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International Finance and Administration Qualifications (IFA)
Start your career (with IFA 4) or advance your understanding and career prospects (with IFA 5) in offshore financial services.
Need help?International Finance and Administration Qualifications (IFA)
Looking to extend your influence? The IFA qualification covers offshore finance, regulation and company management. Optional modules can deepen your expertise in financial reporting and governance, fund administration and more.
The IFA qualifications are recognised by regulators in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands, increasing your employability across the world.
Where can IFA take you?
IFA students aspire to work within the global market – whether from the UK, or beyond. They understand that achieving regulator-recognised qualifications (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands) can significantly increase the chance of this.
What will you learn?
IFA is a suite of qualifications that mix robust core modules with optional elements tailored to your expertise, experience and need.
The core modules cover:
- The offshore finance and legal environment
- Products and services
- Regulation
- The management of trusts and companies
- The optional modules available will depend on the level of IFA you study.
Select your level
We offer IFA as a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification, depending on your current qualifications and experience:
Choose IFA Level 4 if:
- You do not have any finance qualifications,
- You are looking to change career, or
- You have some industry experience but no recognised qualification.
Choose IFA Level 5 if:
- You have significant industry experience and in a management role:
- Hold the Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration;
- Hold the Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration (COFA) qualification;
- Have a relevant university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognised institution; or
- Hold a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma in International Trust Management.
Have a Question?
For help and advice call +44 (0)20 7580 4741 or email the Membership team.
IFA 4
Level 4 International Finance and Administration Qualifications
IFA Level 4 is open to anyone who aspires to work within the global market – whether from the UK, or beyond.
The core module provides a sound grounding in regulatory knowledge, trust law, company law, products, services and offshore business.
Optional modules (in Accounting and Investment) allow students to extend their expertise, earning deeper qualifications and benefits. Those who choose the full programme will receive the Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration. Graduates are eligible to become Affiliated members of The Chartered Governance Institute.
The Level 4 IFA is recognised by regulators in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands.
Each module is assessed by exams, with the level similar to that which you might expect in the first year of an undergraduate degree.
Level 4 options and qualifications
Note: Students must start with the core module, and the other modules can be taken following this in any order.
The discovery pack
Explore the module overviews, a study text chapter excerpt, sample exam papers and tuition options.
Supporting your study
Included in your course fees, you will have access to:
- Digital textbooks for each of your chosen modules
- MyCG, which provides past papers, mark schemes and other study materials
- A comprehensive study skills book
- Webinars on study skills and exam technique
Tuition Partners (recommended)
In addition, we strongly recommend the use of tuition partners to help structure your study. These external organisations provide tuition options to suit your location, situation and budget – including classroom courses and distance learning.
The costs of IFA 4
The costs for IFA Level 4 range from £1,070 to £1,605. Whatever modules you choose to study, your fees will cover:
- Registration, exam and certification fees
- Student membership throughout your course
- Syllabus and sample assessment materials
- All required study texts
- Free study skills and exam techniques webinars
What next?
Start your application online, download our IFA Level 4 Discovery Pack, or call +44 (0)20 7580 4741.
Note: All applications are subject to our Student Rules and Regulations, and the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.
IFA 5
Level 5 International Finance and Administration Qualifications
The Level 5 IFA is an advanced course for those with existing qualifications.
The core module provides the essential understanding of the regulation of offshore trusts and companies. Students then customise their qualification by selecting at least one optional module. These are available in Financial Reporting and Governance, Fund Administration and Business Management in Practice.
Level 5 qualifications
The number of modules studied affects the final qualification awarded.
Those who complete the full programme will receive the Level 5 Diploma in International Finance and Administration. Graduates are eligible to become Affiliated members of the Chartered Governance Institute.
All Level 5 IFA qualifications are recognised by regulators in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands.
Each module is assessed by one three-hour exam, with the level similar to that which you might expect in the second year of an undergraduate degree.
Exams are held at our regional centres and take place in June and November each year.
Entry requirements
IFA Level 5 is open to anyone who holds one of the following:
- The Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration;
- The Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration (COFA);
- A relevant degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognised institution; or
- A Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma in International Trust Management.
If you do not currently qualify, you may wish to consider our Level 4 IFA.
The discovery pack
Explore the module overviews, a study text chapter excerpt, sample exam papers and tuition options.
Supporting your study
Included in your course fees, you will have access to:
- Digital textbooks for each of your chosen modules
- MyCG, which provides past papers, mark schemes and other study materials
- A comprehensive study skills book
- Webinars on study skills and exam technique
Tuition Partners (recommended)
In addition, we strongly recommend the use of tuition partners to help structure your study. These external organisations provide tuition options to suit your location, situation and budget – including classroom courses and distance learning.
The costs of IFA 5
The costs for IFA Level 5 range from £1,180 to £2,030. Whatever modules you choose to study, your fees will cover:
- Registration, exam and certification fees
- Student membership throughout your course
- Syllabus and sample assessment materials
- All required study texts
- Free study skills and exam techniques webinars
What next?
Start your application online, download our IFA Level 5 Discovery Pack, or call +44 (0)20 7580 4741.
Note: All applications are subject to our Student Rules and Regulations, and the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.
Certificate in Fund Administration
Summary
This higher-level certificate is a specialised qualification in fund administration. It draws on our expertise in developing the broader Level 5 IFA programme, and particularly the Fund Administration module.
If you already have suitable qualifications to work in the trust and company administration area, but you would like an additional qualification in fund administration, this certificate offers a qualification specifically tailored to helping you progress in your chosen field.
Entry
Admission to this Certificate is open to anyone as a short course qualification. If you complete the Certificate and wish to study the International Finance and Administration programme, we would then assess you for entry.
Content
This course provides an understanding of the investment environment, how a fund structure is created, and examines the roles of the key principals of a fund – the fund manager, the fund administrator and the fund’s governing body. It also covers the relationship between NAV and the performance of a fund, different fund types, structures and services available to investors in offshore jurisdictions and the legislative and regulatory frameworks affecting the funds sector.
On successful completion of the exam, you will gain a specialised qualification from a recognised professional body to help improve your current performance, and equip you for future employment and career development within the funds sector.
Study
Assessment of the course is via one, three-hour exam which can be taken in June or November each year. The exam paper contains a mixture of short- and extended-answer questions with a pass mark of 50%.
Recommended study time for the whole course is 150 hours.
The following study options are available to those studying the Certificate in Fund Administration
- Purchase tuition from one of our tuition partners. These offer different tuition options to suit your situation and your budget, including distance learning, face-to-face classes and blended learning. You can view all of our tuition partners here.
- Self study. If you’d prefer, make your own way through the programme using your study text, without purchasing any tuition.
You will receive an e-copy of the study text as part of your tuition fee, available to download on MyCG, and you will have access to the following study support:
- Access to past papers, suggested answers and other study materials via MyCG, the secure area of our website especially for Institute students and members
- A comprehensive study skills book
- Access to free exam techniques webinars
Please note: Choosing to use a tuition provider will incur tuition fees to be paid direct to the provider, on top of your student fees.
Fees
The fee for the Level 5 Certificate in Fund Administration is £765.
This includes:
- Registration and certification
- One exam entry (choice of next two available exam sessions)
- Access to all the study materials for Fund Administration (including syllabus, ebook and sample and past exam papers)
- Study skills and revision webinars
- Professional subscriber available at a reduced rate on successful completion of the qualification
Register
Are you ready to start the Certificate in Fund Administration? Click the button below and begin your registration.
Want to know more about the IFA qualifications?
Find out more about IFA 4 and 5 by downloading the Discovery Packs.
You can also:
- Read the syllabus
- sample the study text
- and try a sample exam