Trade finance is a key area of financial services with a broad range of career opportunities. We answer five questions that people regularly ask about the Certificate in Supply Chain Finance (CSCF) covering what it is and how it can enhance your career.
What is the CSCF qualification?
CSCF gives trade finance professionals the opportunity to broaden their skills and knowledge on many relevant areas such as:
- the supply chain finance environment
- the trade cycle analysis process
- the impact of trade cycles on working capital
An internationally recognized qualification for trade finance professionals, CSCF is endorsed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and is supported by:
- Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT)
- International Trade and Forfaiting Association (IFTA)
- Global Supply Chain Finance Forum (GSCFF)
- UK Finance.
Because CSCF is an online course, you’ll have the flexibility to study anywhere you want at a time that works for you. So, your studying will not interfere with your work and other commitments.
What is supply chain finance?
Supply Chain Finance is a set of financing and risk mitigation solutions that facilitate domestic and international supply chains. Supply Chain Finance is typically applied to open account trade.
How do I register for CSCF?
It’s easy to register for CSCF using our online registration system. You’ll then have a year from registering to complete the course and sit your exam.
Your assessment will be a two and a half hour exam and will consist of two sections:
- three case studies with five multiple-choice and five multi-response questions
- 60 multiple-choice questions.
You can book your exam at any designated test centre around the world, or through remote invigilation.
What are the benefits of doing CSCF?
Completing CSCF will help you perform better in your role. CSCF will enhance your understanding of the physical supply chain events, it will provide you with the skills required to better understand your clients’ requirements and will enable you to identify all the solutions available to clients during the entire trade lifecycle.
When you’ve successfully completed the exam, you can add the professional designation CSCF after your name. You’ll also earn continued professional development (CPD) learning hours or personal development units (PDUs) towards our other trade finance qualifications such as:
- Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS) recertification
- Certificate for Specialists in Demand Guarantees (CSDG) recertification
- Certificate in Trade Finance Compliance (CTFC) recertification.
How do I continue my professional development after CSCF?
To ensure your name stays on the international CSCF registry, you’ll need to recertify every three years either by:
- carrying out CPD throughout the recertification period, or
- retaking and passing the full CSCF exam.
Once you’ve successfully completed three trade finance qualifications, you'll be awarded a Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Specialists (QTFS), which will set you apart from the competition.
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