Discover Your Signal Type: What Kind of Beacon Are You?

The theme of “Be the Beacon” captures the spirit of the 37th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference and the fraud fighters who make it possible.  

Inspired by the iconic Boston Light in the Boston Harbor, “Be the Beacon” reflects something simple but powerful: Guidance takes many forms. A lighthouse doesn’t change what it is depending on the weather; it stands steady and visible, helping others navigate the unknown and find their way.  

Fraud examiners are no different. In moments of complexity, pressure and uncertainty, anti-fraud professionals naturally step into different kinds of leadership. Some bring stability. Some are visionaries. Some drive action. Some bring clarity when things get complicated.  

Whether you’ll be in Boston or attending virtually, we created a short quiz to help you discover your “Signal Type.” This type reflects how you best show up in the fight against fraud in your work and on your teams. Based on your quiz results, you will get session recommendations tailored to match your strengths, curiosity and natural way of thinking. 

While you may identify most with one type, you may see yourself in more than one. Your approach may also shift depending on the challenge or where you are in your career.  

Every fraud fighter brings a different perspective. When these strengths come together, we ask better questions, solve more complex problems and help one another navigate what’s ahead. No matter your result, every signal helps light the way.  

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Results and Recommended Sessions

Jump to your results: Steady Light | Wide Beam | Guiding Flash | Focused Beam

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Steady Light: Reliable, consistent and trusted. 

You are the person others turn to when things feel uncertain. You help keep teams grounded during challenges and are willing to step in and take care of what needs to be done. You bring calm to complexity. “I’ve got this handled.” 

The sessions recommended for Steady Light types focus on leadership, communication, ethics and organizational resilience. These sessions explore how fraud fighters can influence culture, build stronger teams and create lasting change. 

Recommended Sessions:

• 2A: Everyone’s Problem, No One’s Job? Building Fraud-Resilient Organizations

  Monday, July 13 | 10:15 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 

  Session Level: Basic 

  Field of Study: Business Management & Organization 

  Recommended Prerequisite: None 

• 6I: Moral Licensing: When Good People Justify Bad Decisions (Virtual Only)

  Tuesday, July 14 | 07:30 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1 | Ethics CPE: Yes 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Basic understanding of fraud risk factors, including the Fraud Triangle; Familiarity with common types of occupational fraud and ethical violations; Awareness of organizational ethics programs or codes of conduct.

• 10G: Case Studies: Ethics, Professional Standards and Conflicts of Interest (In-Person Only)

  Tuesday, July 14 | 02:20 PM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: Yes 

  Session Level: Advanced 

  Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Basic understanding of investigative techniques and legal process in criminal cases. 

• 11D: Nobody’s Fool: Fraud and Behavioral Science in Today’s World

  Tuesday, July 14 | 03:55 PM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: Yes 

  Session Level: Basic 

  Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics 

  Recommended Prerequisite: None 

• 14D: When Culture Speaks Louder Than Controls: How Leadership Shapes Fraud Risk

  Wednesday, July 15 | 10:35 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: Yes 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Knowledge of governance, risk management, internal controls. Experience in senior stakeholder management. 

Wide Beam: Strategic, visionary and a natural connector.

You see the bigger picture and help others connect ideas, people and opportunities. You help teams think one step ahead and often ask, “What are we missing?”  

The sessions recommended for Wide Beam types explore emerging risks, future trends, innovation and strategic leadership. These sessions are designed for fraud fighters who want to understand how the profession is evolving and how organizations can prepare for what comes next. 

Recommended Sessions:

• 4D: Control Is a Lie: Why Complexity Has Outpaced Your Governance

  Monday, July 13 | 01:50 PM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 

  Session Level: Advanced 

  Field of Study: Auditing 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Prior experience conducting fraud investigations and examinations; Familiarity with traditional internal controls and prevention techniques. 

• 6E: Fraud as a Side Hustle: What Is Fueling the Rise of Insider Fraud?

  Tuesday, July 14 | 07:30 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1 | Ethics CPE: Yes 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Experience conducting fraud investigations and/or a specialized concentration on investigating internal or employee fraud cases. 

• 13D: The Fraud Triangle Across Borders: When Pressure, Opportunity and Culture Collide

  Wednesday, July 15 | 09:00 AM Eastern Time  

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: Yes 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of fraud risk management and internal controls.

• 14A: Resilience by Design: The Future of Fraud Risk Management

  Wednesday, July 15 | 10:35 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 

  Session Level: Advanced 

  Field of Study: Management Services 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Attendees should have a foundational understanding of traditional fraud risk management practices such as detection systems, anti-fraud controls, and governance frameworks. 

Guiding Flash: Decisive, action-oriented and adaptable.

You help turn discussion into momentum. When teams get stuck, you are the one willing to test ideas, move things forward and say, “Let’s try it.” 

The sessions recommended for Guiding Flash types focus on investigations, real-world case studies, crisis response and practical tools you can apply immediately. These sessions highlight how fraud fighters turn information into action and navigate complex situations with confidence.

Recommended Sessions:  

• 5C: The Karen Read Trial: Inside the Evidence, Part 1

  Monday, July 13 | 03:25 PM Eastern Time 
  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 
  Session Level: Overview 
  Field of Study: Information Technology 
  Recommended Prerequisite: None 

• 6G: Fraud Risk Assessment: A New Model and New Approach (In-Person Only)

  Tuesday, July 14 | 07:30 AM Eastern Time 
  CPE: 1 | Ethics CPE: No 
  Session Level: Advanced 
  Field of Study: Auditing 
  Recommended Prerequisite: Participants should have prior experience preparing Fraud Risk Assessments and performing Fraud Data Analytics on Core Business Systems. 

• 13C: How a Single Complaint Triggered Citywide Reform

  Wednesday, July 15 | 09:00 AM Eastern Time 
  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: Yes 
  Session Level: Overview 
  Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics 
  Recommended Prerequisite: None 

• 14G: Workshop: The Fraud Game: Real Grant Fraud-Fighting Tactics You Can Use Immediately (In-Person Only)

  Wednesday, July 15 | 10:35 AM Eastern Time 
  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 
  Session Level: Basic 
  Field of Study: Auditing 
  Recommended Prerequisite: None 

Focused Beam: Analytical, precise and methodical.

You bring structure to complexity and clarity to uncertainty. You rely on data, expertise, and careful reasoning to help others make informed decisions. “Let’s look at the data.” 

The sessions recommended for Focused Beam types dive into data, technology, investigations and specialized methodologies. These sessions are ideal for professionals looking to sharpen their technical skills and strengthen their ability to identify, analyze and respond to fraud risks. 

Recommended Sessions:

• 2D: When Listening Matters Most: Leveraging Science and Research to Interview Victims Effectively

  Monday, July 13 | 10:15 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: Yes 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Communications and Marketing 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Attendees should have a basic understanding of investigative interviewing or general investigative practices. 

• 8J: The Missing Link: Why IA and Fraud Teams Struggle and How ISO 37008 Can Help

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Management Services 

  Recommended Prerequisite: A working knowledge of fraud risk management fundamentals. *Familiarity with internal audit roles, responsibilities, and independence considerations.

• 10B: Revolutionizing Fraud Detection with OSINT: A Fraud Investigator’s Toolkit

  Tuesday, July 14 | 02:20 PM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Information Technology 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of the fraud investigation life cycle; Familiarity with common online tools. 

• 13H: Panel: From Reactive to Proactive: Using KRIs and KPIs to Predict and Prevent Fraud Loss (In-Person Only)

  Wednesday, July 15 | 09:00 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 

  Session Level: Overview 

  Field of Study: Auditing 

  Recommended Prerequisite: None 

• 13I: Mortgage Fraud in Today's Housing Market: Emerging Risks and Proven Strategies for Detection (Virtual Only)

  Wednesday, July 15 | 09:00 AM Eastern Time 

  CPE: 1.5 | Ethics CPE: No 

  Session Level: Intermediate 

  Field of Study: Accounting 

  Recommended Prerequisite: Knowledge of financial documentation review, including tax returns, pay stubs and bank statements; Familiarity with fraud examination techniques and red flag identification in financial services or lending.