In this Alumni Spotlight, we connect with Sean Smith, recent graduate of West Virginia University’s online Forensic and Fraud Examination, M.S. (FFE) program. He reflects on what motivated him to pursue graduate study, how the program shaped his investigative mindset, and how he’s applying fraud examination, data analytics, and risk management principles to his professional path.
Photo: Sean Smith, Fraud and Forensic Examination, M.S. graduate
In my experience, fraud was never just an abstract concept—it was something I watched unfold in real time. I got married in 2008, a year defined by the financial crisis high-profile cases like Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme showed how devastating large-scale fraud can be to everyday investors and the broader economy.
Those events and their effects made me want to understand how such schemes happen, how they go undetected for so long, and what could have been done to prevent or uncover them earlier. That extended into my professional life during COVID and all of the questionable practices I saw emerge from that.
WVU’s program has a specific focus on forensic accounting and fraud examination, and that felt like the right way to channel those experiences into a career aimed at detecting, investigating, and helping prevent similar fraud in the future.
My experience has matched my expectations in that the program is very applied: we’ve worked real-world style cases, used data analytics tools, and practiced things like case pitches and testimony rather than only reading about them.
How do you balance school and the rest of your life?
I treat the program like a part-time job by blocking specific hours each week for
classes, readings, and projects. This helps me batch my efforts into a few
focused sessions each week and communicate with family and my job about what time
I need to spend on coursework, so expectations are clear.
Looking back, what do you think is the most valuable skill or mindset you've developed through this program? How did you learn to move from suspicion to proof?
The program pushes you to stop looking at transactions in isolation and instead focus on intent, opportunity, and rationalization. We studied common fraud schemes and then worked backward, asking why someone would structure activity a certain way, what they would try to hide, and where controls would likely be bypassed. That shift in mindset helped me anticipate patterns rather than react to red flags after the fact.
The most valuable mindset I’ve developed is thinking like an investigator rather
than just an accountant and staying skeptical. You’re told to always follow the
evidence and always ask, “What would I need to prove this in court?”
On the skills side, using data analytics and electronic techniques to identify
anomalies and patterns in large data sets has been incredibly useful in actual
fraud and audit work.
The biggest shift was learning how to build evidence, not just identify anomalies. I developed stronger data analysis skills, documentation discipline, and interview techniques, all grounded in legal and evidentiary standards. The program emphasized corroboration, tying financial data to non-financial evidence, and clearly documenting findings so conclusions could stand up to scrutiny from auditors, attorneys, or regulators.
In your experience, what has been the most challenging aspect of the program?
I’d say the intensity of the capstone-style work, where you must bring together several concepts into one coherent case. It’s not just about getting the “right” answer; you must document evidence, support it with data, anticipate legal challenges, and then communicate it clearly in writing and in presentations.
What role has hands-on experience played in shaping your experience? Can you give an example of a project that drew from real life?
Internships and hands-on, case-based projects have been central to how this program has shaped me, even though I did not complete a formal internship; I was one of the oldest students in our class and brought prior professional experience instead of taking the traditional internship route. One example of the applied work we did is a simulated investigation involving money laundering and financial statement fraud, where we traced suspicious transactions, connected related entities, prepared workpapers, and then presented our findings as if supporting a prosecution.
One of the biggest advantages of the program has also been the chance to work with
truly extraordinary teammates. On the fraud side, collaborating with people like
Andre, Laura, Ryan, Tomson, and Michael pushed me to think more creatively and
communicate clearly under pressure. In cyber security management, working with
Andrew, Ethan, and Olivia, along with Ryan and Laura, gave me the same high-level
collaboration but with a focus on threats, controls, and incident response.
One project involved analyzing a simulated company’s financial records to identify
potential revenue manipulation and expense misclassification. We reviewed journal
entries, supporting documentation, and internal controls, then prepared a formal
report outlining findings, evidence, and recommendations. It closely mirrored how
an actual forensic engagement would unfold, from initial risk assessment to final
reporting.
How has your career evolved since completing the program?
Currently, I am in the process of getting my Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certificates. My planned career path is in forensic accounting, fraud examination, and risk/audit roles where I hope to uncover financial misconduct and support investigations.
The program has given me a strong foundation in fraud investigation techniques, data analysis, and the legal and regulatory environment, and it ties in well with professional certifications like the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and internal audit/management accounting credentials I’m pursuing.
Having certification concepts integrated into coursework made the material more practical and focused. Instead of studying theory in isolation, the program aligned real-world applications with how professional exams frame problems.
Beyond the classroom, I’ve had opportunities to connect with industry professionals and alumni through case presentations, events, and class discussions, which helped me understand what different roles look like in practice and what regulators, law enforcement agencies, and internal audit functions expect from someone in my position.
The program has given me a strong foundation in fraud investigation techniques, data analysis, and the legal and regulatory environment, and it ties in well with professional certifications like the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and internal audit/management accounting credentials I’m pursuing. Sean smith, '25
How have the faculty and industry partnerships enhanced your experience in the program? Can you share an example of mentorship or guidance that stood out to you?
Faculty and industry partnerships have enriched my experience by making the work feel like real practice, not just coursework. Dr. Robert Elias has been remarkable, not only in guiding us through complex fraud cases, but also in giving honest, practical advice about professional growth. He pushes you to think like an expert witness and strategist, and his feedback on reports and presentations has been invaluable.
On the cyber side, Dr. Chris Ramezan is outstanding in how he explains technical cybersecurity topics and ties them directly real examples of these types of problems.
Having mentors like Dr. Elias and Dr. Ramezan really highlights how these worlds intersect.
Do you have any advice for anyone who is interested in pursing the FFE program?
My advice for anyone interested in pursuing the FFE program is to be ready to write a lot and present a lot. Communication is just as important as technical skill.
Also, I will be forty in September of 2026, so, you are never late to start. I never thought I would get a master’s degree.
Doing both fraud and cyber security management side by side showed me how concepts discussed in class appear in real scenarios and directly affect our ability to detect and investigate fraud.
Another thing is to start thinking early and purposely about your certifications and long-term direction, so the projects you take on and the people you build relationships with are stacking real, durable value in your favor.
Build a career so solid that you never have to rely on some mythical “greater fool” in the job market to rescue you, because you already made yourself the obvious choice.
Learn More
Thank you to Sean for taking the time to answer our questions. As of this article’s publication, he’s starting a new job. Good luck on the new adventure, Sean!
If you’d like to learn more about the Forensic and Fraud Examination, M.S. program, you can read more about it on our website or reach out to the Chambers College Graduate Admissions Recruiter Aaron Rose!