ACFCS describes the CFCS exam as covering 12 key topics across financial crime detection, prevention and compliance. The official list is in the CFCS handbook; in broad terms the syllabus spans:
Risk areas
- Money laundering and terrorist financing: methods, typologies, international standards, beneficial ownership
- Fraud: types of fraud, schemes, prevention and detection
- Sanctions: regimes, screening, evasion
- Bribery and corruption: FCPA, UK Bribery Act, international conventions, third-party risk
- Cyber-enabled financial crime: cyber fraud, ransomware, money mules
- Tax evasion and transparency: FATCA, CRS, tax crimes as predicate offences
Cross-cutting topics
- Compliance programmes and risk assessment
- Investigations and evidence
- Regulatory and law enforcement cooperation
- Ethics and professional conduct
Package materials
The CFCS certification package includes study materials, online training, one year of ACFCS membership and the exam.
Practise all areas with our CFCS questions and flashcards.
Find out where you stand
Free 10-question CFCS test, scored by exam domain. No account needed.
Independent guide, not affiliated with ACFCS. Facts checked November 2026; always confirm on the official website.