GTA Chapter News

Austin, Texas: After 31 years with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, ACFE President John Gill, CFE will retire on July 15, 2026. His Farewell Message is below:

A PRIVILEGE and an HONOUR TO SERVE the ACFE for 31YEARS

It seems strange to think I’ve spent exactly half my life working for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). In July 1995, I was just 31 years old, looking for a job in the legal field. I’d previously worked for a small law firm in Austin, Texas, handling consumer fraud cases, but I didn’t like litigation and was looking for something different. Then I saw an ad in the newspaper for a legal writer at a company I’d never heard of called the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. I majored in English in college and thought of myself as a decent writer, so I applied. I interviewed for the position with Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, and he hired me. 

In 1995, the ACFE had between 12,000 and 13,000 members and 25 employees. Because of my experience as a lawyer and a writer, I served as general counsel and publications director. I wrote contracts in the morning and content for manuals and courses in the afternoon. Today, the ACFE has more than 95,000 members worldwide and 125 employees. Never did I think that in 2026 I’d still be working here, we’d have nearly 100,000 members and that I’d be president. 

However, as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” I’m officially retiring as ACFE president on July 15, 2026, with 31 years and five days of service to the ACFE and its members. It’s been a privilege and an honor to work with ACFE employees and with the many thousands of members over the years. ACFE members are simply the best. I don’t know how else to describe them. They’re why I can’t walk away entirely from the ACFE. 
After July 15, I’ll have a new title as president emeritus and will continue speaking and teaching for the ACFE. I couldn’t bear the thought of never teaching another CFE Exam Review Course. In 2006, when I developed the first Review Course, I had no interest in teaching it. In fact, my boss, ACFE co-founder and former president, James D. Ratley, CFE, practically dragged me into teaching kicking and screaming. He thought I’d be good at it. I wasn’t so sure. But as usual, Jim turned out to be right. Jim passed away last year, but not a day goes by that I don’t hear him whispering in my ear. He and Dr. Wells taught me a lot, not only about fraud, but about making our members’ experience and satisfaction a top priority.  

Please indulge me in thanking some of the people who’ve made a difference in my life and in the success of the ACFE during my tenure. First and foremost are Joe Wells and Jim Ratley. I’ve tried to carry on their vision for the last three decades. 

My co-workers have been amazing. Jeannette LeVie, CFE, former chief operating officer of the ACFE, and our very first member, Nancy Bradford, CFE, were mentors to me when I first started. I wouldn’t have made it without them. So many other ACFE employees have enriched my personal and professional life. Listing them all would be impossible. (I’ll reach out to you individually.)

In 1996, John Warren, J.D., CFE, joined me on the legal and publications team. We’ve had a wonderful working relationship, and I know John will continue to do a great job for the ACFE as president and CEO. 

Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, has worked with me since she started in 2004. You know it’s time to retire when the person you trained exceeds your accomplishments. Andi will be taking on the role of chief operating officer. She’s one of the few people I know who excels at everything she does. I’m glad I preceded her and didn’t have to follow her. 

Thank you to my wife, Laura, and my son, Adam, for their support over the years and for not making me feel guilty about being away from home so often. 

And last, but not least, thank you to all ACFE members (past and present). It’s been a real pleasure meeting you and working with you. Thank you to all the people who heard me speak and who laughed (or at least chuckled) at my jokes. The biggest joy of my job has been meeting and sharing with my fellow members all around the world. 

I can’t wait to see what the ACFE and its members accomplish in the next 31 years. I’m going to try very hard to make it to 93 so I can see for myself. You may contact John at President@ACFE.com 

Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter announces the Annual General Meeting for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2025, AND a Special Members Meeting to pass an Extraordinary Resolution (as required under the ONCA (2010) will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the Amsterdam Barrel House, 87 Laird Dr, Toronto, Ontario at 6:30 pm and 6:45 pm respectively.

Only Chapter Members in Good Standing (which does not include Chapter Student Affiliates or Chapter Affiliates) may vote at the Annual General Meeting and at the Special Members Meeting. Members may find the relevant documents HERE.

As part of the AGM, the President and Chief Executive Officer will provide a brief overview of the Chapter's work during 2025. 

The two meetings will be held in conjunction with the Chapter's Annual In-Person (only) Networking Event. All Certified Fraud Examiners in the GTA, Central and Southwestern Ontario, as well as all our colleagues involved in financial crime and fraud prevention, detection, deterrence, examination or investigation are welcome to attend the Networking Event. You may register for the Networking Event HERE.

Toronto, ON: The ACFE-GTA was pleased to be one of many sponsors of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) 2026 Bi-Annual International Financial Crimes Investigators Conference (IFCIC) held at the Delta Toronto from March 22 to March 25, 2026.

As a sponsor, the Chapter accepted verified Continuing Professional Education/Development credits from the TPS IFCIC and was able to issue over 250 certificates to attendees to support their credential ongoing training requirements.

The Chapter salutes the many members of the Toronto Police Service, including those who work in the Financial Crime Unit, for hosting a top-notch conference. Great learning! Great speakers! Great networking!

                

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Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter Board of Directors recently approved the 2025 Annual Report, which is attached below.

ACFE-GTA 2025 Report on Chapter Activities

The Chapter takes this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the past year and look forward to another exciting and successful year in 2026.

Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter announced today that it will again be a Silver Sponsor for the York Regional Police Anti-Money Laundering Symposium on October 22 and 23, 2025.

The Symposium  is an excellent opportunity for the ACFE-GTA Chapter to support ongoing professional education in the anti-money laundering, fraud, and other financial crime space, network with and market the Chapter to the many Certified Fraud Examiners who are in attendance, and provide assistance to those who would like to earn their CFE credential.

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Austin, TX: The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is saddened to share news of the recent passing of ACFE President Emeritus James “Jim” D. Ratley, CFE.

Jim passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was 75 years old.

“Without Jim’s encouragement and total belief in the concept, the founding of the ACFE might not have ever happened,” Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, ACFE Founder and Chairman, said. “He was vital to the organization you see today.”

 For 30 years, Jim proudly served the ACFE from its beginning. Following a 16-year career at the Dallas Police Department, Jim relocated to Austin, Texas, in 1986, when he joined Wells & Associates, a forensic accounting practice. In 1988, he was named Program Director for the ACFE, overseeing all aspects of the newly founded organization’s training and education programs.

Jim received the Donald R. Cressey Award in 2005 for lifetime achievement in the detection and deterrence of fraud. In 2006, he was named President of the ACFE, and in 2011, also took the role of CEO until his retirement in 2018. He was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting” by Accounting Today in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

During the ACFE’s early years, Jim and Dr. Wells ran the company, wrote the publications and built the foundation we stand on today. Jim taught thousands of people around the world with such enthusiasm and humour that everyone who heard him speak remembered him. For as great an educator and leader as he was, he was an even better person and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Ross Pry, ACFE Vice-President of Membership recalls that prior to Jim’s retirement from the ACFE after 30 years in 2018, ACFE Chairman and Founder Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, recalled the heart of a man who always went the extra mile. “Once, at an event in Austin, an attendee’s mother broke her leg while out for a walk,” Dr. Wells wrote in Fraud Magazine. “Recovering in the hospital in a distant city, the mother wasn’t alone — Jim visited her every single day. He also encouraged our staff to cheer her up. Moreover, Jim has quietly come to the aid of many people who were in need. He doesn’t talk about it because he isn’t interested in the glory. But those people are eternally grateful.”

The ACFE extends our heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family and loved ones. We kindly ask members to respect their privacy during this time. Out of consideration for the family’s wishes, we will not be sharing further personal details at this time.

The ACFE invites you to share memories and stories you have with Jim here in this thread so that Jim’s family and other ACFE members can celebrate his life and legacy.

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Toronto, ON: The ACFE Foundation would like to announce that the 2026-2027 Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship application period is open. Through this scholarship program, the ACFE Foundation works to encourage university students to pursue anti-fraud career paths. Please help spread the word to qualified individuals.

To be eligible, students must have a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice, or similar fraud-related discipline. Students must also be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university and be enrolled through the 2026-2027 academic year. Undergraduates must be enrolled in 9 semester hours (or equivalent) per term and must be a junior, senior, or at least in the second half of their sophomore year when applying. Graduates must be enrolled in 6 semester hours (or equivalent) per term. Multiple awards are available at the $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,000 levels.

Visit ACFE.com/Scholarship for full eligibility criteria and to access the online application. Applications must be submitted by February 2, 2026. However, we recommend applicants start early to have time to request/upload official transcripts, and to find a professor or employer to complete their professional recommendations.

Additional inquiries can be emailed to Scholarships@ACFE.com.

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Toronto, Ontario: The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, is committed to maintaining the highest standards for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. As part of this commitment, we conducted a comprehensive job analysis study in 2024 to identify the knowledge and skills required to effectively perform and demonstrate proficiency in the fraud examination profession.

The results of this study were used to develop a new outline for the CFE Exam that reflects the industry’s evolution and changes in recent years.

A new version of the CFE Exam based on findings from this job analysis study will launch in June 2026, with revised CFE Exam study materials being released in March 2026. 

How Will the CFE Exam Change?

The updated CFE Exam will ensure that CFE candidates are evaluated on the most current and practical knowledge that fraud examiners need to know. 

The structure of the CFE Exam will also be modified to better reflect advancements in the anti-fraud profession and make the exam more accessible to aspiring CFEs. Starting in June 2026, the CFE Exam will be three sections, each of which will have a different number of questions and allotted exam time. This new format will improve the candidate experience while maintaining the rigour and credibility of the CFE credential.

LEARN MORE

Toronto, Ontario: Today, the ACFE-GTA Chapter emailed all attendees who attended the June 5, 2025 Webinar entitled the "OPP Victim Support Model." The webinar was presented by Staff Sergeant Shauna Marshall and members of her team. Webinar participants asked for some resources they could use to better educate themselves, and we have included those resources in this Chapter News article.

In 2020 the OPP adopted a Framework for a Victim-Centred Approach to ensure a comprehensive, consistent, and structured approach to enhancing programs, policies and processes to better assist and understand the needs of victims/survivors. The inception of the Victim-Centred Approach Team and the Victim Specialist Program ensures victims are aware of, and can access their rights, and that they are supported throughout the criminal justice process. This presentation will provide an overview of the OPP’s Framework for a Victim-Centred Approach and those processes which ensure the OPP are meeting not only their legal obligations as they relate to victims/survivors (inclusive of victims of fraud), but also their moral and ethical obligations by recognizing and respecting an individual’s fundamental human rights.

RESOURCES:

Knowledge Hub- through Western University
This Knowledge Hub is an excellent resource to view upcoming events and pre-recorded webinars on fostering trauma informed practices. Consider strolling through the Hub to see applicable training. Below is the website below and a few webinars that might be appropriate:
       Recorded Webinars | Webinaires enregistrés - Learning Network - Western University

       From Trauma-Informed to Trauma-and Violence-Informed
       Colleen Varcoe - Learning Network - Western University

       What it takes to be a Trauma-informed Organization
       What it takes to be a Trauma-informed Organization - Learning Network – Western University

       Legal Advocacy to End Discrimination Against Women with Disabilities
       Legal Advocacy to End Discrimination Against Women with Disabilities - Learning Network - Western University

       Rethinking Child Welfare Services: Trauma-Informed Approaches
       Rosée Bruneau-Bhérer and Delphine Collin-Vézina - Learning Network - Western University


Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI)
https://ctrinstitute.com/

The CTRI offers training and free resources that address trauma and promotes skills to better understanding and help those experiencing mental health difficulties. This training is excellent if you are looking to broaden your understanding of developing a trauma-informed approach. You can check out the website for various training on similar topics.  Listed below is an upcoming webinar that may interest you:

       Trauma Informed Care- Building a Culture of Strength
       https://ctrinstitute.com/workshops/live-virtual-trauma-informed-care-3-08-19-2025/
       Date: August 19^th, 2025 09:00-16:30


Canadian Red Cross- Psychological aid Training
https://www.redcross.ca/training-and-certification/course-descriptions/psychological-first-aid

-Psychological First Aid (PFA) is about taking care of yourself – your thoughts, feelings and emotions when you have experienced stress, crisis, or trauma – and then being there for family, friends, and community when they are having difficulty coping.

-Learn how to anticipate stress and crisis whenever possible and equip yourself with the skill-set to practice self-care and to provide care for others during particularly challenging times. Unlike mental health first aid, which trains people to help someone during a mental health emergency, Red Cross Psychological First Aid teaches you how to build up resiliency to stress and establish coping strategies for stress and trauma.

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Austin, Texas: The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) has announced a new 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge starting September 1, 2025. If you are thinking about earning your Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Credential, this is an excellent way to make that a reality.

You will receive a monthly study plan and additional study tips every two weeks to help you complete important tasks and meet milestones along the way. Weekly check-ins help you meet all your small goals along the way to passing the CFE Exam. You will be a member of a private group in the ACFE Community, where you can exchange study tips and encouragement with fellow future CFEs.

Click here for more information and to register