2026 ACFE Award Nominations

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS CRITERIA:

Certified Fraud Examiner of the Year

The Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) of the Year Award recognises a Certified Fraud Examiner who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional excellence, and significant contributions to the field of fraud examination, fraud prevention, and anti-corruption efforts.

Criteria:

• A CFE in good standing.
• Demonstrated innovation in the development or implementation of anti-fraud tools, controls, investigative techniques, or fraud risk methodologies.
• Contributed to the ACFE SA through active participation on local or international level. Participation includes: Board or Regional involvement;  published articles; ACFE SA event speaker participation; or presentations on topical subjects.
• Played a significant role in the investigation, detection, prevention, or prosecution of major fraud, corruption, or financial crime matters.
• Made a meaningful contribution to advancing the fraud examination profession locally or internationally.

Requirements:

• Registered as a CFE with the local South African Chapter.
• CFE status in good standing.
• Strong ethical and professional values in adherence to the ACFE Code of Conduct and Professional Standards.

Junior Certified Fraud Examiner of the Year

The Junior Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) of the Year Award recognises a young anti-fraud professional under the age of 35 who has demonstrated exceptional achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to the fraud examination profession.

Criteria:

• A CFE in good standing.
• Must demonstrate the impact they have on other potential CFEs.
• Demonstrated mentorship, advocacy, or inspiration of aspiring Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs).
• Demonstrated measurable impact within their organisation, industry, or community through anti-fraud, ethics, or compliance initiatives.
• Must be able to motivate how being a CFE has contributed, or will continue tol contribute, to their respective career.
• Demonstrate contribution and participation within the ACFE SA and ACFE community.

Requirements:

• Registered as a CFE with the local South African Chapter.
• CFE status in good standing.
• CFE under the age of 35.
• Strong ethical and professional values in adherence to the ACFE Code of Conduct and Professional Standards.

Contribution to the Anti-Fraud Profession
(South Africa & Africa)

This award recognises an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to strengthening the anti-fraud profession, promoting ethical conduct, and advancing fraud prevention and anti-corruption efforts in South Africa and Africa.

Criteria:

• Must demonstrate a noteworthy effort towards enhancing the reputation and positioning of this profession in South Africa or Africa.
• Proven peer recognition of leadership/competence/contribution to the profession, locally and/or internationally.
• This individual or organisation advocates the importance of belonging to the ACFE SA as a registered professional body.
• This individual might be responsible for ensuring growth in membership in the public and/or public sector.
• Demonstrated courage, resilience, and commitment in the fight against fraud and corruption despite significant challenges.

Requirements:

• Any individuals or organisation is eligible to receive this award.

Educator of the Year Award

The Educator of the Year Award recognises an educator or academic institution that has made an outstanding contribution to anti-fraud education, forensic investigation training, and the development of future fraud examination professionals.

Criteria:

• Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration within academia to advance awareness of the fraud examination profession.
• Contributed significantly to the development and training of future Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs).
• Made significant contributions towards enhancing the educational standing of the forensic profession in South Africa.
• Demonstrated active involvement within the ACFE SA and ACFE SA community.
• Involvement in Anti-fraud curriculum development is an advantage.
• Demonstrated community involvement.

Requirements:

• Educators or academic institutions involved in forensic study fields. Preference will be given to nominees who have attained or are studying towards the CFE status. 

Investigative Journalist of the Year Award

The Investigative Journalist of the Year Award is presented to a journalist whose determination, integrity and commitment to the truth have contributed to the fight against fraud. Nominees are chosen based upon their contributions in exposing specific acts of fraud and white-collar crime, or issues central to fraud and worldwide prevention and detection efforts

Honorary Member of the ACFE SA

ACFE SA Honorary Membership is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the organisation.

The Honorary Member of the year Award honours and recognises honorary members who have illustrated commitment and integrity through exceptional contributions toward the development of the organization and the fight against crime. This award is not intended solely to recognise long-term membership, but rather meaningful and lasting contributions to the organisation and the anti-fraud profession.

Candidates who will be considered:

• Founding members and Past Chapter Presidents.
• Members who served on the Board for five years or more.
• Individuals who often assist with ACFE SA training and events without compensation.
• Any individual recognised for outstanding political, business, cultural, scientific or social contributions that reflect ACFE SA principles.
• Award Honorary Life membership to promote our organisation and further its impact.

Criteria:

• Preference will be given to CFEs.
• Non-members need to demonstrate significant strides in the anti-fraud space, especially on a public or international level.
• Nominations will be submitted for consideration to the EXCO. The approval of the majority of the members of the EXCO will be required.

Group Awards Criteria

Corporate Member of the Year Award
(Private Sector & Public Sector)

The Corporate Member of the Year Award recognises an organisation that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to fraud prevention, professional development, ethics, and support for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation.

Criteria:

• This organisation has a programme in place that actively supports employees in obtaining and maintaining the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation.
• The organisation actively promotes its association with ACFE SA and the anti-fraud profession through internal and external communications.

Requirements:

• An ACFE SA Corporate Member/Sponsor for more than five consecutive years.

Regional Committee of the Year Award

This award recognises a regional committee that has demonstrated excellence in member engagement, professional development, anti-fraud education, and the promotion of the ACFE SA brand within its region.

Criteria:

• Demonstrates the ability to provide a detailed training plan setting out potential speakers, topics and venues during November / December before the annual ACFE SA training calendar is published.
• Approached and secured sponsorships for events and venues.
• Participated in community initiatives involving other role players and professional bodies.
• Contributed to the development of the CFE designation and overall brand of the ACFE within their region.
• Ensured that all events reflect the professionalism, standards, and reputation of ACFE SA.
• Met administrative and logistical guidelines set by the chapter.
• Had regular committee meetings.
• Regularly interacted with the attendees to ensure that they are up to date with the needs of the community.

The ACFE SA Chapter recognises that without the assistance of the Regional Committees, we will struggle to provide a professional service to our members. Where we are required to provide a minimum of 8 CPE hours annually, the ACFE SA, with the assistance of the regional committees, provides more than 150 hours annually. We want to thank all regions.

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Africa Chapter of the year:

This award recognises a regional committee that has demonstrated excellence in member engagement, professional development, anti-fraud education, and the promotion of the ACFE SA brand within its region.

Criteria:

• Establishing strong foundations in their country and in Africa.
• Successfully hosted events and community projects.
• Approached and secured sponsorships for events and venues.
• Participated in community initiatives involving strategic partners and other professional bodies.
• Contributed to the development of the CFE designation and overall brand of the ACFE within their region.
• Ensured that all events reflect the professionalism, standards, and reputation of the ACFE.
• Advancing critical discussion to promote and advance the forensic profession.

Requirements:

• Must be an official Chapter recognised by the ACFE.

The ACFE SA Awards recognise outstanding individuals, organisations, educators, investigators, journalists, and anti-fraud professionals who have demonstrated excellence in fraud examination, forensic investigation, fraud prevention, ethics, and anti-corruption efforts in South Africa and across Africa.