Effective April 12, 2013, the CFFA name and credential was changed to Master Analyst in Financial Forensics™ (MAFF™). Holders of the CFFA may continue to hold themselves out as a CFFA through October 12, 2013, or may adopt the MAFF appellation at any time. After October 12, 2013, they must drop the CFFA appellation, but may use it until October 12, 2014 only to explain the transition to the MAFF credential.

Certified Forensic Financial Analyst™ (CFFA™)

NOW—Seven Specializations to the CFFA Credential

You need look no farther than Accounting Today’s Top 100 niche survey each year to know that the linchpin of professional and practice development is specialization: growth by niche development is cited year in and year out on the radar of the accounting industry’s titans.

NACVA’s Financial Forensics Institute (FFI) was established over 12 years ago in partnership with some of the nation’s top minds and authorities in forensic accounting, law, economics, valuation theory, expert witnessing, and support fundamentals to offer practitioners unparalleled and highly comprehensive training in all facets of forensic financial consulting.

Most recently, the Certified Forensic Financial Analyst™ (CFFA™) designation offered practitioners seven different pathways to acquire the specialized training and concomitant credibility necessary for practice development. But today many CPAs, forensic accountants, valuation experts, and other financial professionals are called upon to render professional services and formulate opinions in legal matters involving bankruptcy and insolvency and in legal matters involving business valuation opinions. Each of these areas has its own set of dynamics, including legal code sections, case law, and other variables, which sets it apart from other areas of forensics and litigation. Thus, the Financial Forensics Institute and the Consultants’ Training Institute have partnered to create educational programs to serve the needs of experts in these two important areas.

Each program—presented by leaders in their respective fields—offers an educational track leading to the CFFA credential. 

Financial Litigation Specialization

The Financial Litigation specialty program requires the five-day Litigation Bootcamp for Financial Experts training, as in the past, designed to provide participants a solid foundation in the role of a financial expert. (Applicants with involvement in 20 different litigation matters, in 10 of which the applicant gave depositions and/or testimony with at least one matter before a jury, may waive this training requirement.) Among other requirements, applicants must have been involved in eight different litigation matters, three of which the applicant gave deposition and/or expert testimony. (This experience requirement can be met by attending the three-day Financial Forensics Institute-sponsored course entitled, Expert Witness Bootcamp.)

Forensic Accounting Specialization

The Forensic Accounting specialty program requires attendance at the five-day Financial Forensics/Forensic Accounting Academy™ plus a three-day litigation workshop entitled, Expert Witness Bootcamp. (Applicants can waive the training requirement to the three-day "Expert Witness Bootcamp" by providing evidence that they were the lead professional on eight reports related to the applicable discipline and have presented their findings to a board of directors, audit committee, or equivalent authoritative body three times. Furthermore, applicants with substantial experience can waive the five-day prerequisite training requirement, but not the four-hour exam, if their experience includes 25 matters or 2,500 hours of forensic accounting experience.) Among other requirements, applicants must have also been involved in ten engagements or have 1,000 hours of experience in the applicable field.

Business and Intellectual Property Damages Specialization

The Business and Intellectual Property Damages specialty program requires attendance at the five-day Business and Intellectual Property Damages Workshop (BIPD), plus the three-day Expert Witness Bootcamp. (Applicants can waive the training requirement to the three-day "Expert Witness Bootcamp"  by providing evidence that of involvement in eight different litigation matters, three of which the applicant gave deposition and or expert testimony. This experience requirement can also be met by attending the two-day NACVA sponsored course entitled, "Forensic Accounting Clinic." Furthermore, applicants with substantial experience can waive the five-day prerequisite training requirement, but not the four-hour exam, if their experience includes 25 matters or 2,500 hours of valuation experience of which 1,500 must be related to business or intellectual property damages matters.) Among other requirements, applicants must have also been involved in ten engagements or have 1,000 hours of experience providing valuation services, 200 of which were in the applicable field.

Matrimonial Litigation Support Specialization

The Matrimonial Litigation Support specialty program requires attendance at the five-day Matrimonial Litigation Support Workshop plus the three-day Expert Witness Bootcamp. (Applicants can waive the training requirement to the three-day "Expert Witness Bootcamp" by providing evidence that of involvement in eight different litigation matters, three of which the applicant gave deposition and or expert testimony. this experience requirement can also be met by attending the two-day NACVA sponsored course entitled, "Forensic Accounting Clinic." Furthermore, applicants with substantial experience can waive the five-day prerequisite training requirement, but not the four-hour exam, if their experience includes 25 matters or 2,500 hours of experience in matrimonial matters, or 2,500 hours of valuation experience of which 1,500 must be related to matrimonial matters.) Among other requirements, applicants must have also been involved in ten engagements in the applicable field or have 1,000 hours of experience providing valuation services, 200 hours of which were in the applicable field.

Business Valuation in Litigation Specialization

The Business Valuation in Litigation specialty program requires attendance at the four-day Business Valuation in Litigation Workshop plus either the two-day Forensic Accounting Clinic or the three-day Expert Witness Bootcamp. (Applicants can waive the training requirement to the "Forensic Accounting Clinic" and Expert Witness Bootcamp, by providing evidence that of involvement in eight different litigation matters, three of which the applicant gave deposition and or expert testimony.) Among other requirements, applicants must also have been involved in ten engagements in the applicable field or have 1,000 hours of experience providing valuation services, 200 hours of which were in connection with litigation.

Bankruptcy/Insolvency Specialization

The Bankruptcy/Insolvency specialty program requires attendance at the four-day Bankruptcy/Insolvency Workshop plus the three-day Expert Witness Bootcamp. Among other requirements, applicants must also have been involved in ten engagements in the applicable field or have 1,000 hours of experience providing valuation services, 200 hours of which were in the area of bankruptcy and insolvency.

Fraud Risk Management Specialization

The Fraud Risk Management specialty program requires attendance at the five–day Fraud Risk Management Workshop, plus a three-day workshop entitled Expert Witness Bootcamp or a two-day workshop entitled Forensic Accounting Clinic. Among other requirements, applicants must also have been involved in ten engagements or have 1,000 hours experience in the applicable field.

For additional details on these five different areas of specialty, any of which can lead to earning the CFFA designation, please call NACVA Member Services: (800) 677-2009.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) offers the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) designation. For more information go to www.aicpa.org.

The National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) offers the Certified Forensic Financial Analyst (CFFA) designation. For more information go to www.nacva.com.