Chapter Profile - Melbourne Chapter #89
/The ACFE Melbourne Chapter was originally formed in January 1998 and was one of the first ACFE chapters formed outside of North America. Their dedicated board of nine chapter leaders includes both new members as well as veteran leadership, which gives the board an opportunity to have new ideas and a wealth of experience.
ACFE Melbourne Chapter President, Elenore Cox, CFE, leading a panel discussion during International fraud awareness week.
The Melbourne Chapter is one of several chapters that do not charge a membership fee to be part of the chapter. Anybody who is a member of the ACFE may be a member of the chapter. The Melbourne Chapter serves more than 240 members, most of whom are CFEs. While they do not charge a chapter membership fee, they collect fees from the events they hold, all of which include a breakfast or lunch. The chapter currently offers events during breakfast and lunch; however, they plan on expanding their events in 2021 to include at least one full-day event per year.
Interesting events they’ve held
Over the past 12 months, they’ve held events on open-source intelligence, current fraud trends, highlights from the 30th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference, and an ethics event titled “Origins of Ethical Failures.”
In light of the current pandemic situation, they are now planning a webinar event instead of the typical in-person events to ensure members stay informed and connected during this time.
Their greatest achievement
The Melbourne Chapter has been able to offer various presentation topics and styles over the past couple of years. By offering so many different types of events, they have members across all industries attending their events.
ACFE Melbourne Chapter Director, Jennifer Banks, CFE, leading a presentation on Open Source Intelligence.
They have held sessions that include a live interview with a convicted insider trader, showed a documentary viewing of a fraudster from Illinois, held a debate between an academic professional and a lawyer on cryptocurrency and fraud trends moderated by their former chapter president Roger Darvall-Stevens.
Their attendance has remained consistent at around 50 for each of their events, which is large enough to consider it a successful event, but at the same time intimate enough for networking and discussion prior to and after the presentations.
Chapter recognition
The Melbourne Chapter works very closely and brings together a vast range of experience, knowledge, and industries. They have executives from the Big 4 accounting firms and banks, mid-tier firms, government agencies, and academia.
All of the Melbourne Chapter executives contribute in different ways and over varying time periods. However, they would really like to acknowledge Steven Coulson for his dedication to the chapter as he finishes up after ten years as treasurer next month. Steve has been the backbone of the Melbourne Chapter and has been a massive contributor to the chapter and its members. They would like to thank Steve for his amazing contribution and loyalty to the ACFE Melbourne Chapter and wish him well for the future.
ACFE Melbourne Chapter Vice President, Angela Clancy, CFE, introducing the speakers for their cryptocurrency debate (Legal vs Academic) event.
A learning experience
The Melbourne Chapter lacked a formal website. Until recently, they only had a LinkedIn company page. They were fortunate to find a volunteer through a graduate program named Alexandra Caldow, who was able to set up a full website for the chapter.
What can other chapters learn from this experience?
They aim to effectively communicate key information and news, typically via email or LinkedIn, to their members; however, they were missing a market for new and potential members by not having a website searchable to those who weren't already members. The website also contains useful information, links, and contact information for existing members and those who follow the chapter on LinkedIn.
For those chapters that do not have a website dedicated to their chapter and one that links back to the ACFE headquarters, they strongly suggest having one created and it doesn't have to cost much.
Recruiting new members
Chapter leader periodically present to some universities in Melbourne to discuss the ACFE offerings and open up discussion around potential career opportunities for students in forensics and fraud. They also contribute to a key university that equally supports the chapter and presents an award on behalf of the chapter at their ceremony each year to the top student in the subject.
ACFE Melbourne Chapter Director, Adeline Shelley, CFE, presenting the chapter’s yearly Swinburne ACFE Melbourne Chapter Award to Rachael Goldberg.
They also offer discounts on their events for students, non-ACFE members, and to the student who created the chapter’s website. They offered a yearly event pass for the student’s contribution of which they hope she gets a lot out of. In turn, they also hope she can be an advocate for the ACFE and the Melbourne Chapter at her university and share with her peers.
Chapter Goals
They aim to increase awareness across more universities, to host a one-day seminar early next year, and continually add value to its members.
Advice for other chapters
Listen to member and executive feedback, brainstorm ideas, and consider tapping an ACFE member on the shoulder to present at your next event. All members have their own experiences and we could all learn something from each other (at no cost, or the cost of a cup of coffee and Danish).
