Developments such as International Accounting Standards (IAS) are creating international career opportunities for professional accountants. It is essential for individuals who wish to succeed in the international business community to possess first-rate English language skills and the ability to converse with accounting and finance professionals.

To meet the demand for helping finance professionals demonstrate they have the financial English skills they need, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) have combined to develop the International Certificate in Financial English (Cambridge ICFE).

Cambridge ICFE is set at Levels B2—C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference —an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability.

This certificate can be used as proof of the ability in English necessary to work in an international finance context or to follow a course of accountancy or finance study at university level.

Is Cambridge ICFE for you?

Do you...

have a good working knowledge of English?

want to develop those skills to work in accountancy or finance?

If so, Cambridge ICFE could be the right exam for you.

The exam

Cambridge ICFE exams are available twice a year, in May and November, through Cambridge ESOL's network of centres.

Cambridge ICFE is comprised of four separate tests, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, and the exam lasts around 3.5 hours. The tasks are based on tasks and topics that finance professionals would expect to encounter in their daily lives, such as:

•financial reporting

•insurance

•investment banking

•ethics and professionalism

•accounting software

•assets and company valuations

•acquisitions and mergers.

Preparation

While you can choose to prepare for ICFE on your own, many candidates prefer to take the preparation courses.  As with all of Cambridge ESOL's certificates, Expressway Anglais can help you prepare for your exam.

Results

Test results are normally reported approximately six weeks after the test date. Levels of performance in the exam are distinguished by a range of passing and failing grades.

The passing grades are B2 Pass, C1 Pass and C1 Pass with Merit.

All candidates receive a Statement of Results showing their overall grade and their performance on each of the four papers. Candidates who achieve a passing grade will also receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

To register

To register for Cambridge ICFE, you need to contact an authorised exam centre — entries cannot be made directly to Cambridge ESOL. The centre will give you full information about the fees for taking Cambridge ICFE, the dates of the tests and other arrangements.

If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for special arrangements to be made when taking the exam.

Visit the Cambridge ICFE website, for exam information, sample papers, exam dates, FAQs and more.

About ACCA

ACCA is the largest and fastest-growing global professional accountancy body with 296,000 students and 115,000 members in 170 countries. Its aim is to offer the first choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.