What is the CISI Combating Financial Crime (CFC) exam?

The CISI CFC exam provides a comprehensive overview of financial crime, covering money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery, corruption, and fraud prevention within the financial services sector.

How many questions are in the CISI CFC exam?

The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within 1 hour. The pass mark is 70%.

Who should take the CISI CFC qualification?

It is ideal for compliance officers, AML analysts, risk managers, and operations staff who need a global understanding of financial crime prevention frameworks.

Are there free CISI Combating Financial Crime mock exams available?

Yes, you can practice with our interactive CFC mock exam simulator below, which features exam-style questions on AML, FATF regulations, and red flags.

Which of the following describes the 'Placement' stage of money laundering?

Physically introducing bulk cash derived from illegal activities into the financial system.

Purchasing high-value assets with illicit funds to blend them into the legitimate economy.

Moving funds through multiple complex international transactions to obscure the audit trail.

Using a shell company to issue fake invoices.

Under the UK Bribery Act 2010, which of the following is considered the only statutory defense for a commercial organization accused of failing to prevent bribery?

Proving the organization had 'adequate procedures' in place designed to prevent bribery.

Proving the bribery occurred outside the UK jurisdiction.

Proving the employee acted independently without senior management knowledge.

Proving the bribe was of negligible financial value.

CISI Combating Financial Crime (CFC) Syllabus Breakdown & Guide 2026

Table of Contents

• The CISI Combating Financial Crime Syllabus
- 1. The Background and Nature of Financial Crime
- 2. Money Laundering
- 3. Terrorist Financing
- 4. Bribery and Corruption
- 5. Fraud and Market Abuse
- 6. The International Regulatory Approach
• Study Strategy: How to Pass the CFC Exam
- 1. Master the Vocabulary
- 2. Focus on the UK Bribery Act
- 3. Practice Scenario-Based Questions

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CISI Combating Financial Crime

Join thousands of students who passed on their first attempt.

Financial crime is an ever-evolving threat to global stability, costing the world economy trillions of dollars annually. In response to increasing regulatory pressure—especially from bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)—financial institutions are significantly ramping up their compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) teams.

Earning the CISI Combating Financial Crime (CFC) qualification is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate your expertise in identifying and mitigating these risks. This guide breaks down the core syllabus and provides an interactive mock exam preview to help you prepare.

The CISI Combating Financial Crime Syllabus

The CFC syllabus provides a robust, global view of the mechanisms of financial crime and the regulatory frameworks designed to stop it. Unlike localized exams, this qualification focuses on international standards.

1. The Background and Nature of Financial Crime

This foundational module explains what financial crime is and the severe economic and social consequences it carries.

Key Concepts: Distinctions between fraud, market abuse, and money laundering.
Why it matters: Understanding the reputational and regulatory damage firms face when controls fail.

2. Money Laundering

The largest section of the syllabus, focusing on the core mechanics of cleaning illicit funds.

The Three Stages: Placement, Layering, and Integration.
Vulnerabilities: Which products and services (e.g., shell companies, crypto assets, correspondent banking) are most vulnerable.

3. Terrorist Financing

While similar to money laundering, terrorist financing often involves clean money moving to illicit actors.

Differences: Source of funds vs. use of funds.
Red Flags: Identifying abnormal transaction patterns that suggest terrorist financing.

4. Bribery and Corruption

A deep dive into international anti-bribery frameworks, heavily featuring the UK Bribery Act 2010.

Core Offenses: Bribing another person, receiving a bribe, bribing a foreign public official.
Corporate Liability: The “failure of commercial organizations to prevent bribery” offense and the “adequate procedures” defense.

5. Fraud and Market Abuse

Understanding how individuals and firms manipulate financial markets for unfair gain.

Market Abuse: Insider dealing, improper disclosure, and market manipulation.
Identity Fraud: Phishing, synthetic identity theft, and corporate fraud.

6. The International Regulatory Approach

How global bodies coordinate to fight financial crime.

FATF: The Financial Action Task Force and its 40 Recommendations.
Other Bodies: The role of the Egmont Group, Wolfsberg Group, and Interpol.

Interactive Playground

Explore our interactive learning tools below

Sample Question 1 of 4

This is just a taste — the full course includes far more

Study Strategy: How to Pass the CFC Exam

1. Master the Vocabulary

Financial crime has a very specific lexicon. Ensure you understand the exact definitions of terms like Placement, Layering, Integration, Predicate Offense, and Beneficial Owner. The exam will test your ability to differentiate between these closely related concepts.

2. Focus on the UK Bribery Act

Even if you are taking the exam outside the UK (e.g., in the UAE or Saudi Arabia), the CISI syllabus places significant emphasis on the UK Bribery Act 2010 because of its extraterritorial reach. You must memorize the core offenses and understand the “adequate procedures” defense.

3. Practice Scenario-Based Questions

The exam does not just ask for definitions; it presents short scenarios and asks you to identify the specific stage of money laundering occurring, or whether a specific red flag indicates terrorist financing versus fraud. Utilizing a mock exam simulator that provides realistic scenario questions is critical to passing on your first attempt.