Supported by
The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) offers a limited number of free qualifications to Black and Asian students who are living in the UK and Europe. Generously supporting this is Fitch Group, comprised of Fitch Ratings, Fitch Solutions, Fitch Learning, and Sustainable Fitch, who are funding the assessment costs of these students.
Both Fitch and the ACT are passionate about creating opportunities for those who are underrepresented in the treasury profession, and the treasury community is very supportive of our work in this area. The programme is not open to those in developing countries – this is covered by the existing bursary programme funded by the ACT’s Educational Trust, about which you can read more here.
For 2023, we are offering even more funded qualifications: 58 scholarships for the ACT’s Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals (no entry requirements) and 20 scholarships for our Certificate in Treasury qualification, for which you need to be a qualified accountant through ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA, or their reciprocal bodies. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Details of the qualifications can be found below. The ACT will provide the learning materials and student membership for free. Fitch will cover the costs of an assessment and one re-sit of that assessment, if necessary.
Last year all the scholarships were snapped up within days, so please apply now as the places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If courses are not started within two months of confirmation they will be reallocated to another applicant. If you are not successful this time, your name will be added to a waiting list and we will contact you should a place become available in this year’s programme, or for the 2024 intake.
ACT Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals
The exciting first step into treasury, corporate finance and financial markets that equips you with knowledge and tactical ‘hands-on’ skills.
Study time: 1-3 months
Assessments: one online assessment (1.5 hours)
Entry requirements: no entry requirements
ACT competency framework: tactical level
Find out more about the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals
ACT Certificate in Treasury (one unit)
Build on your knowledge as a qualified accountant to become a trusted treasury professional. Fully funded exemptions apply, with only one unit to take.
Study time: 3-4 months
Assessments: one two-hour online assessment
Entry requirements: accountancy qualification through ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA, or their reciprocal bodies
ACT Competency Framework: operational level
A range of benefits come from taking these qualifications, including:
The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow.
At Fitch Group we believe a more diverse and inclusive financial market ecosystem is a more sustainable one. We are investing alongside our customers, vendors and partners to broaden access to our market to talented individuals with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and opinions.
Fitch Group is a global leader in financial information services with more than 4,000 employees and operations in more than 30 countries. Fitch Group is comprised of: Fitch Ratings, a global leader in credit ratings and research, and Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of data, research and analytics. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.
I recently completed the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals course offered by The Association of Corporate Treasurers, sponsored by Fitch Group. The course was extremely valuable in helping me gain a deeper understanding of my clients’ needs and the importance of risk management within an operations function. I appreciated that the course was structured in a manageable way and wasn’t too long allowing me to complete it alongside my full-time work commitments. The course material was engaging and provided practical insights that I could apply directly to my work. Overall, I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to enhance their knowledge in treasury, risk management, and operations.
I did a single unit [of the Certificate in Treasury] (being exempt from the other four units because I am an accountant) on technology, governance and ethics – topics that span every area of my current role. These include payments, segregation of duties, and controls around bank accounts; policies around spend; travel; and the elements of risk that one must be aware of. These are all generic in nature, but critical in every function of treasury and, in fact, finance. It’s been relevant all the way through. It really helped me understand risk – and the different types of risk that a business faces. The qualification rubber-stamps the notion of a subject-matter expert. I’m a chartered accountant as well, so not only are you regarded as a professional with a set level of integrity within the accountancy industry, the qualification with the ACT gives you the same regard in treasury.