Setting the Standard for M&A Excellence in Asia
The Asia Corporate Finance Institute was founded with a singular vision: to elevate the standard of M&A advisory across the Asia-Pacific region through rigorous certification, research, and community building.
Our Mission
To be the trusted certification body for M&A advisory professionals in Asia-Pacific, ensuring clients can identify and engage qualified advisors with confidence. We achieve this through rigorous assessment, ongoing professional development, and thought leadership.
Our Vision
A world where every M&A transaction in Asia is guided by certified professionals who adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards. We envision ACFI as the definitive mark of excellence in Asian corporate finance.
What Makes Us Different
Pan-Asia Focus
Purpose-built for Asia's unique M&A landscape — not a Western framework adapted for Asia.
Rigorous Standards
Our multi-tier certification ensures meaningful differentiation, not one-size-fits-all credentials.
Practitioner-Led
Our standards are set by experienced M&A practitioners, not academics or regulators alone.
Industry Network
Access to a curated network of the region's top advisory firms for referrals and deal flow.
Research-Driven
Proprietary deal data and research that gives certified firms a competitive intelligence edge.
Forward-Looking
Continuously evolving our standards and programs to reflect the changing M&A landscape.
Built for Asia's M&A Community
The Asia Corporate Finance Institute was established in 2018 by a group of senior M&A practitioners who recognized a critical gap in the Asian advisory market: unlike mature markets in North America and Europe, Asia lacked a dedicated certification body for M&A professionals.
Starting with a founding cohort of 12 firms across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, ACFI developed its certification framework through extensive consultation with practitioners, regulators, and academic institutions across the region.
Today, ACFI certifies over 180 firms across 12 markets in Asia-Pacific. Our research publications are read by thousands of professionals, and our annual Asia M&A Forum has become the region's premier industry gathering.
We continue to expand our coverage, deepen our research capabilities, and evolve our certification standards to serve the growing and increasingly sophisticated M&A advisory market in Asia.
Our Team
David Chen
Chairman
25+ years in Asian M&A advisory. Former Managing Director at a leading global investment bank.
Yuki Tanaka
CEO
Former senior partner at a Big 4 advisory practice. Led 100+ cross-border transactions across Asia.
Priya Sharma
Chief Certification Officer
Architect of ACFI's three-tier certification framework. Background in professional standards and regulation.
James Wong
Head of Research
Previously chief economist at an Asian development institution. PhD in Economics from LSE.
Sarah Kim
Director of Events
15 years in professional conference management. Built ACFI's event program from inception.
Michael Lim
General Counsel
Specialist in cross-border M&A regulation. Former partner at a leading APAC law firm.
Our Partners
ACFI partners with leading institutions across the Asia-Pacific region to advance professional standards in M&A advisory.
Get in Touch
Have a question about ACFI, our certification programs, or partnership opportunities? We'd love to hear from you.