GTA Chapter News

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 Activitiesf

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

Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter is pleased to have contributed to a fraud awareness article in thrive magazine.

Fraud Alert_Thrive Magazine Issue 29 (Apr 2025).pdf

The leading source for information for and about Canada's community of persons with disabilities, thrive magazine was born out of the need for special-interest media specifically for Canada’s amputee and limb different community and the practitioners and professionals who support it.

This important discussion on fraud awareness and prevention applies to all members of the public, as we all continue to help educate ourselves on how to identify and prevent becoming a victim of the various fraud schemes and scams that are seeming ever-present in today's society.

The main message is to be aware of how these scammers operate and do not fall into their traps. Pause. Breathe. Independently verify with trusted people or phone numbers that are obtained from the back of your financial institution-issued cards.

NEVER give out personally-identifiable information or your PIN or Two-Factor-Verification codes sent to you.

If you receive an unsolicited phone call, email, or text message from someone you don't know, DELETE IT - HANG UP without responding or without clicking on any links.

If you are worried about something the scammer told you, CALL YOUR financial institution using the phone number on the BACK of your Card. NEVER call them back using the number the scammers have you!

Keep
your CURIOSITY
your NAIVETY
your NEED for CONNECTION, and even
your GREED
in check !!

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Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter was represented again this year at the 32nd annual Niagara Counterfeit and Fraud Workshop on May 21 and 22, 2025.

The Workshop is hosted by the Bank of Canada, the Niagara Regional Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is sponsored by Interac and G+D Mobile Security.

The Workshop is an excellent opportunity for the ACFE-GTA Chapter to support ongoing professional education in the counterfeit and fraud arena, 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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