Institute of Criminal Justice Studies

Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board

Background

The Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board (CFPAB) was created in 2001 from the merger of the National Counter Fraud Accreditation Board and the NHS National Professional Accreditation Board.

The CFPAB has representatives from both the public and private sectors, including:

• Department for Work and Pensions
• Job Centre Plus
• Local Authorities in Britain
• Department of Health
• NHS Protect 
• HM Revenue and Customs
• Identity and Passport Service
• Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission
• Questgates
• KPMG
• CIPFA
• National Fraud Authority
• ACPO
• University of Portsmouth

The CFPAB seeks to undertake the following role across the United Kingdom:

• To establish and maintain professional standards in the delivery of a portfolio of professional training courses in the field of counter fraud work, encompassing a 'Foundation Level' syllabus and qualification
• To formally recognise the successful completion of a portfolio of professional training courses in the field of counter fraud work encompassing a 'Foundation Level' syllabus and qualification
• To oversee the delivery of the training courses taking into account the quality and effectiveness of the courses
• To ensure that individual courses, and the portfolio of courses as a whole, are conducted so that Higher Education credits can be awarded, and that in particular a recommended credit rating is communicated to the Higher Education Institutions
• To establish and maintain professional standards in the delivery of an 'Advanced Level' counter fraud qualification based on an agreed common syllabus, to be delivered by higher education institutions and resulting in an Award at Certificate of Higher Education level
• To formally recognise the successful completion of the 'Advanced Level' counter fraud qualification with the award of Certified Counter Fraud Specialist (CCFS) status and Graduate Counter Fraud Specialist (GCFS) status
• To actively promote professional training for counter fraud specialists and to work with organisations with a common interest in the development of professional training and access to relevant programmes of Higher Education

Awards of CFPAB

• Accredited Counter Fraud Technician
• Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist
• Accredited Counter Fraud Intelligence Specialist
• Accredited Counter Fraud Manager
• Accredited Counter Fraud Trainer
• Accredited Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption Specialist (International)
• Certified Counter Fraud Specialist
• Graduate Counter Fraud Specialist

As of January 2012 the CFPAB had made over 12,500 awards.

What is the value of the CFPAB awards?

A frequent question is: what are the CFPAB awards worth? The standards the CFPAB set are as follows.

• ACFS at least 40 Level 4 credits at a Higher Education Institution. Note ACFO is the same as ACFS, it was replaced with ACFS. ACFO should therefore be treated the same as ACFS.
• ACFM if studied alone is at least 40 Level 4 credits at a Higher Education Institution. However, some candidates with ACFS do a top up to secure ACFM. There is no credit limit set by the CFPAB for these.
• ACFTech at least 10 Level 4 credits at a Higher Education Institution.
• ACFT has no minimum credit rating.

Please note Level 4 is the equivalent of the first year of an undergraduate degree, an NVQ Level 4 or a BTEC Level 4. In an undergraduate degree there are 120 credits in a level, so 40 credits is the equivalent of one third of the year. Some ACFS courses which are accredited by Higher Education Institutions are worth more than 40 credits. The CFPAB requirement is for at least 40 credits. For further information on the National Qualifications framework click here.

So when the question is asked how does the ACFS compare to an NVQ Level 4 in Investigation, the answer is that they are both the same level on the National Qualifications Framework.

CCFS is 120 Level 4 credits and is achieved by the completion of a recognised Certificate of Higher Education at a Higher Education Institution. ACFS must form part of this course.

GCFS is achieved by a recognised BSc (Hons) degree or Masters degree, but the candidate must hold ACFS.

How do I secure a CFPAB award?

The following companies/organisations offer individuals the opportunity to register on courses which have been approved by the CFPAB.

Focus Training Company (ACFS)
08709 194745
info@focustraining.co.uk

NHS Protect (ACFS)
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Protect.aspx  Then click on counter fraud training.
02476 245500
training@nhsprotect.gsi.gov.uk

RMH Training Services (ACFS)
01636 593990
www.rmhadmin.co.uk
admin@rmhadmin.co.uk

RNA Training Company Ltd (also trading as Robert Naylor Associates) (ACFS)
020 7608 5124 - ask for Robert Naylor or Nick Osborn
www.rna-training.co.uk
Robert@rna-training.co.uk

QuestGates Ltd, Birmingham (ACFS, ACFTech)
07967 643231
www.questgates.co.uk
Andrew.whittaker@questgates.co.uk

VFM, (ACFTech)
Tel: 01733 404817             
Fax:  08445 678080
http://www.vfm-services.com/
Email: SallyGriffiths@vfm-services.com

Some of the Government department members of the board also have approved training, but do not generally offer it on a commercial basis such as DWP/Jobcentre Plus and HM Revenue and Customs. Those wishing to make contact with these bodies should do so via the Secretariat.

 This list is collated alphabetically and has no order of preference.

The Current Officers of the Board

Chair of the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board: John Rosenbloom - Head of Fraud Investigations, Greater Manchester Council

Vice-Chair of the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board: Paul Tiffen - Quality and Compliance Development Manager, NHS Protect

Chair Training and Education Committee: Andrew Whittaker - Questgates

Head of Secretariat of the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board:  Professor Mark Button, Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth

Publications

Constitution of the CFPAB

Course Approval Procedures for the CFPAB

Annual Report 2011

Forms of the CFPAB

Stage 1 Approval Form for Prospective Accredited Courses

Stage 3 Approval Form for Prospective Accredited Courses

Accredited Course 3 Year Review Form (CFPAB Form Rev 3)

Application Form for Accredited Counter Fraud Trainer

For more information on the work of the CFPAB please contact

Karen Nixon
Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth PO1 2HY
Telephone: +44 (0)23 9284 5219
Fax: +44 (0)23 9284 3918
Email: karen.nixon@port.ac.uk

Relevant websites

• Department for Work and Pensions
• NHS Protect
• Local Authority Investigation Officers Group
• Institute of Counter Fraud Specialists
• National Fraud Authority

Register to receive more information

Counter fraud staff who possess a professional award can register to receive more information on the work of the CFPAB. Complete the form below and return it to the above address.