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Debt Management and International Trade

Gain a clear understanding of how organisations manage their funding needs and navigate the complexities of international trade.

About this MicroTopic

Debt management is a core treasury responsibility. It involves selecting suitable funding sources, ensuring borrowing terms — including maturity, cost and covenants — are appropriate, and managing lender relationships.

This topic gives you the knowledge and practical insight to manage an organisation’s funding needs effectively. You will explore core debt instruments, funding strategies and international trade risks, helping you support liquidity, make informed financing decisions and navigate global trade with confidence.

This is part of the Certificate in Treasury (CertT) pathway. Complete all eight MicroTopics in this set to achieve the CertT qualification.

Perfect If You:

  • already have a background in business or finance through study or work experience

  • want to specialise in a topic relevant to your role

  • want to refresh specific areas of treasury

  • are looking for more flexibility in your learning

  • are planning to discuss upskilling as part of your annual performance review

  • manage a non-treasury team and want to help a team member understand a specific treasury role.

Before you begin enrolment, have these ready:

ACT qualification completion certificate, where relevant

Employer VAT number for employer-sponsored entry

Work Experience Declaration Form and CV, if required

What You'll Study

By the end of this MicroCredential, you will be able to evaluate and recommend appropriate short-term borrowing instruments and international trade finance solutions, supported by relevant financial calculations.

You will also understand the main contemporary sources of capital available to organisations and their practical characteristics. This will help you make informed funding recommendations based on an organisation’s needs and circumstances.

Cash and Liquidity Fundamentals

Bank Debt and Debt Capital Markets

Bank Borrowing and Funding

Managing International Trade

Course Sample Materials

Who Can Enrol

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, you may be eligible for exemption from the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals and direct entry to a Certificate in Treasury MicroCredential. Select an option below to check whether an exemption applies to you.

I have completed the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals

You have automatic entry to MicroCredentials.

I Have Completed the Certificate in International Cash Management

You have automatic entry to MicroCredentials.

I am a qualified accountant

We recommend the Diploma in Treasury (Accountants) fast-track pathway.

If you wish to study MicroCredentials only, you have automatic entry. Upload a copy of your accountancy certificate when booking.

Direct Entry Through Work Experience

You have automatic entry if you have three years’ experience in a treasury role, or working with treasury in a financial institution or treasury consultancy. Upload your CV when booking.

Previous degree

You have automatic entry if you hold a recognised degree in accounting, finance, business, economics, banking or a joint honours degree. Your degree must be from:

  • a UK higher education institution, or

  • an institution recognised by the UK ENIC National Agency as being at an equivalent academic level.

Upload your degree certificate, or a Statement of Comparability if you have used NARIC, when booking.

You also have automatic entry if you hold an MBA accredited by AACSB, AMBA or EQUIS. Upload your qualification certificate when booking.

If you hold a recognised degree in another graduate discipline and have 12 months’ experience in a treasury role, or working with treasury in a financial institution or treasury consultancy, you have automatic entry. Upload your qualification certificate and CV when booking.

ACT Accredited Universities

We recommend the Certificate in Treasury. If you are studying or have studied with an ACT Accredited University, you have automatic entry to MicroCredentials. Upload your qualification certificate when booking.

CertBALM or BTRM Qualified

  • Certificate of Banking Asset Liability Management (CertBALM)

  • Certificate of Bank Treasury Risk Management (BTRM)

You have automatic entry to MicroCredentials. If you wish to complete the Diploma in Treasury Management, you must complete all eight MicroCredentials and are exempt from Units 4a and 4b.

If you hold BTRM, upload your qualification certificate when booking. We do not require a CertBALM certificate because the ACT holds your completion status.

CAS Swiss Certified Treasurer (SCT)

If you have completed the CAS Swiss Certified Treasurer (SCT) at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, you have automatic entry to MicroCredentials. Upload your qualification certificate when booking.

CFA Charterholder

If you are a CFA Charterholder, you have automatic entry to the Diploma in Treasury Management and, if you choose to study a MicroCredential, automatic entry to MicroCredentials.

CTP Qualified

If you hold the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) qualification, you have automatic entry to MicroCredentials, the Certificate in Treasury and the Certificate in International Cash Management. Upload your qualification certificate when booking.

What It Costs

When you start studying, you buy your online learning materials and student licence at the same time. Your assessment can be booked at a later date, when you feel prepared and ready to sit the exam.

To study more than one MicroCredential or complete the full set for the Certificate in Treasury, add your chosen MicroCredentials and a six- or 12-month student licence to your basket. The Education team will help you plan your study order and support you through the programme.

Student Licence

£42

Six weeks access

Learning Materials

£400

Assessment Fee

£158

Employer sponsored: All three fees can be invoiced to your organisation. Speak to the ACT team to arrange employer billing.

Self-funded: Student membership and materials paid upfront. Assessment booked and paid separately when you're ready to sit.

Extended student licence: You need a student licence for each MicroTopic. If you plan to take more than one MicroTopic, you can save money with an extended licence:

  • 6 months: total £125, save over 20%

  • 12 months: total £230, save over 25%.

Booking for Your Team

We can also deliver cash management learning to companies with teams that are interested in taking either the full qualification or selected units, and tailor it to your business needs.

Treasury team training

Useful Links

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MicroCredentials

Looking for other topics in treasury and finance? Discover the ACT’s full range of flexible MicroCredentials.

ACT My Learning - Student Learning Area

My Learning

If you are a current ACT Student, you can access your learning materials here.

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Assessment

Everything you need to know about your assessment - key dates, formats, fees, resources and post- assessment services.