Since its launch in April 2021, the CIPFA Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship has gone from strength to strength. It is the only programme that includes the Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) (this is optional and additional fees apply). It has been mapped to the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) investigation core discipline and provides direct entry into the GCFP. It has also received some excellent feedback from those who have employed CIPFA apprentices – read their comments below.
John Stalley, Senior Investigations Officer, Wealden District Council
We researched all of the counter fraud investigator apprenticeship providers and felt that CIPFA was able to offer the best support and value for our apprentice. We were not disappointed, there has been good communication and there is plenty of support, help and progress reports. All of the core knowledge, skills and behaviours are covered and tested, and Wealden District Council will definitely consider CIPFA for our next apprentice.
David Houghton-Rose, Group Head of Profit Protection and Payments, Wiggle CRC
It has been a delight to see the growth in my team members as they progress through the CIPFA Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship. They have taken the lead in establishing best practice, greater compliance and are becoming true SMEs within our business. I have been especially pleased with the course structure, the quality of materials and above all the expertise and experience of the teaching staff.
Peter Farrow, Head of Audit (Shared), City of Wolverhampton Council
Combatting fraud has never been more important. We welcome CIPFA’s dedicated investigator programme, as having trained and skilled investigators is key to helping organisations address the ongoing risk of fraud. We’re using the apprenticeship to develop the skills of one of our fraud investigators, and the structured support offered by CIPFA has been of great help.
Steven Graham, Fraud Manager, Durham County Council
CIPFA and especially Heidi, have worked collaboratively with us to make the counter fraud apprenticeship programme a success. The structure and materials are of a very high standard and I know that my apprentice is gaining the knowledge, skills and behaviours to flourish as an investigator and be an asset to the team. I would highly recommend this course.
Michaela Lambart, Fraud Manager, Reigate and Banstead Council
The CIPFA Level 4 Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship programme is of the highest standard. The training materials have been informative and provide a high level of detail to help the apprentice through the programme. The two years are well organised so that the manager and the apprentice in an organisation can plan. There is always support from the CIPFA team and though this is not an easy apprenticeship, I have no doubt that once my apprentices complete their programme, they will have the expertise they need to be high quality Fraud Investigation Officers. I would strongly recommend this programme.
Nicholas Rozee, OD Consultant, Crawley Borough Council
Heidi [Loren de Sousa] has provided outstanding, and much appreciated, advice, guidance and support. From helping us decide if the Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship Standard is right for us, advertising and recruiting to our apprenticeship opportunity through to getting our new colleague off to a great start, she has been instrumental in our success. We are really looking forward to continuing to work with Heidi and the CIPFA team in the months ahead and seeing our apprentice flourish in their new career, knowing we’re in good hands.
Mark Hunte, Apprenticeship and Placements Manager, Enfield Council
The support we received at Enfield Council from CIPFA in recruiting our first Counter Fraud Investigator Apprentice was great. We worked collaboratively with the CIPFA team, who understood our recruitment requirements and were an essential part of our candidate shortlisting process. We were given clear guidance and feedback as to the requirements of the apprenticeship and really useful details on the schedule of learning, all of which was invaluable to our successful recruitment campaign.
Natalie Broadhurst, Fraud and Litigation Team Leader, Exchequer Services, Trafford Council
The CIPFA Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship process has been a real eye opener and the support we have received has been excellent right from the very start, not only for the apprentice but for me as her manager as well. Our officer is getting more than I imagined from the course tutors and has outstanding materials for her to look back on and use for years to come. I would highly recommend this course to anyone with new officers as the apprenticeship content is so informative and in-depth while being very well structured.
Contact us
The CIPFA Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship has two intakes a year, one starting in April and one starting in October. To start the process or find out more about CIPFA apprenticeships get in touch with the team today: apprenticeships@cipfa.org