CIFHA study guide
CIFHA · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified International Financial Health Analyst (CIFHA) is a professional credential for analysts who assess the financial condition of companies, borrowers, or portfolios and translate that assessment into a defensible view of stability, liquidity, and risk. It suits credit analysts, financial statement analysts, corporate finance and FP&A staff, risk and compliance professionals, and advisors who need a structured, cross-border vocabulary for judging financial health rather than simply computing ratios. The CIFHA study guide has 6 sections and about 1,502 words.
01Financial Statement Analysis
Financial statement analysis builds a coherent picture from the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Candidates must know the structure of each statement, the articulation between them (retained earnings links net income to equity; ending cash on the cash flow statement must reconcile to the balance sheet), and the distinction between accrual accounting and cash movements.
271 words, about 1 min02Financial Health Assessment and Metrics
Financial health assessment evaluates solvency, profitability, and stability using a structured set of metrics. Candidates should understand working capital, the current and quick ratios, debt-to-equity, interest coverage, return on assets and equity, and gross and operating margins.
247 words, about 1 min03Ratio and Trend Analysis
Ratio and trend analysis turns raw statements into comparable, time-series signals. Candidates must understand the major ratio families-liquidity, leverage, efficiency (turnover), profitability, and market value-and how to compute and interpret them.
252 words, about 1 min04Cash Flow and Liquidity Analysis
Cash flow analysis focuses on the statement of cash flows, split into operating, investing, and financing activities. Candidates should understand the indirect method (starting from net income, adjusting for non-cash items and working capital changes) and the direct method.
256 words, about 1 min05Risk Management and Credit Assessment
Credit assessment evaluates a borrower's capacity and willingness to repay. Candidates must understand the classic credit framework-character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions-and the quantitative tools: leverage ratios, coverage ratios, liquidity, and cash flow adequacy.
233 words, about 1 min06Financial Planning and Forecasting
Financial planning translates strategy into projected statements. Candidates should understand the percent-of-sales method, pro forma construction, the sustainable growth rate, and the external financing needed (EFN) concept.
243 words, about 1 min