The Shield of Integrity: The Formation and Purpose of The Association of Financial Forensic Experts (The AFFE) in Pakistan. 1.
Eligibility for FFE Program
- Candidates from any discipline with 50% or above marks and a minimum of 18 years of age are eligible to register/enrol into the Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program.
- Candidates in their final year Bachelor’s Degree Courses who are expecting the results within three months from the date of submitting the Application to The Association of Financial Forensic Experts (The AFFE) are also eligible to apply (such candidates will be enrolled provisionally in the Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program.
Duration of FFE Program
The Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program may be completed in a period of two years (24 months) 8 moduels.
Period of Validity Registration/Enrolment
The candidates are required to complete the Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program (all the eight modules) within a maximum period of seven years from the date of registration/enrolment. They are also required to complete Module 1 of the Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program within three years from the date of registration/enrolment. Candidates who are unable to complete the Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program within the time-frame stipulated above, but still keen on continuing in the Program, are required to register de novo.
Group Training Classes (Optional) for Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program
Each Module of the Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program requires minimum period of about 3 months including the time for coaching and self-study. The faculty responsible for the conducts of classes are professionally qualified and also possess practical knowledge in the respective field. The coaching arrangements helps students acquire adequate knowledge of the subject and also prepare better for the examinations. The coaching classes are compulsory and also optional except when The AFFE grants exemptions to students residing at a place where the coaching facility is not available or they have already attended classes of others professional Institutes in the corresponding subjects. There are also correspondence courses available now. The classes are conducted at The AFFE’s own Supervised or Accepted Coaching Centers/campuses covering all major cities. The AFFE own center is at present working at Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
Exemptions /Waivers
Candidates with prior academic and professional qualifications like B.Com, BBA, M.Com, MBA, CA/CWA/CS, CPA, PFA, and IBP Members are eligible to get exemptions/waiver from certain subjects in all levels of Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program on case to case basis.
Education Methodology
The Financial Forensic Expert (FFE) Program follows a unique learning approach consisting of several distinct stages:-
Self-Study: The AFFE provides comprehensive study package specially designed for independent study. The AFFE course materials are revised frequently to keep them up to date.
Coaching & Training Classes: The Coaching and Training Classes is an important stage that would help the candidates gain an in-depth understanding of the subjects and also prepare well for the examination.
Case study Approach: Case-based learning is encouraged to help the candidates acquire problem-solving and decision making skills in complex business situations.
Research Project Work: The research project work equips the candidates with practical application skills relevant to their area of study. Candidates are encouraged to do the project work under the guidance of a Research Project Guide.
Examinations: The examinations serve to finally assess and carefully the candidate’s understanding of the subject and level of skill development.
For Whom
- Candidates looking for a long term career as a Forensic Accounting professional to work in the industry (corporate/financial services/banking/insurance sectors) or to set up independent practice/consulting.
- Professionals like Chartered Accountants, Cost/Management Accountants, Chartered/Corporate Secretaries and Internal Auditors who are keen on building a hard core Forensic Accounting career or those who are interested in updating themselves in Forensic Accounting.
- M.Com, MBAs, LLB, LLM, Bankers and Other Finance/Management Professionals who would like to specialize in Forensic Accounting or would like to have a strong grounding in Forensic Accounting which would help them in performing their general management functions better.
- Candidates interested to build a career in Forensic Accounting.
- Candidates pursuing full time postgraduate programs in Forensic Accounting.
- Working Executives seeking enhanced career mobility and prospects in the area of Forensic Accounting.
- Banking Professionals who want to upgrade their knowledge in the fields of Forensic Accounting.
- Academicians and those in the teaching profession who are keen to update their knowledge in the areas of Forensic Accounting.
Procedure for Applying Registration/Enrolment
- All applications for registration/enrolment as student of the Association must be made in the form prescribed which is obtainable from the Association’s Office Islamabad.
- Every application shall be duly completed and submitted along with the prescribed student and exemption fees and annual subscription as a student for the year in force at the date of application.
- If the application for registration/enrolment is accepted the registration and exemption fees and the annual subscription amount will not be refunded.
- On acceptance an official notification will be issued to the student who will also be allotted a Student Registration Number which must be quoted on all communication between the student and the Association.
Documents Accompanying Application
Every application for registration/enrolment as a student must accompany the following documents without which the application will not be entertained:-
i) Certified photocopies of all education certificates (academic & professional) reflected by the applicant on his application.
ii) Character Certificate from the Head of Institution last attended or employer if employed. The Executive Council/Board of Directors of the Association may also accept character certificate issued by any Associate or Fellow Member of the Association or by a first class gazetted officer of the Government of Pakistan.
iii) Satisfactory evidence of age, name and eligibility. In this connection the applicant shall satisfy the Executive Council/Board of Directors of the Association that he/she:-
a) Is not less than 18 years age,
b) Possesses the requisite educational qualifications prescribed,
c) Is a fit and proper person to be registered/enrolled as a student of the Association,
iv) Two attested passport size copies of latest photographs along with CNIC copy.
Registration Fees, Annual Subscription as a Student & Processing Charges
All fees and annual subscriptions are payable along with the application for registration/enrolment as a student on acceptance of which no amount of such fees and annual subscription is refundable.
Powers of Membership and Registration Committee to accept or reject applications
The powers and functions of this committee have been largely described dealing specifically with matters pertaining to admission of members and granting of exemptions in all cases. Here as well in respect of all matters connected with the registration of students this committee has been vested with identical powers which inter-alia includes acceptance or rejection of any application for registration as a student without assigning any reason, to prescribe, change and review the schedule and rates of fees and subscriptions and also to frame the rules and regulations in respect therewith. In case of rejection, however, the student is given the right to appeal to the Executive Council/Board of Directors for review of his/her application but in that case also the Executive Council/Board of Directors again reserves the right to decide the case in which event its decision shall be final and binding upon the applicant.