Trainee Fraud Investigator – Veritau’s graduate trainee stories

28 June 2022

Veritau has run a successful graduate training scheme for many years. We’re asking some of our trainees what attracted them to the scheme, how they have found it, and what they have learnt.

We talked to Ellie, who successfully progressed from Trainee Fraud Investigator to qualify as an investigator last year

After graduating with a degree in psychology, Ellie was looking for a career that would challenge her. Training as an investigator keeps things interesting as every day is different. She manages her own case load with a wide range of fraud types.

“A normal day as a trainee will always be very different from the day before, and the day after. Each trainee manages a caseload of around 15 cases, depending on experience, which rises to 25 upon qualifying as a fraud investigator.”

The trainee programme takes two years and includes completing the Professional Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) qualification.

There are four modules in which trainees learn everything from how fraud can affect organisations to how to take a case to court and be cross-examined by a barrister.

Prosecutions aren’t the outcome of every case, but investigators need to be prepared.

Investigators gather information from many sources including relevant council systems, each used by their department staff in subtly different ways.

Trainees need to quickly generate a comprehensive working knowledge of a rather complex area of local government and legislation, understanding the challenges facing departments.

Ellie’s favourite part of the job is the variety of tasks. Trainees can be involved with every stage of an investigation, from doing initial checks on a case to preparing it for prosecution.

Our trainee programme encourages investigators to learn to adapt to different circumstances and understand different areas of fraud in their entirety to deliver coherent, decisive and fair action.

Trainees are trusted with a lot of responsibility, but work closely with their senior officer and are supported by the whole fraud team.

After two years, and completion of ACFS, Ellie successfully progressed to the role of Corporate Fraud Investigator.

We’re hiring Trainee Fraud Investigators

Veritau currently has vacancies for graduate trainees in several areas of the business, including fraud. Trainees are supported throughout their training, with paid study leave and experienced colleagues who act as mentors.

We look for graduates who are outgoing, enthusiastic and self-motivated, willing to work with others in a team environment and have good interpersonal skills.