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International Certificate in Financial English (Cambridge ICFE)

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.

Cambridge ICFE is recognised around the world by accountancy firms, educational organisations, government agencies, immigration authorities and professional bodies.
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.

The exam consists of four separate papers testing reading, writing, listening and speaking, which together last just under 3.5 hours (not including breaks). 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

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