Jim Ratley Named One of Top 100 Most Influential People in 2012

James D. (Jim) Ratley, CFE, president and CEO of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), has been selected by Accounting Today as One of the Top 100 Most Influential People of 2012. The exclusive list includes President Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, SEC Chair Mary Shapiro and other dignitaries and business leaders.  

James D. (Jim) Ratley, CFE, president and CEO of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), has been selected by Accounting Today as One of the Top 100 Most Influential People of 2012. The exclusive list includes President Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, SEC Chair Mary Shapiro and other dignitaries and business leaders.  

Ratley is profiled, along with the other honorees, in a special supplement to Accounting Today magazine’s Sept./Oct. 2012 issue. “One of our most eagerly anticipated (and hotly debated) lists, the Top 100 People names the thought-leaders and change-makers who are shaping the accounting profession,” Accounting Today says in a statement on its website.   

Ratley was chosen for his leadership qualities and the positive impact he has had on the nearly 65,000 member-strong ACFE. “As one of the founders of the foremost fraud educators in the country, and its current chief, Ratley’s mission of keeping the profession and the business world abreast of the latest developments in fraud is more important than ever, as tough times push more people than ever to turn to the dark side,” the article states.  

Since being named president of the world’s largest anti-fraud organization in 2006 (and adding the role of CEO in 2011), Ratley has overseen the continued growth of the ACFE – while assisting in the development of anti-fraud products and services to meet the needs of ACFE members. In addition, he is a member of the ACFE’s faculty, and teaches regularly at workshops and conferences on a variety of fraud-related subjects.  

“It is an honor to be chosen by Accounting Today for their Top 100,” Ratley said. “I think this says more about the dedication of anti-fraud professionals worldwide who are moving the fight for fraud prevention and detection further ahead every day. It is because of them that the ACFE exists, and I intend to continue to serve them as best I can because they are safeguarding our investments and businesses for the future.  

“Still, it is truly exciting – and humbling – to be selected alongside so many worthy and dignified individuals.”  

In 2005, Ratley was awarded the ACFE’s Cressey Award, the ACFE’s highest honor – it is bestowed annually for a lifetime of achievement in the detection and deterrence of fraud.   

Previously, Ratley served as an officer of the Dallas Police Department, where he was assigned to several divisions including vice, child abuse and internal affairs. He was a member of numerous department task forces which concentrated on major fraud cases.   

In 1986, Ratley left the police department to join Wells & Associates, a forensic accounting practice, where he was in charge of fraud investigations. He handled investigations regarding internal frauds, conflicts of interest, and litigation support. In 1988, he was named Program Director for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and oversaw all aspects of the ACFE’s training and education programs.   

Ratley is a member of the ACFE, Austin Chapter and a member of the Board of Advisors for the Institute for Bank Director Education. He was also a Visiting Scholar at the University of Nebraska. In addition, he has been certified as a Master Peace Officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. 

Contact the ACFE 
For more information, email PR@ACFE.com.