Corporate Finance

CISI Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice

Name: CISI Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice
Rating: 4.7 (2758 reviews)

Official CISI Accredited Training Partner

Structured preparation for the final Level 6 CFSA unit in the CISI Diploma in Corporate Finance, covering the latest syllabus and four-hour open-book case-study assessment.

300 Answer-Planning Prompts Detailed Study Notes Written-Answer Focused Revision

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Course syllabus information reviewed for 2026. Always check the awarding body’s latest official syllabus and candidate updates before booking or sitting your exam.

5 written practice papers · 300 answer-planning prompts

Self-Paced Learning

Certificate of Completion

Full Chapter Audio Lessons New

Listen to extended lessons covering the examinable rules, numbers and traps in every chapter.

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* This is a chapter sample. All audio is available in the full version.

Prepare for the CISI Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice examination

Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice is the final Level 6 narrative unit in the current CISI Diploma in Corporate Finance route. It follows Financial Reporting and Financial Statements Analysis, Sources of Finance, Capital Investments and Valuations, and Mergers & Acquisitions and Market Regulations.

The course follows the official Version 12 syllabus and preserves the workbook’s 19 study chapters. Version 12 groups the technical content into Corporate Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Performance and Reconstructions, and supporting transaction material. The three weighted areas carry ranges of 15-35%, 35-50% and 30-50% respectively, so candidates must prepare for an integrated scenario rather than predict one fixed topic split.

The official assessment is a four-hour open-book case study. Candidates receive 55 minutes to review and annotate the information, a five-minute transition and a three-hour written stage. The assessment tests the ability to assimilate evidence, analyse financial and non-financial information, exercise professional and ethical judgement, and communicate practical recommendations. The course includes 19 lessons, 225 flashcards, 163 reference items including 38 worked calculations, 300 answer-planning practice questions in five sets, and five original four-hour written cases. The cases use an authored three-question, 100-mark design; these counts are not presented as a fixed official paper structure. Selected-response exercises support revision and answer planning rather than reproduce the official written assessment.

Key Benefits

Four-hour case-study method

Separate the 55-minute information-review stage from the three-hour writing stage and use each period deliberately.

✓ Issue and evidence mapping
✓ Analysis and calculation planning
✓ Timed report delivery

Integrated corporate-finance judgement

Connect strategic, transaction, performance and regulatory evidence before selecting a recommendation.

✓ Corporate strategy and value creation
✓ M&A alternatives and financing
✓ Performance, recovery and reconstruction

Board-level report structure

Turn case facts into balanced analysis, conclusions and practical recommendations for the intended audience.

✓ Executive summary and terms of reference
✓ Numerical and narrative evidence
✓ Risks, implementation and next steps

Syllabus

Module 1: Corporate Strategy

🎧 Audio

Analyse domestic and international business strategy and give relevant advice. This area carries an official weighting range of 15-35%.

• SWOT, PEST and Porter's Five Forces
• Growth strategy and value creation
• Acquisition versus organic growth
• Disposals and the disposal process

Module 2: Mergers and Acquisitions

Evaluate acquisition finance, valuation, enlarged-group effects, integration, restructuring, sale preparation and due diligence. This area carries an official weighting range of 35-50%.

• Acquisition financing and financial effects
• Free-cash-flow, multiples and comparable-company valuation
• Synergies and post-acquisition integration
• Schemes, sale preparation, due diligence and dividend policy

Module 3: Corporate Performance and Reconstructions

Assess advanced corporate performance, recovery, reconstruction, schemes and private equity. This area carries an official weighting range of 30-50%.

• Economic value added and performance analysis
• Business recovery and reconstruction
• Schemes of arrangement
• Role of private equity

Module 4: Supporting Material for Sections 2 and 3

Apply the transaction, capital-markets, advisory, regulatory, governance and investor-relations knowledge required within M&A and reconstruction scenarios.

• Advisory team and capital-raising methods
• Flotations, private equity and quoted-company transactions
• UK Listing Rules, Takeover Code, DTR, UK MAR and AIM Rules
• Directors, governance, shareholders and confidential information

Student Reviews

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Recent Reviews

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Samar E.

· Apr 18, 2026

★

CISI Academy learner feedback

Passed in two weeks

I improved my practice scores from 55% to 88% in just two weeks. The mock exams match the difficulty of the real test perfectly.

Noura B.

· Jul 2, 2025

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Passed GSCMR!

Saudi market rules are tough, but focusing on the CMA timelines helped me get 85% on my first try!

Daniel C.

· Feb 28, 2025

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CISI Academy learner feedback

Better than expensive seminars

I learned more on this platform than in an expensive live workshop. The practice exams are the best part.

Response from CISI Academy

Thank you Daniel! Glad to hear the study materials helped you succeed.

Zara S.

· Aug 4, 2026

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Passed with confidence

Helped a lot to clear my doubts and gain more confidence before the actual exam day. The progress tracker kept me accountable.

Reem A.

· Jan 7, 2023

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CISI Academy learner feedback

Practical and useful lessons

I used this for my CPD hours. The lessons on sanctions are very practical and helpful for my daily work.

Olivia S.

· Jun 5, 2026

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CISI Academy learner feedback

Passed my CISA exam

I needed to pass the investment schemes module for my IOC. This made fund accounting and calculations simple. The scenario questions are very realistic.

Frequently Asked Questions

The course follows CISI's latest publicly available Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice workbook and official Version 12 syllabus, with dated updates for rules that have changed. Check CISI candidate updates for your examination date.

Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice is assessed through a four-hour open-book narrative case study. Candidates have 55 minutes to review and annotate the information, a five-minute transition, and three hours for written answers. Printed reference materials are permitted; electronic reference materials are not permitted in the official exam.

CFSA is the final Level 6 unit in the current four-unit Diploma route. It follows FRFS, SFCIV and MAMR. Candidates using legacy or exemption routes should check their current eligibility directly with CISI.

Version 12 gives Corporate Strategy a 15-35% range, Mergers and Acquisitions 35-50%, and Corporate Performance and Reconstructions 30-50%. Supporting material is applied within the M&A and reconstruction sections rather than receiving a separate weighting.

No. It is an open-book narrative case study requiring analysis, professional judgement, conclusions and commercially practical recommendations. The course’s selected-response sets are answer-planning practice; its original written cases develop typed analytical recommendations. Neither is an official CISI paper.

Yes. There are five original written cases, 19 chapters, 225 flashcards, 163 reference items and 300 answer-planning practice questions. Practice feedback and the 70% mastery reference are not official grades. The official pass mark varies and is never below 50%.

Try the free written practice paper and type your answers in guided mode. The course includes 5 written practice papers. The 15 multiple-choice questions below support answer planning; they do not by themselves reproduce the official written assessment.

Try a Written Practice Paper

Type your answers in guided practice. This paper provides 100 practice marks and 240 minutes. Open guided mode to try the free written question; marking guidance appears after submission.

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The multiple-choice preview below provides additional answer-planning practice.

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Free CISI Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice Written Exam Sample Questions

Try 15 CISI Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice answer-planning prompts from Corporate Performance and Reconstructions

Practice CISI Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice written-exam answer planning with sample prompts and model structures, then unlock all five planning sets and complete syllabus coverage.

Exam Practice

Corporate Performance and Reconstructions

Scenario 1 of 15

NOPAT is £10m, invested capital £80m and WACC 10%. What is EVA?

1 / 15

Flashcards

Card 1 of 10Chapter 1

Question

A substitute and a rival differ in what way?

Tap to reveal answer

Focus Learn

Key Written-Exam Areas5

PESTEL and political risk
Five Forces and industry economics
Globalisation drivers and national advantage
Lifecycle and funding implications
SWOT, strategy levels and implementation

Written-Answer Pitfalls to Avoid3

Exam Traps3

Key Numbers5

Chapter 1: The Strategic Environment

Strategy connects long-term direction, the scope of the organisation, competitive advantage, environmental fit, resources and capabilities, and stakeholder values. A corporate finance recommendation therefore begins with the business problem, not the availability of a financing product. Strategic decisions are uncertain, cross-functional and consequential: expanding abroad changes operational demands, cash requirements and exposure to political decisions as well as potential sales.

Analyse the environment at three levels. PESTEL organises political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal influences in the wider economy. Industry analysis asks how competition and bargaining distribute value. Competitor and market analysis identifies strategic groups, customer segments and…

Unlock all Focus Learn

Open every chapter’s key areas, pitfalls, exam traps and key numbers.

Adaptive study tools

Focus weak topics, learn with feedback, then switch to exam conditions.

Practice modes

Learn first. Then prove you’re ready.

Learn with feedback, then switch to exam conditions.

Study Mode

Instant feedback & explanations

See the answer and explanation after each choice.

Practice Mode

Timed answer-planning practice

Use the timer, keep answers hidden, then review your result.

Who Is This For?

✓ Candidates preparing for the CISI Corporate Finance Strategy and Advice examination

✓ Professionals completing the current CISI Diploma in Corporate Finance route

✓ Corporate-finance advisers who need to integrate strategy, valuation, transaction and regulatory evidence

✓ Candidates preparing to write commercially focused case-study reports under time pressure

★★★★★ 4.7 (2758 reviews)