The Cambridge English: Financial (ICFE) demonstrates that finance professionals have the English language skills to succeed in the global business environment.
English is the language of international business and developments such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) give finance professionals greater mobility than ever before to pursue international career opportunities.
It is therefore essential for professionals to possess first-rate English language skills and the ability to confidently communicate within the international business community
To meet the demand for helping business professionals to show that they acquire the financial English skills they need, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) have combined their expertise and developed the International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE). This combination has brought together worldwide leaders in English language assessment and in professional accountancy to create a unique financial qualification relevant to employers internationally.
ICFE can be used as a valuable recruitment tool to help employers with the selection process and training of their employees. Employers can be confident that employees who have passed ICFE will be capable of working in the area of international finance as they will possess high levels of English language and an understanding of the kind of language used in a demanding, fast-moving profession.
An ICFE examination session will be set up on the fulfilment of the minimum number of candidates (10 candidates). Find out more about test dates and registration process.
The examination takes about 3 hours in total and consists of four parts:
 |
 |
|
Reading (75 min) |
|
|
|
Writing (75 min) |
|
|
|
Listening (40 min) |
|
|
|
Speaking (16 min) |
The Speaking test is conducted face-to-face by qualified examiners. Successful candidates are expected to be able to use the language in practical situations, to participate in meetings and discussions of a financial nature, express opinions clearly and understand financial documents including financial statements, journal articles, letters, reports and proposals.
Written papers will be marked in the UK by Cambridge ESOL examiners. Test results are usually reported within six weeks of the test date.
ICFE is linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Modern Languages (CEFR) and the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) frameworks of levels. The exam is set at CEFR levels B2-C1 which correspond to FCE/CAE levels. Examinations 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.
Results are issued approximately on the 15th day from the written test date and the results sheets will be sent to you via post.
Certificates for successful candidates are issued approximately one month after results are issued. Candidates will be informed in writing for the collection of certificates.
The final grade is an aggregate of the marks achieved in each of the three papers: Reading and Writing, Listening, Speaking. There is no minimum pass mark for each individual paper.
Please visit the official ICFE website for test papers, audio materials and ICFE Handbook.
For more information please contact us on 011-4521521/011-7521521 or info.lk@britishcouncil.org
| 
