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Finance English — Free CFA, Banking & Financial Reporting Terminology

Termify's Finance English module teaches 700+ technical terms used in trading, corporate banking, investment analysis, fintech and financial reporting. Master CFA vocabulary, banking terminology, IFRS/GAAP reporting language and derivatives expressions — all with native pronunciation and IPA transcriptions. 100% free, forever.

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Finance English Overview

What Is Finance English and Why Does It Matter?

Finance English is the specialized technical vocabulary used by professionals in banking, capital markets, investment management, financial reporting and fintech. Unlike general business English, finance English requires precise terminology drawn from accounting standards, regulatory frameworks and market conventions. A misunderstood term in a trading instruction, audit report or client briefing can lead to costly errors and compliance violations.

Finance professionals communicate across borders daily. An equity analyst in Frankfurt presents to fund managers in London. A compliance officer in Singapore files reports following IFRS standards written in English. A corporate banker in Dubai structures deals using terminology defined by international conventions. In every case, fluency in finance English is not optional — it is a professional requirement.

Termify's Finance English module covers four core domains that together form the complete vocabulary landscape for financial professionals:

Trading and Capital Markets

Trading English covers equity markets, fixed income, foreign exchange and commodities terminology. This includes order types (limit order, stop-loss, market order), market structure terms (bid-ask spread, liquidity, order book depth), valuation metrics (P/E ratio, market capitalization, enterprise value) and market conditions vocabulary (bull market, bear market, volatility, correction). Essential for traders, brokers and portfolio managers operating on global exchanges.

Corporate and Investment Banking

Banking English teaches the language of deal-making, corporate finance and client advisory. Terms include IPO (Initial Public Offering) process vocabulary, M&A (mergers and acquisitions) language, due diligence terminology, syndicated loan structures, credit facility agreements and treasury management expressions. Investment banking professionals use this vocabulary in pitch books, term sheets and deal memos that are almost exclusively written in English worldwide.

Financial Reporting and Accounting

Financial reporting English covers the terminology of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). You will learn to navigate balance sheet items (assets, liabilities, shareholders' equity), income statement components (revenue, COGS, gross profit, EBITDA, net income), cash flow statement categories (operating, investing, financing) and key ratios (ROI, ROE, current ratio, debt-to-equity). Indispensable for accountants, auditors and financial analysts who prepare or interpret financial statements in English.

Fintech and Payment Systems

Fintech English covers the evolving vocabulary of financial technology, including blockchain and distributed ledger terminology, digital asset language, API banking, open banking frameworks, regulatory technology (RegTech) and payment system acronyms like SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) and SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area). As fintech reshapes global finance, professionals need this vocabulary to collaborate across engineering and financial teams.

Essential Vocabulary

20 Essential Finance English Terms Every Professional Must Know

These are among the most frequently used finance English terms in international markets. Termify teaches each term with a definition, native pronunciation, IPA transcription and a real-world usage example.

Equity and Valuation Terms

Trading • Analysis • Portfolio Management

Equity and valuation terminology forms the foundation of investment analysis. These terms are used daily by analysts, portfolio managers and traders to evaluate securities and communicate investment decisions.

  • P/E Ratio (Price-to-Earnings Ratio) — measures a company's share price relative to its earnings per share; used to assess whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued
  • Market Capitalization — the total market value of a company's outstanding shares; calculated by multiplying share price by total shares outstanding
  • Dividend Yield — annual dividend payment expressed as a percentage of the stock price; a key metric for income-focused investors
  • Bull Market / Bear Market — a bull market indicates rising prices and investor optimism; a bear market indicates falling prices and pessimism
  • IPO (Initial Public Offering) — the process by which a private company first offers shares to the public on a stock exchange

Derivatives and Risk Management

Hedging • Options • Futures • Risk

Derivatives terminology is essential for risk management, hedging strategies and structured product development. These terms appear in CFA, FRM and trading floor communication.

  • Derivatives — financial instruments whose value is derived from an underlying asset such as stocks, bonds, commodities or currencies
  • Options — contracts granting the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) an asset at a specified price before a set date
  • Futures — standardized contracts obligating the buyer to purchase, or the seller to sell, an asset at a predetermined future date and price
  • Hedge Fund — a pooled investment fund that employs diverse strategies (long/short, leverage, derivatives) to generate returns for accredited investors
  • Liquidity Ratio — measures a company's ability to meet short-term obligations; includes current ratio and quick ratio

Corporate Finance and M&A

Investment Banking • Deal-Making • Advisory

Corporate finance and M&A vocabulary is used in pitch books, term sheets, regulatory filings and boardroom discussions. Investment bankers, corporate lawyers and CFOs use these terms in every transaction.

  • M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) — the consolidation of companies or assets through various financial transactions including mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and tender offers
  • Due Diligence — the comprehensive investigation and analysis of a business prior to signing a contract or making an investment decision
  • EBITDA — Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization; a widely used proxy for operating cash flow in valuation multiples
  • ROI / ROE — Return on Investment measures profit relative to investment cost; Return on Equity measures profit relative to shareholders' equity
  • Balance Sheet — a financial statement reporting a company's assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time

Reporting Standards and Payment Systems

IFRS • GAAP • SWIFT • SEPA

Reporting standards and payment systems vocabulary bridges accounting, compliance and financial operations. These terms are critical for professionals working across jurisdictions with different regulatory frameworks.

  • Income Statement — a financial statement showing revenue, expenses and profit over a period; also called profit and loss (P&L) statement
  • Cash Flow Statement — reports cash inflows and outflows across operating, investing and financing activities during a period
  • SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) — the global messaging network used by banks to securely transmit payment and trade instructions
  • SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) — the EU payment integration initiative enabling standardized euro-denominated credit transfers and direct debits
  • IFRS / GAAP — the two primary accounting standards frameworks; IFRS is used in 140+ countries while US GAAP governs financial reporting for US public companies
Reporting Standards

IFRS vs GAAP: Understanding Financial Reporting Terminology

Financial reporting standards define how companies record and report financial transactions. The two dominant frameworks — IFRS and US GAAP — use different terminology for similar concepts, making English mastery essential for cross-border finance work.

IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), is used by companies in over 140 countries including the European Union, Australia, Canada and most of Asia. US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), maintained by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), is required for publicly traded companies in the United States.

While both frameworks aim for transparent and comparable financial reporting, they differ in terminology and methodology. For example, IFRS uses the term "provision" for estimated liabilities, while GAAP uses "contingent liability." IFRS prohibits LIFO (Last In, First Out) inventory valuation, while GAAP permits it. IFRS allows revaluation of long-lived assets to fair value, while GAAP requires historical cost in most cases.

Termify teaches the English vocabulary for both IFRS and GAAP frameworks, including the terminology for revenue recognition (IFRS 15 / ASC 606), lease accounting (IFRS 16 / ASC 842), financial instruments (IFRS 9 / ASC 320/326), impairment testing and consolidation procedures. Understanding these terms in English is critical for professionals working with multinational corporations, Big Four accounting firms and international regulatory bodies.

Key areas where terminology differs between IFRS and GAAP include:

Revenue Recognition

Both IFRS 15 and ASC 606 follow a five-step model, but differences remain in application guidance. Terms like "performance obligation," "contract asset," "transaction price" and "variable consideration" are used in both frameworks. Termify teaches the precise English definitions and contextual usage for each term.

Lease Accounting

IFRS 16 and ASC 842 both require lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet, but classification differs. GAAP distinguishes between "operating leases" and "finance leases" on the income statement, while IFRS 16 treats virtually all leases as finance leases. Terms like "right-of-use asset," "lease liability" and "incremental borrowing rate" are covered in Termify.

Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 and ASC 320/326 use different classification and measurement approaches for financial assets. Terms like "amortized cost," "fair value through profit or loss" (FVPL), "fair value through other comprehensive income" (FVOCI) and "expected credit loss" are essential for analysts and auditors working across jurisdictions. Termify provides definitions and pronunciation for each.

Target Audience

Who Needs Finance English?

Finance English is a professional requirement for anyone working in international financial markets, banking, accounting or financial technology. These professionals rely on precise English terminology every working day.

Traders and Portfolio Managers

Equity traders, fixed income traders and portfolio managers must communicate market positions, risk exposures and investment theses in precise English. A misinterpreted order instruction or incorrectly used term can result in significant financial loss. Termify teaches the exact vocabulary of global trading floors.

Equities Fixed Income FX Commodities

Investment Bankers

Investment banking professionals work on cross-border M&A transactions, IPO underwriting and debt capital markets. Every pitch book, information memorandum and term sheet is written in English. Termify covers the deal-making vocabulary from initial mandate through closing.

M&A IPO DCM ECM

Financial Analysts and Accountants

Financial analysts, auditors and management accountants prepare and interpret financial statements using IFRS or GAAP standards. Whether building financial models, writing audit reports or presenting to audit committees, they need fluent command of English reporting terminology. Termify covers the complete vocabulary of financial analysis.

IFRS GAAP Audit Analysis

Fintech Professionals

Fintech developers, product managers and compliance officers work at the intersection of technology and finance. They need vocabulary spanning both domains: API banking, blockchain settlement, payment processing (SWIFT, SEPA), digital assets and regulatory compliance. Termify bridges the gap between financial and technical English.

Blockchain SWIFT SEPA RegTech

Risk Managers and Compliance Officers

Risk managers and compliance officers use specialized terminology for regulatory reporting, stress testing, capital adequacy calculations and anti-money laundering (AML) procedures. Terms like Value at Risk (VaR), Basel III capital requirements and Know Your Customer (KYC) are used in international regulatory communication. Termify covers the full risk and compliance vocabulary.

Basel III AML/KYC VaR Compliance

Corporate Treasurers

Corporate treasurers and cash managers oversee foreign exchange exposure, liquidity management and funding operations. They communicate with banks, counterparties and boards using precise financial English. Terms like cash pooling, notional pooling, hedging strategy and interest rate swap are part of their daily vocabulary, all covered by Termify.

Treasury FX Hedging Liquidity Cash Mgmt
Certification Preparation

Prepare for CFA, ACCA, FRM and Financial Certification Exams

Termify aligns its finance vocabulary with the terminology used in the world's most respected financial certifications. Master the English terms before you sit for the exam.

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

CFA Institute • Levels I, II & III

The CFA exam is conducted entirely in English and tests candidates on equity analysis, fixed income, derivatives, portfolio management, alternative investments, ethical standards and quantitative methods. Non-native speakers who struggle with the precise meaning of technical terms lose marks not because they lack financial knowledge, but because they misinterpret English terminology. Termify covers CFA curriculum vocabulary across all three levels.

  • Equity valuation terminology (DCF, comparable analysis, precedent transactions)
  • Fixed income vocabulary (yield curve, duration, convexity, credit spread)
  • Portfolio management language (Sharpe ratio, alpha, beta, tracking error)
  • Ethics and professional standards terminology
CFA Level I CFA Level II CFA Level III

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)

ACCA • Financial Reporting • Audit

ACCA exams test financial reporting, audit, tax and management accounting in English. Candidates must interpret IFRS standards, apply them to complex scenarios and write structured answers using precise accounting terminology. Termify teaches the vocabulary of ACCA's Financial Reporting (FR), Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) and Audit and Assurance (AA) papers.

  • IFRS reporting terminology (recognition, measurement, presentation, disclosure)
  • Consolidation accounting vocabulary (goodwill, NCI, associate, joint venture)
  • Audit terminology (materiality, audit evidence, going concern, internal controls)
  • Management accounting terms (variance analysis, ABC costing, transfer pricing)
ACCA FR ACCA SBR ACCA AA

FRM (Financial Risk Manager)

GARP • Risk Management • Basel

The FRM exam, administered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), tests risk measurement and management in English. Candidates encounter specialized terminology spanning market risk, credit risk, operational risk and regulatory capital frameworks. Termify prepares you for FRM Part I and Part II vocabulary.

  • Market risk terms (VaR, expected shortfall, stress testing, scenario analysis)
  • Credit risk vocabulary (PD, LGD, EAD, credit migration, default correlation)
  • Operational risk language (key risk indicators, loss data collection, RCSA)
  • Basel framework terminology (Pillar 1/2/3, capital adequacy, leverage ratio)
FRM Part I FRM Part II

SWIFT and SEPA Certification

Payment Systems • Messaging • Compliance

SWIFT certification and SEPA compliance training require understanding of payment messaging formats, settlement procedures and regulatory requirements in English. Operations staff, payment specialists and compliance officers at banks worldwide must demonstrate fluency in this vocabulary to process transactions correctly and meet regulatory obligations.

  • SWIFT message types (MT103, MT202, MX/ISO 20022 migration)
  • SEPA scheme terminology (SCT, SDD, SEPA Instant Credit Transfer)
  • Payment settlement vocabulary (clearing, netting, settlement finality)
  • Compliance terms (sanctions screening, correspondent banking, de-risking)
SWIFT Certified ISO 20022
Practical Application

Real-World Finance English Scenarios in Termify

Termify teaches finance English through realistic dialogue scenarios drawn from actual professional situations. You do not just memorize definitions — you learn how terms are used in context.

Banker-Client Advisory Meeting

A corporate banker presents a structured finance proposal to a CFO. The dialogue covers terms like revolving credit facility, covenant, drawdown, amortization schedule and interest rate swap. You learn how bankers explain complex products in clear, professional English and how clients ask clarifying questions about pricing and risk.

Equity Analyst Earnings Briefing

An equity analyst presents a quarterly earnings analysis to portfolio managers. The scenario uses terms like revenue beat, margin compression, guidance revision, comparable store sales and forward P/E multiple. You practice the structured communication style analysts use when presenting buy, hold or sell recommendations.

Trading Floor Communication

A trader communicates with the dealing desk and risk management. The dialogue includes terms like fill rate, slippage, position sizing, stop-loss trigger and margin call. Speed and precision are critical on the trading floor, and this scenario teaches you the abbreviated, high-stakes communication style used in live markets.

Audit Committee Presentation

An external auditor presents findings to a company's audit committee. The scenario covers terms like material misstatement, going concern opinion, internal control deficiency, management representation letter and key audit matter. You learn the formal and precise language auditors use when communicating with board-level audiences.

Why Termify

Why Choose Termify for Finance English?

Termify is the only free app that focuses exclusively on professional finance terminology with certification-aligned content, native pronunciation and structured learning.

100% Free, Forever

Every finance term, pronunciation recording, dialogue scenario and career quiz is completely free. No subscription, no trial period, no credit card required, no hidden fees. Termify believes professional English education should be accessible to every finance professional regardless of financial situation.

No Subscription No Hidden Fees

Certification-Aligned Vocabulary

Finance terms in Termify are aligned with CFA, ACCA, FRM and SWIFT/SEPA curriculum vocabulary. Instead of generic business English, you learn the exact technical terminology that appears in certification exams and is used by professionals in international financial markets.

CFA ACCA FRM

Native Pronunciation and IPA

Every finance term includes a native English pronunciation recording and IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription. This is critical for non-native speakers who need to pronounce terms like "amortization," "collateralized" or "fiduciary" correctly in client meetings, presentations and conference calls.

Native Audio IPA Transcription

Real-World Dialogue Scenarios

Finance English is not just vocabulary lists. Termify includes realistic dialogue scenarios from banker-client meetings, analyst briefings, trading floor communication and audit committee presentations. You learn how terms are used in professional context, not just their dictionary definitions.

Banking Dialogues Trading Scenarios

AI-Powered Adaptive Learning

Termify's spaced repetition algorithm and AI assistant personalize your learning path. Difficult terms appear more frequently, mastered terms are reviewed at optimal intervals, and the AI chat assistant answers your questions about finance terminology, grammar and usage in real time.

AI Assistant Spaced Repetition

Offline Access and 23 Languages

Study finance English offline after the initial download. The app interface supports 23 languages, so you can learn finance English terminology with translations and explanations in your native language. Ideal for professionals who commute or travel for work.

Offline Mode 23 Languages
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Finance English

What finance English terms does Termify cover?

Termify covers 700+ finance English terms spanning trading vocabulary (P/E ratio, market capitalization, dividend yield, bull and bear markets), corporate banking language (due diligence, M&A, IPO underwriting), financial reporting standards (IFRS, GAAP, balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement), derivatives (options, futures, swaps, hedge funds), fintech terminology (blockchain settlement, digital assets, API banking) and payment systems (SWIFT, SEPA). Every term includes a definition, native pronunciation, IPA transcription and real-world usage example.

Can Termify help me prepare for the CFA exam?

Yes. Termify's Finance English module is aligned with CFA Institute curriculum vocabulary. It covers key terminology from all three CFA exam levels including equity valuation, fixed income analysis, portfolio management, derivatives, alternative investments and ethical standards. Career quizzes simulate exam-style terminology questions. This complements your CFA study materials by ensuring you understand and can pronounce every technical term correctly.

Is Termify useful for ACCA and FRM exam preparation?

Yes. Termify covers financial reporting terminology used in ACCA exams (IFRS standards, consolidation accounting, audit vocabulary) and risk management terms used in the FRM exam (Value at Risk, credit risk, market risk, operational risk, Basel III framework). The app helps non-native English speakers master the precise technical language these exams require.

Who benefits most from finance English training?

Finance English training benefits equity traders, investment bankers, financial analysts, portfolio managers, accountants, auditors, fintech developers, compliance officers, risk managers and corporate treasurers. Non-native English speakers working in international financial markets gain the most value, as precise terminology is critical for client communication, regulatory compliance and professional credibility.

Does Termify cover IFRS and GAAP terminology?

Yes. Termify teaches the English terminology for both IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). This includes terms related to revenue recognition, lease accounting, financial instruments, fair value measurement, consolidation, impairment testing and disclosure requirements. The app highlights key differences in terminology between the two frameworks.

Is Termify really free for finance professionals?

Yes, Termify is 100% free for all users including finance professionals. All 700+ finance terms, native pronunciation recordings, IPA transcriptions, dialogue scenarios, career quizzes with PDF certificates and the AI learning assistant are completely free. There is no subscription, no trial period, no credit card required and no hidden fees. Free forever.

What is the difference between finance English and general business English?

General business English covers everyday workplace communication such as meetings, emails and presentations. Finance English is a specialized subset that focuses on technical terminology used in capital markets, banking, financial reporting, risk management and investment analysis. Terms like "amortization schedule," "collateralized debt obligation" and "mark-to-market valuation" are finance-specific and not covered in general business English courses. Termify focuses exclusively on this technical vocabulary.

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