Former FBI Special Agent Flourishing in Global Private Sector

Richard McIlveen, CFE, CPA, vice president of corporate investigations for Iron Mountain Inc., first decided he might be interested in fraud investigation when he wanted to join the FBI. While he initially saw accounting as just a way to get a foot in the door, he quickly realized he had a knack for it. At Iron Mountain, he spearheaded an organization-wide push to become completely compliant with immigration employment laws. McIlveen has taken his talent and passion for risk management and now helps implement fraud controls across the world.

October 2016

ACFE Member Profile
Richard McIlveen, CFE, CPA
Vice President of Corporate Investigations
Iron Mountain Inc.

Richard McIlveen, CFE, CPA, vice president of corporate investigations for Iron Mountain Inc., first decided he might be interested in fraud investigation when he wanted to join the FBI. While he initially saw accounting as just a way to get a foot in the door, he quickly realized he had a knack for it. At Iron Mountain, he spearheaded an organization-wide push to become completely compliant with immigration employment laws. McIlveen has taken his talent and passion for risk management and now helps implement fraud controls across the world.

  

How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

I was interested in cops and robbers from a very young age, and it stuck. I researched careers, pursued the FBI and eventually became a special agent. At the time they were looking for accountants and lawyers, and I figured accounting would be the quicker route. As it turned out, I was naturally drawn to working with numbers. The accounting path worked out well and led to a career conducting white-collar investigations.

 

What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned since becoming a CFE?

Keep learning. Much of what we do is fundamental, as in “follow the cash,” but the fraud techniques and methods keep changing — it is imperative that you keep up with what the bad guys are doing.

 

What is your current role and what does it entail?

I am a vice president in the security department for Iron Mountain in Boston, Massachusetts. We are the industry leader in information storage and information management, operating in more than 45 countries. I am globally responsible for corporate investigations, background investigations, third party risk management and our fraud, waste and abuse program.

 

Working for a large-scale corporation has presented me with the incredible opportunity to work across the globe on matters in Russia, Italy, Brazil, Colombia and France, just to name a few. It has also presented challenges with language, cultural differences and varying financial systems. With all the differences, regardless of country, the simple truth remains that companies need to be ever diligent in establishing controls and implementing proactive measures to detect and deter fraudulent activity.

 

What steps led you to your current position?

Foundational education, continuing education, experience, networking and staying true to my passion of conducting investigations all contributed. I have been with Iron Mountain for eight years. My path here started with the FBI and was followed by forensic accounting positions with Kroll Associates and the Big 4 and then corporate positions with Fidelity Investments and Dunkin Brands. My combination of government, consulting and corporate positions have served me well in dealing with investigative matters, solving problems and proactively managing risk.

 

McIlveen, second from the right in the back row, with his hockey team.
 

What is a memorable case or project that you have worked on; one that made you feel especially proud? 

I was working for a company before my time at Iron Mountain and was faced with ensuring that we were employing documented workers. I conducted research and enrolled our company in a free federal government program (eVerify) to vet all employees. Our company became the biggest user of this program in the country which caught the attention of the White House and led to a meeting with President George W. Bush.

 

There was some resistance in implementing this program. My company was not sure that the franchisees would cooperate and the franchisees were concerned that this would be too complicated and not reliable. In the end it came together and both sides saw the value — namely protecting the brand. Companies need to continue to manage their insider risk, including maintaining a legal workforce which has been bolstered greatly by the eVerify program. 

 

How has earning the CFE credential benefited your career?

I have been a CFE for 25 years and witnessed the credential grow significantly in stature. The CFE credential, along with my CPA, has provided additional credibility to my career. Many employers are specifically looking to hire CFEs and include the credential in their job descriptions.

 

What activities or hobbies do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy playing golf and ice hockey. Yes, I still play, even at my advanced age!