GENERAL QUERIES FAQs

ACT Qualifications

Q. Is the ACT globally recognised?

A. Yes, the ACT is proud to have been delivering internationally recognised qualifications since 1982. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications. We do this by defining standards of good practice and by championing continuing professional development.

Q. Are there any approved centres offering ACT qualifications?

A. No, we do not have any approved centres that offer ACT qualifications. All the qualifications are delivered via the ACT.

Q. I started a qualification that the ACT no longer offers but did not complete it. What qualification can I enrol onto to continue my studies?

A. Please get in touch with our learning team at learning@treasurers.org to discuss your next steps.

Q.  I can’t pay for my qualification by credit card. How can I book?

A. Please email the Learning team at learning@treasurers.org to discuss your options.

Q. What is the difference between a training course and a qualification?

A. If you are seeking professional development and need to fill a skills gap, you can attend an online training course or take an online eLearning course. Both are shorter options than embarking on our qualifications and can be completed in a couple of hours or days. Training and eLearning courses are not accrediated. 

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?

A. Yes, you can study our qualifications and eLearning courses from anywhere you are in the world. The learning materials for our qualifications and eLearning courses are delivered online through the ACT Learning study site; meaning you can access learning content wherever you are in the world and have the flexibility to study when and where you want.

 

Studying ACT qualifications

Q. I am interested in taking a qualification with the ACT. What level do I start at?

A. The level you start at will depend on your experience. There are no entry requirements for the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals or the Award in International Cash Management, but we do have entry requirements for the rest of our qualifications. Please refer to each qualification individual page that gives information about entry requirements. 

Q. I don’t know which qualification is right for me. How can I decide?

A. We offer a progressive learning path for those choosing treasury. Our qualifications are mapped to four treasury job levels of the ACT Competency Framework: tactical, operational, managerial and strategic. Whether you decide to take the Treasury or Cash Management pathway, there is a qualification to suit your needs at whatever level you are at. On each qualification page on our Learning study site, there is a ‘Check it's right for you’ section which lists just some of the reasons why you should enrol onto that qualification. Please also see our qualifications pathway page for further details. You can also request a free sample of the study materials for all our qualifications.  

Q. How long will it take me to complete my qualification?

A. The length of time you will have access to your learning materials on the Learning study site will depend on which qualification you are enrolled onto. For example, you can complete the learning for all units of the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals in 3-6 months so the 9-month learning licence gives you plenty of time to choose when you want to sit your assessment.

Treasury qualifications

Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals – You will have a 9-month learning licence but you can plan your study time and complete the qualification in 1 to 3 months.

Certificate in Treasury – You will have an 18-month learning licence but you can plan your study time and complete the qualification in 3 to 6 months.

Diploma in Treasury Management – You will have a 24-month learning licence but you can plan your study time and complete the qualification in 12 to 18 months.

Diploma in Treasury Management (Accountants) – You will have a 15-month learning licence but you can plan your study time and complete the qualification in 12 to 15 months.

Cash Management qualifications

Award in International Cash Management – You will have a 6-month learning licence but you can plan your study time and complete the qualification in 1 to 3 months.

Certificate in International Cash Management – You will have an 18-month learning licence but you can use the study guide to help plan your study time and complete the qualification in 9 to 12 months.

Award & Certificate in International Cash Management Package (when purchased together) – You will have a 24-month learning licence to complete both qualifications but you can plan your study time and complete the qualification in 1 to 3 months.

Q. What will I receive once I have completed my qualification?

Treasury qualifications 

Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals - You will receive a digital Badge of Completion plus Surpass Certificate.

Certificate in Treasury - You will receive a digital Certificate and Badge of Completion plus Surpass Unit Certificate for individual unit.

Diploma in Treasury Management - You will receive a hard copy Certificate, Digital Certificate and Badge of Completion plus Surpass Unit Cert for individual unit.

Cash Management qualifications

Award in International Cash Management - You will receive a digital Badge of Completion plus Surpass Certificate. 

Certificate in International Cash Management - You will receive a digital Certificate and Badge of Completion plus Surpass result.

Q. Can I get hard copies of the learning materials?

A. Study resources are available online via the ACT Learning study site, which offers maximum flexibility and allows you to access your learning materials anywhere and at any time.

PDF versions can be downloaded and printed. The materials are available in ePUB – an ebook version for use with readers like the iPad, Android and Windows phones and a mobi version for use with e-readers like the Kindle. If the learning materials are updated, the Programme Manager will inform the Students.

Q. What other resources are available throughout my studies?

A. There are a variety of resources available. You can contact your tutor using the Student forum, asking questions, and discussing challenges with fellow students. In additional to your learning materials, there are several progress tests, practice and past papers, webinars, podcasts, and the Treasurer's Wiki.

We offer a 1-2-1 coaching service if you need any support in a specific area as you work through your learning material, you can book a personalised 1-2-1 online coaching session with a dedicated tutor. 

There is a Community Hub, which provides you with a space to meet and engage virtually, with members, tutors, guest speakers and ACT staff, and gives you some great added extras such as:

  • Join live online sessions and Q&A’s with guest tutors and speakers

  • Our resource library: discover and learn new topics with our comprehensive library.

  • The discussion forum: a space for you to ask and answer questions and network with your peers and tutors.

 

Q. I no longer have access to the study site, but I am taking an assessment. How do I access practice papers and familiarise myself with the assessment platform?

A. You will be required to purchase an eAffiliate membership via the following link: https://learning.treasurers.org/assessment/membership/buy. Only ACT members can access practice papers via ACT Learning: https://learning.treasurers.org/assessment/practice-exams.

Q. Do I have to take the units in any order?

A. Treasury qualifications

Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals – Our advice is to learn the three units in order.

Certificate in Treasury – We strongly recommend that you learn unit 1 first, and then work through the other four units in order.

Diploma in Treasury Management – We strongly recommend that you learn units 1 and 2 before unit 3. You can take units 4A and 4B before or after unit 3.

Cash Management qualifications

Award in International Cash Management – Our advice is to learn the three units in order.

Certificate in International Cash Management – We strongly recommend that you learn unit 1 first and then work through the other five units in order.

 

Exemptions

Q. Are there any exemptions available?

A. Yes, you may be eligible for an exemption from one or more qualifications or from units of a qualification. This will depend on your work experience or the current qualification(s) you hold. Please see the entry requirements section of the qualification you are interested in for further information or see the individual qualifications page you are interested in. https://learning.treasurers.org/qualifications.

Q. When should I purchase my exemptions?

A. You can purchase your exemptions when you first book onto the qualification. You will need to purchase all your relevant exemptions before you become ACT qualified.

If you are applying for direct entry onto the Diploma in Treasury Management, you must purchase all your relevant exemptions before or at the same time as booking onto the qualification.

Q. If I am eligible for a full exemption from an ACT qualification will I receive a certificate, and can I use the designatory letters after my name?

A. No. If you are eligible for a full exemption for any of our qualifications, you will not need to study or take any assessments so you will not be able to use the designatory letters after your name and you will not receive a certificate for that qualification.

 

Bursaries 

Q. Does the ACT offer bursaries?

A. The ACT offers bursaries to assist students from developing countries who are unable to fund or gain sponsorship for their studies, to study for an ACT qualification. Please see our bursary page for more information.

 

Purchasing your qualifications

Q. Do I have to buy all units at the same time?

Treasury qualifications

A. Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals – This qualification is made up of three units which are purchased together.

Units for the Certificate in Treasury and the Diploma in Treasury Management can be purchased separately or as a bundle. You will benefit from a discount on the overall cost of the qualification when you purchase the bundle.

Cash Management qualifications

Award in International Cash Management – This qualification is made up of three units which are purchased together.

Certificate in International Cash Management - This qualification is made up of the six units which are purchased together.

If you buy the Award in International Cash Management and Certificate in International Cash Management at the same time, you will pay a discounted fee.

Q. Can I pay for my qualification in installments?

A. No. We must receive payment in full for your individual unit or full qualification and student membership before you can be enrolled and given access to your learning materials. 

Q. Will my qualification expire once I am qualified?

A. No, your qualification will not expire. Upon completion of your qualification, you must ensure you have current membership to continue to use the relevant designatory letters after your name. For details on the designatory letters that you can use, please go to: https://www.treasurers.org/membership/become-a-member/student.

 

Membership

Q. How can I be affiliated with the ACT?

A. You will become a Student Member of the ACT when you enrol onto one of our qualifications.

If you don’t want to enrol onto a qualification, you can become an eAffiliate Member. 

Benefits include:

access the very latest in treasury and finance developments from the ACT Policy and Technical team

topical webinars and The Treasurer magazine

priority booking for our Membership events 

joining the free mentoring service

part of the dynamic global community where you'll have support from and access to the very best treasury expertise and thinking from over 7,000 members in over 100 countries.

Please go to https://www.treasurers.org/membership/become-a-member/eaffiliate for further information. 

Q. How do I become a student member?

A. When you book onto an ACT qualification through ACT Learning, you'll need to purchase your student membership. Membership whilst studying is designed to support you as you work towards achieving your ACT qualification. The type of membership you need to hold will depend on which qualification you are studying for. Please visit our student membership page for more information.

Q. Can I take an assessment without being a current member or student member?

A. No, you need to have current student membership or be a current eAffiliate member to take an assessment. If your licence has expired or you are taking the assessment-only route, you will need to apply for eAffiliate membership via the following link: https://learning.treasurers.org/assessment/membership/buy.

Once your eAffiliate membership has been added to your record, you can buy your assessment.

 

Online and Face-to-face Training courses

Q. How do I book a training course on behalf of an employee?

A. You can book a training course on behalf of an employee(s) by contacting learning@treasurers.org

Q. I can’t pay for the course by credit card. How do I pay?

A. Please email the Learning team at learning@treasurers.org to discuss your options.

Q. What are the dates for the training courses?

A. Dates are posted on the website. Please check https://learning.treasurers.org/training for further details.

Q. What do I get on a training course?

A. You will be given access to the study site where you can access pre-learning materials prior to the course.

Q. What do I get after the training course?

A.  After you attend the training, you will have access to the ACT Learning study site for 60 days after the course has ended where you can view resources and the recorded session(s). You will also receive a digital badge to share with your network and showcase your achievement.  

Q. Where does the training take place?

A. Public training courses are offered online only.

Q. Are there any discounts available for your training courses? 

A. We may offer discounts from time to time. We offer a group discount of 25% off the combined course fee for three or more people from the same organisation, if they book onto any one of the ACT online or face-to-face courses. We also offer 15% early bird discount for a limited time. The group discount and early bird discount cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.

 

eLearning

Q. What is an ACT eLearning course?

A. An ACT eLearning course is an interactive video/course which takes about 45-90 minutes to complete. Our eLearning series develops an awareness of the role of treasury and of the treasurer. The seven courses are a useful introduction for anyone new to the profession as each one builds understanding of the purpose of treasury within the context of business and explores some of the key activities treasury undertakes. You can take an individual course, a combination, or the entire series of 7 courses.

Q. How do I book an eLearning course on behalf of an employee?

A. You will not be able to book an eLearning course on behalf of someone else. The delegate who would like to attend will need to create their own account on our website here and book the course themselves. 

Q. How do I access the eLearning course?

A. Once you have been enrolled onto the eLearning course, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the course via our Learning Study Site.

Q. How long will I have access to an eLearning course?

A. You will have access to the online content of an individual eLearning course in the Learning study site for 90 days or 12 months upon booking if you book an annual licence for all seven courses.   

Q. Do I need to book an assessment for the eLearning course?

A. There are no assessments for our eLearning courses but you will receive a certificate of completion.

 

Treasury function

Q. How I can learn more about what corporate treasury entails?

A. Our eLearning series develops an awareness of the role of treasury and the treasurer. The seven courses are a useful introduction for anyone new to the profession or interested in treasury. Please go to https://learning.treasurers.org/elearning for further information on our eLearning series. Alternatively, if you are interested in taking a qualification please go to https://learning.treasurers.org/qualifications for further details.

Q. Where can I find treasury career advice?

A. Our ACT Career Hub is available to all our students and members. You can buy eAffiliate membership via the following link: https://www.treasurers.org/membership/studentmemberform and then access our career hub.

Q. How can I find information on what skills treasury professionals need?

A. The skills a treasury professional needs over their career varies according to seniority. The competencies have been benchmarked and mapped to four job levels; tactical, operational, managerial and strategic. Please see our ACT competency framework by job level.

Q. Does the ACT pass on CVs to other organisations?

A. No, but if you would like to see treasury roles advertised on our website, please go to https://www.treasurers.org/latest-jobs.