The Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals (CertTF) is the perfect first step into the exciting world of treasury, corporate finance and financial markets. The qualification will introduce you to the financial world of treasury and accounting, tax and regulation. It will teach you how to manage risk and the cash and liquidity of a business and provide you with the knowledge and tactical ‘hands-on’ skills to enable you to help safeguard an organisation’s financial stability.
Perfect if you are:
- considering a career in treasury or corporate finance
- in the early stages of your career and need to know about treasury
- in a role that works closely with treasury
- moving to a treasury role.
Digital Credentials
On successful completion of the qualification, we’ll issue and send you a link to your digital credentials: a badge. Digital credentials are a great way to showcase your achievement, and can be easily and safely displayed on your CV or website or shared online via LinkedIn, email signatures, social media, blogs and ePortfolios.
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LEARNING |
Three online units |
3-6 months study time |
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ASSESSMENT |
One online exam |
90 minute multiple choice exam |
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MEMBERSHIP |
You are a Student member of the ACT while you study and once qualified, you are eligible to become an eAffiliate member. |
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The Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals is made up of three units. Once you have completed this course, you will be ready to progress on to the Certificate in Treasury.
- Unit 1: Introduction to the financial world
- Unit 2: Principles of treasury operations
- Unit 3: Overview of financial markets and corporate finance.
At the end of this qualification you will be able to:
- describe the environment in which a treasury professional works, including knowledge of relevant accounting, tax and regulations
- explain the fundamental importance of governance, ethics, compliance and audit to the treasury function and the organisation as a whole
- describe key treasury risks and the tools used to identify, assess, manage, mitigate and report on them
- explain the role of treasury and the importance of managing internal and external relationships
- describe how a treasury function is structured and the processes and controls needed to enable its effective operation
- describe how the organisation’s cash and short-term liquidity requirements are managed
- explain the main financial markets and products used by treasury to secure funding
- explain the key fundamentals and market conventions when undertaking money market, foreign currency and interest rate transactions
- describe core corporate finance theories and relate these to practical funding and project appraisal situations.
For a full description of the course content, download the syllabus.
Would you like a free sample of the study materials for the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals so that you can try before you buy? You can request for a sample to be emailed to you by filling in your details in the form below.
If you want to hear an example of our podcasts, click here to listen to a clip from one that gives essential hints and tips to help you through the CertTF.
There are no entry requirements for this certificate.
Are you looking for a more advanced qualification? Take a look at our Certificate in Treasury.
There are a number of ways for you to get recognition for your previous studies of either professional qualifications or at university. This may result in an exemption from the whole qualification.
Qualified accountant
If you are ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS qualified or qualified with an IFAC recognised body, you are exempt from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals.
We recommend that you begin your studies with the Certificate in Treasury as you will be exempt from certain units of the Certificate in Treasury. Take a look at the accountancy exemptions information to see which exemptions apply to you.
If these exemptions apply to you, you can automatically start the Certificate in Treasury.
Prior work experience
If you have three years’ experience of working in a treasury role or working with treasury in either a financial institution or a treasury consultancy, then you may be exempt from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals and we recommend you start with the Certificate in Treasury.
When booking for the Certificate in Treasury, you will need to complete and upload a work experience declaration form.
If you are unsure that your work experience is sufficient to begin with the Certificate in Treasury, then take a look at the operational level of the ACT Competency Framework. If you recognise these competencies in your personal work, then the Certificate in Treasury will be a suitable starting point for your studies.
If the prior work experience exemption applies to you, you can automatically start the Certificate in Treasury.
Previous degree
If you have any of the following qualifications, you are exempt from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals:
(A) Recognised degree in accounting or a joint honours degree if achieved within the last 10 years
You are eligible for exemption from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals if you have a recognised degree in accounting or a joint honours degree combining two of the following subjects and if this has been achieved within the last 10 years:
- accounting
- finance
- economics
- banking
- business studies.
Your degree will need to be from:
- a UK higher education institute or
- any other institute that is recognised by the UK ENIC as being at an equivalent academic level.
You will need to upload your qualification certificate, or Statement of Comparability if you have gone through NARIC, when booking.
(B) MBA
You are eligible for exemption from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals if your MBA is from an accredited institution:
- AACSB
- AMBA
- EQUIS.
You will need to provide a copy of your qualification certificate.
(C) Recognised degree in any other graduate discipline
If you have a recognised degree in any graduate discipline and you have twelve months' experience of working in a treasury role or working with treasury in either a financial institution or a treasury consultancy, then you are eligible for exemption from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals and we recommend you start with the Certificate in Treasury.
When booking for the Certificate in Treasury, you will need to complete and upload a work experience declaration form.
If you are unsure that your work experience is sufficient to begin with the Certificate in Treasury, then take a look at the operational level of the ACT Competency Framework. If you recognise these competencies in your personal work, then the Certificate in Treasury will be a suitable starting point for your studies.
If the previous degree exemption applies to you, you can automatically start the Certificate in Treasury.
I have qualified with an ACT Accredited University
If you are studying or have studied with one of our accredited universities, you may be exempt from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals and certain units of the Certificate in Treasury. Select your university below for more detailed information on how to apply based on your qualification.
- MSc Financial Management
Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt GmbH (University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt)
- Masters in Treasury and Investment Programme
- BSc Accounting and Finance
- MSc Finance
- MSc Accounting & Finance
- MSc Financial Business Management
- MSc Banking & Finance
- MSc Investment and Financial Risk Management
- Masters of Applied Finance
- BA International Finance and Banking
- MSc Banking and Finance
We upgraded our study site and you will have an interactive and engaging experience.
This qualification is delivered online through the ACT Learning study site, and you can start your studies at any time.
Our assessments are on demand, so you will be able to book your exam at a time convenient to you and when you feel ready.
We estimate you should be able to complete the course in one to three months alongside your full-time work.
You will receive a variety of learning materials and support, which includes:
- study guides that take you through the learning step by step. These can be downloaded if you prefer to learn offline
- short activities to complete at the end of each reading
- practice progress tests after each unit
- webinars which explain certain concepts in more detail
- podcasts to supplement your learning
- practice exams
- student discussion forum - post questions to the tutor and network with like-minded students
- 1-2-1 coaching sessions (additional cost).
If you would like some additional support to help you get assessment ready, you can book 1-2-1 coaching in addition to your online learning package.
It’s up to you to decide when you are ready to opt in and take your assessment. You can take your assessments from anywhere in the world, wherever you have a reliable internet connection.
The assessment is one online exam and is available on demand.
| LENGTH | FORMAT | NOMINAL PASS MARK | OTHER INFORMATION |
| 90-minute exam | 75 Multiple choice questions | 76% | In order to pass the assessment you must score at least 8 of the 16 calculation questions correctly |
You can view all the dates and detailed assessment information here:
Book your assessment from the link below.
When booking onto the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals you will need to become a student member of the ACT.
This gives you access to lots of great things:
- subscription to The Treasurer magazine
- careers resources
- events, regional groups and webinars
- policy and technical updates
- mentoring service.
Remember to take advantage of these membership benefits - they really help make your introduction into treasury a fuller experience and will ensure you grow your professional network, especially if you are just starting out! When you have successfully completed the course, you will be eligible to become an eAffiliate member and use the designatory letters CertTF. These are the internationally recognised letters that go after your name that recruiters and employers look out for. You can find out more about ACT membership here.
When you start studying, you buy your online learning materials and student membership at the same time. Your assessment can be booked at a later date, when you feel prepared and ready to sit the exam.
| Online learning materials | GBP 820 |
| Online assessment | GBP 140 |
| Student membership | GBP 133 |
Fees are subject to the local VAT rate where applicable,
Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals exemption fees:
If you are eligible for an exemption from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals, you can automatically start the Certificate in Treasury without paying any fee.
Ready to buy?
First, log in to your ACT Learning account, If you do not have one, you will be prompted to create one. Have your credit/debit card details to hand; you will be required to make online payment through Stripe. We accept AMEX, Mastercard and Visa card payments. Upon submission, you will receive an automated summary email. A student membership fee is payable on booking.
Your student membership is valid for the duration of your 9-month learning licence, or until you pass your full qualification, whichever is soonest.
Your booking will be processed within three working days.
You will be sent a booking confirmation with information on how to start your studies and at this time you will become a Student member of the ACT.
The ACT Educational Trust is a charity that promotes the treasury profession through education and support. The Trust 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. If you are a national and resident of one of the countries listed here, and are unable to gain sponsorship for your studies from your employer, you can apply for a bursary for the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals. The bursary covers the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals course fee, student membership fee and assessment fee.
We can also deliver treasury fundamentals learning to companies with teams that are interested in taking either the full qualification or selected units, and tailor it to your business needs. Find out more about in-company solutions here