Chartered financial modeler

Build on your Advanced Financial Modeler accreditation by demonstrating complex problem-solving skills in modelling

Overview

Swimmers in three lanes, with the middle one about to reach the end

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 accreditation.

Where 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 should aim to achieve the CFM accreditation if:

you value your AFM accreditation and want to build upon it
you want to showcase your problem solving and creativity in the face of more sophisticated and complex modeling problems
you want to demonstrate the calibre of your modeling to future employers and clients
you value being part of an elite and collaborative global community of modelers.

Learning outcomes
Contents
Additional information
Handbook download

The Chartered Financial Modeler (CFM) accreditation from Financial Modeling Institute (FMI), is the only credential based on real-world financial modeling challenges. By gaining CFM accreditation you will:

build upon your AFM accreditation
be able to showcase problem solving and creativity in the face of complex problems
engage with and interpret models developed by others, with an aim to enhancing them effectively.

The CFM exam

Upon registering for CFM, you will receive access to the learning resources in the FMI Community and one attempt at the CFM exam.

The CFM exam is an online, proctored exam and offered annually in October. The next exam date is 25 October 2025. During the exam you will be given three challenging questions; you must answer two of them. The questions are drawn from the 12 topics in the CFM Body of Knowledge.

The learning materials

The best way to prepare for the exam is to review and recreate all previous CFM exam questions. To help you with this you will have access to CFM learning materials including:

CFM Body of Knowledge
CFM Exam Index - a summary of the available past questions and answers from all previous CFM exams
case studies
sample exams
a one-hour Q&A session with FMI to address your questions prior to the exam.

It should be noted that the learning resources are not available on the ACCA Learning platform, but directly from FMI.

You must have achieved AFM accreditation before registering for the CFM exam and accreditation.
The CFM learning resources are available directly through the FMI Community. You will be subject to FMI's privacy conditions once you purchase and register for the CFM accreditation.
The CFM accreditation is designed and delivered by Financial Modeling Institute.
Purchasing the CFM accreditation includes access to the learning resources (including one live session with FMI experts) and registration for the exam.
You will be eligible to sit the CFM accreditation exam in the year you register or the following calendar year.
Estimated time commitment is upwards of 75 hours of learning, but you may spend more hours self-studying and preparing for the exam.

CFM candidate handbook

Price

ACCA 475 GBP

Public 575 GBP

Location

Global

Date & time

On demand

Book on ACCA Learning

Course providers

Logos of ACCA and Financial Modelling Institute