About Cambridge ICFE

Cambridge ICFE is a high-level, internationally recognised qualification for aspiring and established finance professionals. For aspiring professionals, Cambridge ICFE can enhance your CV. For professionals with established careers, it can be used to certificate existing language skills and provide proof of ability to work in an international context. For employers, it gives confidence in employees’ abilities to conduct business internationally or with international clients and colleagues.

Who is Cambridge ICFE for

- Students Studying Finance and Accounting

Cambridge ICFE is an ideal qualification for anyone thinking of, or already pursuing, a career in accountancy or finance. If you are considering a career in finance or are studying towards an accounting or finance qualification, then Cambridge ICFE will be a valuable addition to your CV.

- Finance and Accountancy Professionals

If you are a finance professional with an already established and successful career, Cambridge ICFE can be used to validate your financial English language skills.

Preparing for Cambridge ICFE may also count towards the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for members of accountancy and finance professional bodies.

Overview of ICFE

The exam is set at levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR) and assesses language skills in the context of finance and accounting. B2 is equivalent to the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), and C1 is equivalent to the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE). Exams at the C1 level may be used as proof of language necessary to work in an international context or to follow a course of study related to finance at university level.

The Aims of ICFE

• to assess candidates’ ability to operate in English in an international finance environment

• to allow candidates to demonstrate to employers their ability to communicate in English with clients

• to allow candidates to demonstrate to educational and training institutions their ability to follow a course of study in finance and accounting where significant portion of the instruction is in English

• to have positive and beneficial impact on the content and delivery of English language training courses for finance and accounting professionals

• to provide an examination to do this which is fair to all candidates and which is delivered to international standards

• to allow test users to compare candidates’ results with other qualifications with are linked to the CEFR.

Contents of Cambridge ICFE

The exam consists of four papers, comprehensively covering the four communication skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Each test is based on realistic texts, tasks and topics similar to those finance professionals would expect to encounter in their daily working lives.

The following list illustrates some of the topic areas covered with Cambridge ICFE:

• Financial Reporting

• Company Financial Strategy

• Risk Assessment and Analysis

• Banking

• Insurance

• Investment Banking

• Ethics and Professionalism

• Debt-Recovery and Credit Policy

• Accounting Software Packages

• Forensic Accounting

• Assets and Company Valuations

• Budgetary Processes

• Corporate Governance

• Cost and Management Accounting

• Bankruptcy

• Acquisitions and Mergers

• Environmental and Sustainability Issues

Passing Cambridge ICFE

To pass Cambridge ICFE, candidates need to achieve a level of English of at least B2 on the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Candidates are expected to be familiar with some finance and accountancy concepts and terminology.

ICFE Exams

ICFE exams are held almost every month in Bristol as well as other cities. Please contact us for up to date exams dates.

ICFE Entry requirements

Although there are no formal entry requirements for this course, we normally expect you to have completed Secondary School level qualification. You will also need to demonstrate English Language skills to a minimum of CEFR Level B1 via one of the Secured English Language Tests as given on the UKBA list.

In some cases, we can enrol you based only on the SELT certificate.

Course Fee

We are currently offering a 12 month course for ICFE and the fee for this is £3500.