CISI Corporate Finance Certificate 2026: Units, Fees, Diploma

What the two units cover

The syllabus covers corporate finance law, regulation and techniques, and how corporate finance deals are put together to meet clients’ needs. CISI says it suits people in corporate finance and related areas such as venture capital.

CISI’s factsheet gives each unit as a one-hour exam of 50 multiple-choice questions, and the Version 21 Technical Foundations sample paper matches that, scoring 35 to 50 as a pass. Both units move to new syllabus versions in April 2027.

Syllabus version changeover dates →

Is the CISI corporate finance certificate approved by the FCA?

Yes. The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) appropriate qualification table lists the Certificate in Corporate Finance, for passes after 31 March 2024, for activity 8: giving personal recommendations on investments in the course of corporate finance business. Its key is 1, which means it meets the qualification requirement on its own.

How the FCA’s table works →

Certificate in Corporate Finance fees

Item	Fee
Exam fee, Corporate Finance Regulation	£245
Exam fee, Corporate Finance Technical Foundations	£245
CISI workbook, each unit	£105
One unit’s exam, workbook and Revision Express together	£365

Total CISI qualification costs →

The ICAEW/CISI Diploma in Corporate Finance

The next step is the Diploma in Corporate Finance, a joint programme with ICAEW that Ofqual lists at Level 6 with 537 hours of total qualification time. The FCA’s table lists it for activity 8 as well. Its written exam, Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice, is open book, so you may bring printed texts and notes. To start it you need the Certificate in Corporate Finance, the ACA or another accountancy qualification CISI recognises. CISI’s UK exam fees for its four units are:

Item	Fee
Level 3 Financial Reporting and Financial Statements Analysis	£113
Level 4 Sources of Finance, Capital Investments and Valuations	£152
Level 6 Mergers and Acquisitions and Market Regulations	£170
Level 6 Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice	£437

Sources: CISI · FCA Handbook · Ofqual and 5 more. Checked October 2026.