Chapter Profile - Serbia Chapter #226

The ACFE Serbia Chapter was formed less than a year ago, and within just a couple of months, they held their first event and have stayed busy ever since. In the short time they have been active, the chapter hosted five training events with high-profile speakers, held live interviews with two whistleblowers at their conference during Fraud Week, and has increased its visibility throughout the country and neighboring countries.

Since the founding of the Serbia Chapter, ACFE membership in Serbia has nearly doubled. To recruit new chapter members, they promote the chapter’s activities using the ACFE member list and their own professional contacts. They are also active on social media and discuss ACFE and chapter membership, their events and other organizations’ events where they are participating.

Serbia Chapter Vice President Maja Matic, CFE, moderating whistleblower protection panel

A unique training opportunity

At their last event, they had a live interview with two whistleblowers. The audience had a chance to hear their stories, understand the reasons why they did it and ask questions. While the format was not unique, the experience was different and unforgettable to its chapter members.

Their greatest achievement

As a newly established chapter of only a few months, they organized events presented by seasoned professionals. Presentations included speakers representing the FBI, prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice and experts in financial forensics. They also hosted the president and training director of the Bulgarian ACFE chapter, the president of the Greek ACFE chapter, representatives of local bank associations, and the Chambers of Commerce.

They also hosted an event in conjunction with Fraud Week called, “Stepping Into International Fraud Awareness Week – Raising Awareness and Revealing Fraud.” More than 80 people attended the event. Multidisciplinary topics were addressed, ranging from cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, to cross-border and corporate investigation and whistleblower process. Media representatives supported the event as well as the ACFE U.K. Chapter President, Tim Harvey, CFE.

Chapter recognition

Tim Harvey, CFE (speaking) with Zarko Vukadinovic, CFE, Serbia Chapter President

All board members have done great jobs. However, they would like to express their gratitude to their training director, Vesna Vlaisavljevic, CFE. She has connected the chapter with sponsors and provided the budget for organizing their fraud awareness week event.

Future Goals

As a young chapter, they started with free events in order to attract more members and to demonstrate value. The plan for 2020 is to move from free events to events with a registration fee, which will create a sustainable environment for the chapter’s development and planned activities. Of course, they will offer different fees for members and non-members. Additionally, one of their top priorities is to increase visibility locally and regionally and to emphasize the role of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) in the fight against fraud and corruption.