International Finance and Administration Qualifications

Please contact our Student Support team if you need any help or advice.

Become an Affiliated member

Students who successfully complete the International Finance and Administration Qualifications are eligible to become Affiliated members and continue to benefit from the knowledge and support of our governance and compliance community.

Summary

ICSA’s suite of International Finance and Administration (IFA) qualifications provide financial services professionals with the regulatory standards organisations require. They are recognised by regulators in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands, which means that an IFA qualification can increase your employability and career opportunities within your organisation and across the world.

What is IFA?

An IFA qualification provides broad skills and knowledge with core modules that introduce the offshore finance environment, including products and services, regulation and how trusts and companies are managed. There is also the opportunity to study optional specialist modules in key areas such as financial reporting and governance, fund administration, accounting and trust administration.

Tailor your qualification to meet your career needs and our flexible course structure enables you to step on and off at certain points in the programme if your needs change.

Which qualification is right for me?

The IFA suite of qualifications is set at two different levels – Level 4 and Level 5. Level 4 is set at the level of a first year undergraduate degree, and Level 5 is set at second year undergraduate level.

The modular structure of our IFA qualifications will help you choose the level that is right for you.

IFA Level 4 Qualification is ideal if you:

Do not have any finance qualifications;
Are looking to change career; or
Have some industry experience but no recognised qualification

Read more about the Level 4 IFA Qualifications.

IFA Level 5 Qualification is ideal if you:

Are in a supervisory or junior management role and:

Hold an ICSA Level 4 Certificate in International Finance and Administration;
Hold a Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration (COFA) qualification;
Have a relevant university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognised institution
Hold a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma in International Trust Management

Read more about the Level 5 IFA Qualifications.

How do I study?

You can study an IFA qualification independently or with a registered tuition provider. ICSA provides all the materials you need to study for an IFA qualification, but if you choose to get tuition, our registered providers have an option to suit your situation and budget, including distance learning, classes and blended learning.

Take a look at our range of registered tuition providers near you.

The IFA study texts are available to buy from the ICSA shop.

Why study with ICSA?

All of our training courses and qualifications have been researched and developed using specialist insight and expertise. Here are the top 5 reasons students have given for why they prefer to study with ICSA:

Access to knowledge and guidance resources via our online hub, MyICSA
Dedicated study materials including sample and past exam papers with comprehensive mark schemes, examiner reports, study skills guidance and webinars covering exam technique and revision skills
Up-to-date ebooks containing the most recent case studies
Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals and the chance to attend CPD events in your area and across the UK, Crown Dependencies and worldwide
ICSA student membership during your studies.
Upon completion of the qualification, you will be eligible to take up Affiliated membership.

Please contact our Student Support team if there is anything you need to check before signing up for one of our qualifications.

'I liked how the modules cover a vast range of subjects, from trust to investments, and how all the modules interlink…The content covered in my modules helps to back up my knowledge learnt at work and highlights the reasons why we do things in the finance industry.'
Sally Baudains, Custody Administrator, Capita Asset Services