CIFCFIN raises concerns over ICAN's forensic accountant training

The Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) has expressed worry about the recent training program by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) that leads to the title, Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN). CIFCFIN said this certification program has raised serious concerns in the forensic and fraud investigation field.

In a statement signed by CIFCFIN’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Isa Salifu, titled, “Protecting the Integrity of Forensic Accounting Certification in Nigeria,” the Institute stated that the concern is not about stopping professional education or denying any group the right to train its members in important areas like accounting, audit, compliance, fraud risk management, or forensic accounting. Continuous learning and working together across fields are essential in fighting financial crimes in Nigeria.

Salifu pointed out that the main issue is about the legal authority, professional identity, and protecting the public from confusion. He explained that CIFCFIN was set up under the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022. “The Act created a specialized professional institute for training, regulation, supervision, certification, and advancement of forensic and fraud-investigation practices in Nigeria,” he said.

According to the Registrar, CIFCFIN’s legal authority includes professionalizing forensics and fraud investigation. This includes specialist education, certification, standards, ethics, competence, and regulation in this field. Salifu also highlighted the official ICAN faculty page, which clearly shows a “Training programme for the Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN).”

He stated that it is “imperative that the legal and professional basis for the designation be publicly clarified.” While he recognized ICAN as a key professional accountancy body with a long history in developing accountancy education and practice in Nigeria, he said that having a broad accountancy mandate does not “automatically displace or override a later and specific statutory mandate granted to a specialist institute in the field of forensics and fraud investigation.”

Salifu emphasized that specialist legal mandates must be honored. “When an Act of the National Assembly creates a dedicated institute and gives it responsibility for a specialized profession, other bodies should avoid actions, titles, or certification arrangements that may create the impression of parallel statutory authority.”

Given these points, Salifu highlighted four main issues that need urgent attention. First, is ICAN legally allowed to award the title of Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN)? Second, does this title conflict with or duplicate the statutory certification and regulatory authority of CIFCFIN? Third, are those awarded this title subject to the legal standards, ethics, disciplinary processes, and professional regulation that apply to forensic and fraud investigation practitioners in Nigeria? Finally, what measures are in place to prevent misleading the public, employers, courts, regulators, and international partners?

The Registrar believes Nigeria needs stronger professional bodies, not competing ones, in the fight against financial crimes. “The right way is constructive engagement, legal compliance, and working together. CIFCFIN and ICAN can team up on building capacity, research, ongoing professional development, fraud prevention, forensic accounting education, and professional referrals. But this teamwork must respect the law, clear professional boundaries, and protect the public interest. The law, professional integrity, and public safety should remain the top priorities.”

CIFCFIN has also asked the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) to look into these issues and advise ICAN to pause the CFAN certification program until its legal and regulatory basis is clear. They requested a meeting of the relevant professional bodies, including CIFCFIN and ICAN, within seven days to resolve these issues peacefully and maintain harmony between institutions. They also called for guidance for member bodies on the need to operate within their legal mandates and professional areas to promote cooperation, respect, and good professional relationships.