GTA Chapter News

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-GTA Chapter  is pleased to announce that we have been invited by the club executive to speak at the school year kick-off event of the Future Business Leaders of Canada Club at Bayview Secondary School (Richmond Hill, Ontario) in early September. Bayview Secondary School offers the International Baccalaureate program, which promotes education and academic excellence

Mark McManus, Chapter President and Chief Executive Officer will briefly explain the mission and role of the ACFE and the ACFE-GTA Chapter, and then present a short talk titled "Two Proven Concepts to help guide Future Business Leaders".

Future Business Leaders of Canada is the largest student business organization in Canada. FBLC members are self-motivated, high-achieving leaders who network with like-minded peers, earn international recognition, attend exciting conferences, and learn how to excel in the business world. The FBLC's annual event, the Canadian National Leadership Conference, brings together students from across the country to compete, network and learn. There are over 150 active FBLC clubs across Canada with approximately 2,000 active members.

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)is the world's largest anti-fraud organization. Together with more than 95,000 members, the ACFE works to reduce business fraud, and other financial crime worldwide as well as inspire public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession. By delivering best-in-class training, offering the CFE credential, and fostering a dynamic, global community of anti-fraud professionals, the ACFE is reducing fraud, corruption, and other financial crime worldwide, and assisting the membership in its detection and deterrence.

Serving the Greater Toronto Area, the Golden Horseshoe and Beyond, the ACFE-GTA Chapter is one of more than 200 ACFE Chapters worldwide recognized by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. The GTA Chapter supports the mission of the ACFE by:

• Delivering affordable, accessible, best-in-class training to Certified Fraud Examiners and others interested in fighting fraud and other financial crime,
• Fostering a dynamic and interactive local network of anti-fraud professionals, and
• Encouraging the next generation of anti-fraud professionals through outreach programs to local schools, colleges, and universities.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a not for profit foundation, motivated by its mission to create a better world through education. The Programme was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968 and as of June 2016 has grown to include 3000 World Schools offering the Diploma Programme. The Programme​ “offers a curriculum that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected”. It is designed for motivated students between the ages of 16 and 19 and promotes “healthy relationships, ethical responsibility and personal challenge". The Programme helps students to develop “the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success”. Successful applicants participate in an enriched course of study during Grade 9 and 10, and begin the IB Diploma Programme in their Grade 11 year. Students in the IB Programme in Ontario earn both the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

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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 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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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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Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter announces the Annual General Meeting for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2024, AND a Special Members Meeting to pass an Extraordinary Resolution (as required under the ONCA (2010) will be held on Thursday June 19, 2025 at the Amsterdam Barrel House, 87 Laird Dr, Toronto, Ontario at 6:30 pm and 6:45 pm respectively.

Only Paid-Up 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 2024 

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