4 answers
Jenasie
Student
Manistee, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
1418 views
What small decisions made early on had a big impact on your career in fraud examination?
I am currently a college senior at Davenport University, earning a degree in fraud investigation and preparing for a career as a fraud examiner. I know the big moments matter, but I am curious about the small ones - the early decisions, habits, or mindsets that shaped your path.
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4 answers
Christina Owens
Senior Technical Writer/Career Identity Architect
34
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hey Jenasie 👋💼 — first off, I love your question. Most people chase the headlines of success—the certifications, the titles, the big promotions—but it’s the quiet, consistent habits that truly carve a fraud examiner’s edge. 🔍
Looking back, the small decisions that shaped my path weren’t glamorous. They were things like:
• Taking notes on human behavior, not just transactions. The fraud itself is rarely the story. The pattern of decision-making that leads to it—that’s where the truth hides. Learn to read motives as fluently as you read data. 🧠💡
• Keeping curiosity cleaner than cynicism. In this line of work, it’s easy to get jaded. But curiosity keeps you sharp, compassionate, and adaptable. It’s what helps you spot deception without losing your humanity. 🌱
• Documenting everything, even when no one’s looking. I learned early that integrity is a habit, not a headline. Your consistency will one day protect you more than your credentials ever could. Audit your own ethics daily. 🖋️
• Asking for mentorship before I felt ready. The best investigators I ever met weren’t the smartest—they were the most teachable. I reached out to analysts, auditors, even law enforcement pros, and just listened. You’d be amazed how many open doors start with a humble question. 🔑
• Learning the language of business. Fraud examiners don’t just find what’s wrong—they explain it in a way executives, clients, and courts can understand. Learn to translate complexity into clarity. That’s how you become indispensable. 🗣️📊
The truth is, fraud examination is a blend of intellect and instinct. Each small, disciplined choice—the way you organize files, phrase questions, or prepare a case—builds a reputation long before the “big moments” arrive.
Keep those small habits sacred, and the big breaks will find you.
Keep your will conditioned and your integrity aligned. 💫
— Christina Owens | CoachOwens
https://coachowens.com
| Follow on LinkedIn @CoachOwens 💼✨
Be fearless in what sets your soul on fire. 🔥
Looking back, the small decisions that shaped my path weren’t glamorous. They were things like:
• Taking notes on human behavior, not just transactions. The fraud itself is rarely the story. The pattern of decision-making that leads to it—that’s where the truth hides. Learn to read motives as fluently as you read data. 🧠💡
• Keeping curiosity cleaner than cynicism. In this line of work, it’s easy to get jaded. But curiosity keeps you sharp, compassionate, and adaptable. It’s what helps you spot deception without losing your humanity. 🌱
• Documenting everything, even when no one’s looking. I learned early that integrity is a habit, not a headline. Your consistency will one day protect you more than your credentials ever could. Audit your own ethics daily. 🖋️
• Asking for mentorship before I felt ready. The best investigators I ever met weren’t the smartest—they were the most teachable. I reached out to analysts, auditors, even law enforcement pros, and just listened. You’d be amazed how many open doors start with a humble question. 🔑
• Learning the language of business. Fraud examiners don’t just find what’s wrong—they explain it in a way executives, clients, and courts can understand. Learn to translate complexity into clarity. That’s how you become indispensable. 🗣️📊
The truth is, fraud examination is a blend of intellect and instinct. Each small, disciplined choice—the way you organize files, phrase questions, or prepare a case—builds a reputation long before the “big moments” arrive.
Keep those small habits sacred, and the big breaks will find you.
Keep your will conditioned and your integrity aligned. 💫
— Christina Owens | CoachOwens
https://coachowens.com
| Follow on LinkedIn @CoachOwens 💼✨
Be fearless in what sets your soul on fire. 🔥
Rick Blair
Compliance & Ethics Leader
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Rick’s Answer
Hi Jenasie,
I want to share some small but important steps that have guided my journey in investigations and led me to roles as a compliance officer and senior leader. These aren't big moments but the quiet choices that built my foundation.
Early decisions that set my path:
- Valuing accuracy over speed, even when unnoticed
- Learning the "boring" systems others skipped
- Understanding the business context of each case
- Committing to neutrality as a core value
Habits that grew over time:
- Keeping detailed notes and documenting my thoughts
- Digging deeper by reading more and asking extra questions
- Practicing calm in low-pressure times to handle high-pressure situations better
- Following up consistently to build trust and ease team interactions
Mindsets that guide me:
- Staying curious instead of being certain
- Being skeptical without becoming cynical
- Respecting processes, even if they seem slow, because they matter
- Treating every case as a chance to improve my skills
- Seeing integrity as something to practice daily
These small actions have greatly influenced my growth. They shape how I handle investigations, work with others, and continue to develop in this field. I'm happy to discuss any of this further if you'd like.
I want to share some small but important steps that have guided my journey in investigations and led me to roles as a compliance officer and senior leader. These aren't big moments but the quiet choices that built my foundation.
Early decisions that set my path:
- Valuing accuracy over speed, even when unnoticed
- Learning the "boring" systems others skipped
- Understanding the business context of each case
- Committing to neutrality as a core value
Habits that grew over time:
- Keeping detailed notes and documenting my thoughts
- Digging deeper by reading more and asking extra questions
- Practicing calm in low-pressure times to handle high-pressure situations better
- Following up consistently to build trust and ease team interactions
Mindsets that guide me:
- Staying curious instead of being certain
- Being skeptical without becoming cynical
- Respecting processes, even if they seem slow, because they matter
- Treating every case as a chance to improve my skills
- Seeing integrity as something to practice daily
These small actions have greatly influenced my growth. They shape how I handle investigations, work with others, and continue to develop in this field. I'm happy to discuss any of this further if you'd like.
Shelly Lin
Forensic Consultant
81
Answers
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Shelly’s Answer
Looking back, the small decisions that had the biggest impact on my career were developing a habit of asking questions, paying close attention to details, and genuinely trying to understand the story behind the numbers rather than simply completing assigned tasks. Early on, I volunteered for projects that were outside my comfort zone, sought feedback from experienced professionals, and invested time in improving my writing and communication skills, which are often overlooked but critical in investigations. I also learned the importance of maintaining professional skepticism while keeping an open mind. Fraud examination is rarely about finding a single "smoking gun"; it is about connecting facts, identifying patterns, and following evidence objectively. Those habits, built consistently over time, ultimately had a much greater impact on my career than any single promotion, certification, or assignment.
Shannon Zulauf
Risk & Independence
66
Answers
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Jenasie
You’re on to something by focusing on the small moments—those are often what add up and lead to the bigger career moves.
Early on, a few small decisions and habits can make a big impact:
- Learn from people more senior than you. Ask questions, observe how they think, and pay attention to how they document, communicate, and manage uncertainty.
- Take your time and check your work. Accuracy builds credibility quickly in this field, and small mistakes can create larger issues later on.
- Learn boundaries early. Understand when to ask for help, when to escalate, and when something falls outside your role or authority. Strong examiners know how to protect both the investigation and themselves.
- Treat feedback as learning, not criticism. The ability to absorb feedback and apply it will accelerate your growth far more than trying to be perfect.
- Document clearly and consistently. Good documentation supports your conclusions and protects your work.
- Stay curious and keep learning. Fraud evolves constantly, and developing a habit of continuous learning pays off over time.
The big moments matter, but it’s the small habits—curiosity, accuracy, professionalism, and boundaries—that earn trust. And in fraud examination, trust and credibility are everything. I hope this helps!
You’re on to something by focusing on the small moments—those are often what add up and lead to the bigger career moves.
Early on, a few small decisions and habits can make a big impact:
- Learn from people more senior than you. Ask questions, observe how they think, and pay attention to how they document, communicate, and manage uncertainty.
- Take your time and check your work. Accuracy builds credibility quickly in this field, and small mistakes can create larger issues later on.
- Learn boundaries early. Understand when to ask for help, when to escalate, and when something falls outside your role or authority. Strong examiners know how to protect both the investigation and themselves.
- Treat feedback as learning, not criticism. The ability to absorb feedback and apply it will accelerate your growth far more than trying to be perfect.
- Document clearly and consistently. Good documentation supports your conclusions and protects your work.
- Stay curious and keep learning. Fraud evolves constantly, and developing a habit of continuous learning pays off over time.
The big moments matter, but it’s the small habits—curiosity, accuracy, professionalism, and boundaries—that earn trust. And in fraud examination, trust and credibility are everything. I hope this helps!