• SKILL LEVEL:
  • Expert

Corporate finance professional

Specialism: Financial management

What is a corporate finance professional and what do they do?

Corporate finance is the managing and overseeing of a firms' financial activities and capital investment decisions. Professionals in this field are involved in a variety of matters, including raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring initiatives

Corporate finance professionals work as advisors in accountancy firms and professional services companies as well as in investment banks and brokerage firms. In larger or highly acquisitive companies, dedicated internal corporate finance roles are important contributors to strategic growth. In smaller organisations, it is more usual for corporate finance activities to be undertaken as part of the duties of a chief financial officer (CFO) or finance director (FD).

Capabilities

While the accountancy profession offers diverse career options and paths, the core capabilities required to perform at the highest standards remain the same - irrespective of skill level or job role.

Collaboration Digital Drive Ethics Expertise Insight Sustainability
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Continuing professional development at ACCA

A commitment to life-long learning is a vital part of your ACCA membership; it unlocks the full potential of your career choices - and drives forward the profession.

We deliver a wide range of CPD resources tailored to different areas of expertise - and an ever-changing profession. Our, and your, commitment to quality CPD ensures you will have the most up-to-date skills to perform at the highest standard. 

So, get started (or restarted) and take a look at our curated list of the most relevant CPD resources to secure and succeed in this role.

units 10

Online course

IFRS Introductory pack

Understand the basic concepts of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) with this eight-course pack from PwC. You’ll also be able to refresh your basic IFRS knowledge and learn new and interesting facts about the standards.

Practical examples and interim tests are included in each course to enhance understanding.

units 11

Online course

Performance management and financial modelling 10 course pack

This 10-course pack from BPP will provide you with the skills needed to ensure you can comprehensively inform your organisation when decision-making for the future, based on facts and data. Learn about metrics, using data to inform strategy and decision-making, analysing your success, and how to create high-quality financial models so you can confidently communicate this information back to your business. 

By completing this pack, you will gain a better understanding of: 

  • how data can inform an organisation’s strategy
  • how to use data to turn the strategic vision into a reality, and the role you can play
  • the balanced scorecard
  • how to use Excel for financial modelling and the rules to follow for success.
units 75

Online course

Chartered Financial Modeler

CFM is the second level of financial modeling accreditation with FMI. It builds on the knowledge gained by achieving AFM accreditation. You can only register for the CFM accreditation if you have already gained the AFM accreditationWhere the AFM exam tests your ability to construct all the components of a financial model in order to create a three-statement model, the CFM exam goes much deeper into areas of modeling that are required in intensive modeling roles. The CFM exam requires a high level of problem solving, systematic thinking and abstraction. You are required to apply your knowledge in novel ways in order to solve the exam questions.

FMI is the only financial modeling accreditation body in the world; it provides the world’s leading financial modeling accreditation programme. FMI exists to create and uphold international industry best practices with respect to financial modeling skills. Through its exams and accreditations, FMI allows candidates, employers and the broader community to recognise true ability in financial modeling.

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How does the ACCA Qualification support this job role?

From a combination of exams, ethics and experience, the ACCA Qualification will boost your employability and performance at every stage of your career journey.

Here we have listed some elements of the ACCA Qualification that will help you perform at the highest standard in this job role.