on building capacity and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, the conference will encourage participants to adopt best practices and innovative approaches in the fight against fraud. The goal is to create a unified front that works towards reducing fraud on a national scale, improving transparency, and promoting ethical behavior in both the public and private sectors.
Attendees at the conference had the invaluable opportunity to network, share their experiences, and exchange ideas on contemporary issues affecting various organizations. This collaborative environment allowed participants to discuss challenges and innovative solutions in fraud prevention, detection, and investigation. By learning from one another’s experiences, attendees gained new insights into best practices and effective strategies for combating fraud, both locally and internationally. These interactions also provided a platform for building stronger professional relationships and fostering ongoing cooperation among key stakeholders committed to reducing fraud nationwide.
Remarking after the program and providing the participant’s certificate, Atty. Augustine G. Chenoway expressed appreciation and gratitude to his professional colleagues for their time and patience. According to him, with the knowledge and skills they have acquired, they are now prepared and ready to help arrest corruption and fraud across the country while describing fraud as an anti-development mechanism. ‘’We are doing this training because it’s only by this we can fight corruption. To defeat corruption, we need collective efforts and the rightful education and information therefore, we are training people today. Starting from Monday, November 18, 2024, we will begin the awareness to curb fraud and corruption,’’ he stated.
For his part, Mr. Ernest Hughes, Vice Chairperson of Liberia Anti-Coruption Commission, thanks the ACFE-Liberia Chapter for organizing the program while urging them to do more in advancing and enhancing the fight against corruption. ‘’We want to thank you for the initiative you have embarked on. To admit, as a lecturer and a presenter at this conference, I want to say it was nice interacting with you. Your concerns are expressed, and the questions and interactions demonstrate that you are willing to fight fraud. Now, I want to say to you that it’s a good idea, and the LACC stands ready to work with you through collaboration,’’ he concluded.
Meanwhile, the participants thanked the organizers for organizing what they described as an eye-opening symposium while committing to fighting and addressing fraud in their various places of work. ‘’We want to thank you for enhancing and strengthening our knowledge on fraud. We want to assure you here that the knowledge we have gotten will be properly used at our various places of work. We will ensure that corruption and financial fraud are fought to its zenith to mitigate public and private waste and corruption,’’ they concluded.
