Association of Corporate Investigators Launches Industry-First Certified Corporate Investigator (CCi) Course
Comprehensive 19-Module Certification Addresses Critical Gap in Professional Standards for Global Investigations Community
London, UK – 1 December 2025 – The Association of Corporate Investigators (ACi) today announced the launch of the Certified Corporate Investigator (CCi) course, the first comprehensive professional certification designed specifically for corporate investigators worldwide. The CCi was officially unveiled at the ACi Symposium held at White & Case LLP’s London offices, with the announcement made by Simon Scales and members of the ACi Executive Committee.
The launch marks a significant milestone for the corporate investigations profession, which until now has lacked a unified, globally recognised standard for training and certification. As organisations face increasingly complex investigations spanning multiple jurisdictions, involving sophisticated digital evidence, and subject to heightened regulatory scrutiny, the need for standardised investigative practices has never been more critical.
“For too long, corporate investigators have operated without the professional framework that other disciplines take for granted,” said Simon Scales at the launch event. “The CCi changes that. This certification demonstrates that we, as a profession, are committed to the highest standards of competency, ethics, and rigour in how investigations are conducted.”
Comprehensive Training for Modern Investigators
The CCi course comprises 19 modules covering the complete investigation lifecycle, from initial triage and assessment through to evidence presentation and stakeholder management. Developed by experienced in-house investigators with decades of collective expertise across all sectors, the curriculum addresses real-world challenges faced by practitioners daily.
Key modules include:
- Investigation Principles, Governance & International Guidance
- Investigation Policy & Procedures Development
- Cross-Border Investigations & Multi-Jurisdictional Challenges
- Digital Forensics, Data Privacy & OSINT
- Investigative Interviewing Techniques
- Investigation Reporting & Giving Evidence
- Whistleblowing Investigations
- Stakeholder Management & Forensic Accounting Integration
The course is delivered through a flexible, self-paced online platform. Each module combines theoretical learning with practical application through real-world case studies, interactive exercises, multimedia content, and knowledge assessments.
Addressing Industry-Wide Challenges
The ACi identified several critical gaps in the current landscape that the CCi directly addresses:
- Lack of Standardisation: Inconsistent investigation methodologies across organisations lead to varying quality and defensibility of outcomes
- Fragmented Training: No comprehensive educational pathway covering all aspects of corporate investigations
- Professional Recognition: Limited formal credentials for investigators to demonstrate competency
- Global Complexity: Cross-border investigations require understanding of multiple legal frameworks, data protection regimes, and cultural considerations
“We’ve seen too many investigations falter not because of bad intentions, but because of inadequate training and preparation,” noted Steve Young, CEO, ACi. “The CCi provides the framework, methodology, and practical skills that investigators need to conduct thorough, ethical, and defensible investigations.”
Built by Practitioners, For Practitioners
What distinguishes the CCi from general compliance or legal training is its focus on the practical realities of conducting investigations. The course draws on the Corporate Investigators’ Handbook and has been enhanced by insights from skilled in-house investigators working across all sectors, from financial services to technology, healthcare to manufacturing.
The curriculum includes:
- Real-world case studies demonstrating complex scenarios
- Interactive learning tools and exercises
- Bite-sized learning segments with audio/video content for learning “on the move”
- Regular knowledge checks and assessments
- A comprehensive 100-question final examination
Upon successful completion, candidates receive professional certification recognised by leading organisations globally as the standard for investigative competency.
Who Should Enrol
The CCi is designed for a broad spectrum of professionals involved in corporate investigations:
- Corporate investigators (misconduct, fraud, financial crime, regulatory, health & safety)
- Ethics, compliance, business integrity, and risk professionals
- HR, legal, and internal audit specialists conducting or supporting investigations
- Consultants engaged in investigative work
- Organisations seeking to build or strengthen internal investigation capability
No prior qualifications are required, making the CCi accessible to those starting their investigations career while providing a consistent competency framework for experienced practitioners.
Team Training and Professional Development
Recognising that investigation quality depends on team capability, the ACi offers group enrolment options with discounted rates for organisations training multiple investigators. This makes the CCi an ideal solution for businesses establishing or enhancing their investigation functions.
“The CCi certification is the ideal starting point for in-house investigations teams who want to upskill their workforce,” Scales explained. “It ensures everyone has access to the same foundational learning and can operate to consistent standards aligned with the ACi’s investigation principles.”
About the Association of Corporate Investigators
Established in 2018, the Association of Corporate Investigators is the leading independent professional body and industry voice for the global corporate investigations community. The ACi serves as a comprehensive platform for all investigative roles and activities – irrespective of sector – fostering a global community of more than 500,000 professionals.
The ACi was created to address the growing need for enhanced governance and best practices within corporate investigations at every level. At its core, the ACi is committed to ensuring that all investigations are conducted with rigour, following key principles and adhering to the highest professional standards.
ACi members include Heads of Investigations, Chief Risk Officers, Heads of Global Security, Chief Compliance Officers, HR professionals, legal counsel, forensic accountants, investigation consultants, technology providers, and those starting their investigations careers.
Enrolment and Availability
The CCi course is available to ACi members through the ACi Academy, a dedicated online learning platform. Individual enrolment is priced at £999, with group discounts available for organisations enrolling multiple participants.
For more information about the Certified Corporate Investigator course, including detailed curriculum information and enrolment procedures, visit: https://my-aci.com/aci-academy/cci/
To become an ACi member and access the CCi certification, visit: https://my-aci.com/membership/apply/
Contact Information:
EDITOR’S NOTES
About the ACi Symposium
The CCi launch took place at the ACi Symposium, an annual gathering of investigations professionals, hosted at the prestigious offices of White & Case LLP in London. White & Case, a global law firm with more than 2,500 lawyers worldwide and a leading practice in investigations and compliance, provided the venue for this landmark announcement. The Symposium brought together senior investigations professionals, compliance leaders, and industry experts to discuss emerging trends and challenges in corporate investigations.
About Simon Scales
Simon Scales serves as a key figure in the ACi leadership and has been instrumental in developing the CCi course.
Key Statistics
- 19 Modules: Comprehensive coverage of investigation lifecycle
- 30-40 Hours: Self-paced learning duration
- 500,000+ Professionals: Global ACi community
- £999: Individual enrolment fee
- Since 2018: ACi established to raise standards in corporate investigations
CCi Course Highlights
“Superb – a fabulously high-quality course that hits all the marks. We have been waiting for this!” – Early Course Reviewer
“Extremely well-constructed and educational” – Course Participant
