Fellow
Fellowship (FCICM)
CICM's highest professional grade. For leaders who set credit strategy across their organisation and can show the difference it makes.
Or £24.58 a month by Direct Debit. You pay a £67 application fee when you apply, and the membership fee once you are approved. See the criteria
How Lucy raises standards in the people she coaches
"One thing I do differently because I’m a Fellow is take greater responsibility for raising professional standards around me. For example, when coaching someone in Account Management or Collections, I don't only explain our internal process. I help them understand the wider credit and collections principles behind it, including our CICMQ status. I also encourage them to consider risk, customer impact and good industry practice, and support them in developing their own professional knowledge."
Lucy Stagg FCICM, Regional Manager, AtradiusIs this the right grade for me?
Yes, if you...
- Develop, deliver and implement wide-reaching, long-term credit strategy
- Can show its impact through business metrics and financial measures
- Advise your organisation on credit and risk, lead credit projects, or oversee credit and collections performance
Consider another grade if you...
- Manage a team or a credit function day to day: Member (MCICM)
- Are in an operational or developing role: Associate (ACICM)
What's included
FCICM post-nominals
The highest professional recognition CICM awards, for the leaders of the profession.
A vote at the AGM
Have your say in how the Institute is run.
Knowledge Hub
CICM's learning platform, for your own development and your team's.
Technical support service
Free advice on any technical credit question, plus member rewards and every other member resource.
How FCICM compares
Every member benefit CICM offers. What sets Fellowship apart is the evidence behind it: proof that your strategy shapes how your organisation manages credit.
Check the criteria before you apply
The FCICM criteria set out the evidence Fellows show. If you run a credit function rather than set its strategy, Member (MCICM) may be the better fit.
What the assessors look for
For leaders who develop and deliver credit strategy and can show its impact on the business. Assessors check your evidence against the CICM Professional Standards, so use these points as a guide when you write your personal statement.
- Strategic leadership or senior influence over credit, risk or financial management activities
- Accountability for credit policy, governance or organisational risk frameworks
- Leading or influencing significant change, transformation or improvement in credit practices
- Acting as a subject matter expert within their organisation, sector or client base
- Mentoring, developing or sponsoring professionals within credit or related disciplines
- Contributing to the wider profession through thought leadership, speaking, writing or advocacy
- Active engagement with CICM activities, governance, panels, education or initiatives
- Representing the credit profession externally with credibility and authority
- Demonstrating sustained professional integrity, judgement and ethical leadership
What to send
- One sponsor statement, sent to your sponsor early
- A personal statement
- An up-to-date CV
- Optional: up to 3 extra pieces of evidence, such as customer feedback, credit policies, or qualifications and certificates covering the criteria
£67 application fee when you apply. Once approved, £295 a year or £24.58 a month by Direct Debit.
Apply for FCICMWhat happens next
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Send your application
Fill in the form, upload your evidence and pay the £67 application fee. You can save it and finish later.
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We review it
The membership team checks your evidence against the FCICM criteria by hand, and gets in touch if they need anything else.
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Pay your membership fee
Once approved, pay £295 a year by card, £24.58 a month by Direct Debit, or ask us to invoice your employer.
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Use your post-nominals
Add FCICM to your email signature, CV and LinkedIn.
Get your employer to pay
Many employers cover professional membership. Share the FCICM business case with your manager, and we can invoice your employer directly.
Paying yourself? Claim tax relief
CICM is on HMRC's list of approved professional bodies, so you can usually claim tax relief on fees you pay yourself.
How to claim on GOV.UKThe top of the ladder
Fellowship is the highest professional grade CICM awards.
- EssentialsYour first step into membership
- StudyingLooking to solidify your experience with a qualification
- AffiliateWhen you start working in credit or want to be involved in the industry
- ACICMJunior roles, by application
- MCICMManagerial roles, by application
- FCICMSenior leadership, by application
Questions
What does it cost?
You pay a £67 application fee when you apply, whether you are new to CICM or upgrading. Once your application is approved, membership is £295 a year, or £24.58 a month by Direct Debit.
What evidence do Fellows show?
Evidence of developing, delivering and implementing wide-reaching, long-term credit strategy, and its impact through business metrics and financial measures. For example: advising the organisation on credit and risk, leading credit projects, developing a quality scorecard, or monitoring overall credit and collections performance.
Who can be my sponsor?
Someone who knows your work and can vouch for your experience, such as your line manager, a client, a peer or a previous manager. Send them the sponsor declaration form early, so their statement is ready when you apply.
What should my personal statement cover?
How your experience meets the FCICM criteria, with examples from your own work. Use the points in How to apply above as a guide.
How long does the review take?
Every professional application is checked by hand against the grade criteria, so it can take a little time. We will be in touch if we need anything else from you.
I'm already a member. How do I upgrade?
Use the same application. Choose that you are a current member at the start of the form, and you only pay the £67 application fee until you are approved.
Can my employer pay?
Yes. Share the FCICM business case with your manager, and we can invoice your employer directly. Add your company address to your account so we can send the invoice.
Become a Fellow
Have your sponsor statement, personal statement and CV ready before you start, and you can apply in one go.
Fellowship is the profession recognising you as one of the people who shape it. It reflects your influence.
Ayman Trabelsi ACICM Membership Advisor, CICM