Career path
Starting out in finance: your exam route
New to financial services, or moving into it? Three entry-level exams give you a recognised first credential: two CISI exams for UK, UAE and international roles, and FINRA's SIE for the US. Here is how to choose.
Who this path is for
- New joiners in banks, brokers, asset managers and insurers
- Support staff in HR, IT, operations, marketing or finance who want the business context
- Graduates and career-switchers building a first finance credential
Your exams
CISI FFS — Fundamentals of Financial Services
£39
A light, broad first grounding: banks, shares, bonds, derivatives, markets, funds, insurance and pensions.
180 practice questions · 8 chapters · exam: 30 questions · 1 hour
CISI IISI — International Introduction to Securities & Investment
£29
Broader coverage of securities, investment and market structure, and the lowest-priced route to a CISI credential.
514 practice questions · 10 chapters · exam: 50 questions
FINRA SIE — Securities Industry Essentials
$49
The US entry exam: products and their risks, trading, customer accounts, prohibited activities and the regulatory framework. Open to anyone 18 or over.
300 practice questions · 4 sections · exam: 75 questions · 1 hr 45 min
Which order?
- FFS first if you want a shorter, lighter start. It has 30 questions in one hour and covers how banks, shares, bonds, derivatives and markets fit together.
- IISI first if you want broader coverage of securities and investment. It has more questions to work through and is the lowest-priced CISI credential we cover.
- SIE first if you're aiming at US securities work. It's open to anyone 18 or over and it's the first exam on the way to the Series 7, 63, 65 or 66. It's priced in US dollars.
- Then a specialism once you know the area you're heading into. See the other career paths for the next step.
UAE-licensed roles. For UAE-licensed roles, the CMA licensing chart pairs UAE Financial Rules & Regulations (FRR) with FFS for trading managers and broker representatives. Check the current guidance for your own role. See the
UAE licensing guide.
Career paths are a guide, not a rule. Requirements vary by employer and regulator, so confirm what your own role needs before you book an exam.
Related guides
FAQ
Do I need a finance degree?
No. Both exams are aimed at people starting out. The syllabus explains the industry from the ground up.
Which is cheaper?
IISI is £29, FFS is £39 and SIE is $49. All are one-time payments with no expiry.
Not sure this is your path?
Compare every exam side by side, by career.
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