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 CFF Credential Information

CFF Credential Program Objectives:  

• Enhance the quality of the forensic services CFFs provide;
• Increase practice development and career opportunities for CFFs;
• Promote members' services through Forensic and Valuation Services (FVS) website; and
• Achieve public recognition of the CFF as the preferred forensic accounting professional.

Benefits of becoming a CFF:   

CPAs who provide forensic accounting services should consider obtaining the CFF credential because it:

• Positions the credential holder as a premier forensic accounting service provider;
• Enhances the practitioner's image as a competent, trustworthy financial forensic expert;
• Promotes a greater level of confidence for clients and employers;
• Demonstrates commitment to continuously improving forensic accounting skills and expertise, resulting in increased professional competency;
• Increases opportunities for referrals from other practitioners, strategic partners, attorneys, and clients;
• Includes you in a community of CPA financial forensics professionals with similar interests and practices; and
• Distinguishes your practice with the powerful combination of a CPA certificate and a CFF credential.

Eligibility Requirements:

The CFF credential is exclusively granted by the AICPA to qualified CPAs. To qualify, a new CFF applicant must:

• Maintain an AICPA membership in good standing, have at least five years of experience in practicing accounting, and meet minimum requirements in relevant business experience and continuing professional education (CPE).
• Hold a valid and unrevoked CPA certificate or license issued by a legally constituted state authority.
• Pass the CFF examination. The Content Specification Outline (CSO) includes details of subject areas covered on the exam.
• Complete a CFF credential application and pay the credential fee upon successfully passing the examination.
• Sign a Declaration of Intent to comply with the requirements of CFF recertification.

CFF Credential Qualification Requirements:

CFF Credential Exam Registration Process:

REGISTER FOR CFF EXAM ONLINE!

Registration for the 2011 CFF Examination is available on a year-round basis.

First time registrants that have never registered or taken the CFF exam:

Current FVS Section members        $300
Current AICPA members                $400
Non-AICPA members                    $500

Exam retake registrants have previously taken the CFF exam and did not pass the exam. The retake fee is $100.

Exam deferral registrants have previously registered for the CFF exam but did not schedule or take the exam in the year in which they registered. Deferral candidates must pay a $100 fee to take the exam.

Application Process: 

• If the job code in your AICPA profile is "Government", then the initial price is $250.

• If you hold the ABV credential, then the initial price is $150.

• If you hold another AICPA credential, such as the CITP or PFS, then the initial price is $200 unless the next category applies with a lower price.

• If you are a member of the FVS section, then you will receive a credit for a pro rata portion of the remaining annual FVS membership fee. The actual cost will be between $350 and $150 depending on the number of months remaining in your annual FVS section membership period.

Renewal Pricing: Credential renewal pricing is $350 for the first credential and $200 for each subsequent credential held. There are two exceptions:              

• If the job code in your AICPA profile is "Government", then each credential has a renewal price of $250.

• If you hold both the CFF and ABV credentials, then the renewal price for the second credential is $150 (instead of the standard $200).

4)    If remitting payment by credit card, you may attach your application to 
an email and send to CFF@aicpa.org with "CFF Application" in the subject line or you may fax it to 800.362.5066.

If remitting payment by check, mail your application and payment to:
            
            AICPA - CFF Application
            220 Leigh Farm Road
            Durham, North Carolina 27707

It will be reviewed and processed, and you will receive notification of your application status thereafter. In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional information to support your application. if you meet the CFF requirements, your application will be approved. If you application is not approved, your fee will be refunded.

CFF Credential Recertification: 

• Maintain an AICPA membership in good standing.
• Hold a valid and unrevoked CPA certificate or license issued by a legally constituted state authority.
• Provide verification of obtaining at least 60 hours of forensic related CPE over the preceding three years. (Note: Authoring or publishing articles is limited to 24 hours. Classes taught or lectures given are limited to 36 hours). Refer to the CFF Content Specification Outline (CSO) for topics in the CFF Body of Knowledge.
• Submit electronic intent to continue to comply with all recertification requirements.  

CFF Credential Reinstatement Process: 

• Submit a CFF reinstatement application.
• Pay a reinstatement fee of $100 in addition to the credential application fee. Application fees are outlined above in the application process section.

You must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a valid and unrevoked CPA certificate or license issued by a legally constituted state authority.
• Have at least 60 hours of forensic related CPE in the last three years. Refer to the CFF Content Specification Outline (CSO) for topics in the CFF Body of Knowledge.

If you have held the CFF credential in the past, you do not need to re-qualify for the examination or experience requirements of the credential.