The Institute of Fraud Auditors (IFA) has been founded in 2001 as a not for profit association which is based on a public-private partnership. In 2009, the Belgian government has recognized IFA as the National Professional Federation of Fraud Auditors. IFA develops and improves the quality of the profession of fraud audit and – as a result – contributes to justice and security in society. For that purpose, IFA sets standards and monitors compliance to these standards. To do so, IFA enters an open dialogue with policymakers and other stakeholders. IFA keeps abreast of developments through its professional training program (Masterclass Fraud Auditing), continuing professional education, seminars, round tables, conferences and publications.
Based on their financial-economical and audit backgrounds, Fraud Auditors are involved in finding facts in order to resolving commercial or legal disputes, often a suspicion of fraud. As legislation and culture vary per country there exists not one single definition of Fraud Audit. IFA defines Fraud Audit as follows: the activity that consists of gathering, verifying, processing, analyzing of and reporting on data, to obtain facts and/or evidence – in a predefined context – around legal/financial disputes and or irregularities (including fraud) and giving preventative advice.
IFA plays a key role in the training and continuing professional education of Fraud Auditors. The names of the accredited professionals (Registered Fraud Auditors, RFA) are included in a register that is kept by IFA, and that is published on the website.