IFP - Institut de formation permanente

What IFP - Institut de formation permanente does

IFP - Institut de formation permanente is a Swiss distance learning institute founded in 2004 and headquartered in Gland, Canton of Vaud, specializing in professional certification programs for accounting, human resources, and insurance. It operates as a brand and subsidiary of ACADIS SA, a diversified Swiss education group that acquired IFP in 2020; ACADIS SA is the legal entity with Fabrice Saillet serving as Director of Publication. IFP delivers 100% remote training across 11 recognized programs, ranging from entry-level Aide-comptable and Gestionnaire RH certificates through to Swiss federal diplomas (Brevet fédéral) in finance/accounting and HR, plus the AFA insurance intermediary certificate required under FINMA regulations.

The underlying technology stack combines a cloud-based learning management system (Acadis) with a proprietary educational platform called ComptaLearn, developed in partnership with expert-comptables for progressive accounting skill-building. Each student receives 24/7 access to a personal online learning space containing courses, exercises, corrections, and live interactive workshops via video conferencing, along with inclusion of Cresus accounting software (valued at approximately CHF 2,000) in accounting programs. Course content is co-developed with practitioners active in their fields and is continuously updated to align with Swiss legal and regulatory requirements, with formal curriculum alignment partnerships in place with HRSE, HR Vaud, Swiss Accounting (Swisco), and AFA.

IFP generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for its multi-year certification programs, offered under three flexible pacing tiers (Accéléré, Standard, Confort) for working professionals. Programs qualify for 50% Confederation subsidies on federal diplomas plus additional IFP exam-fee refunds up to CHF 1,000, and employer financing is common particularly in the insurance sector. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: prospective students discover IFP through organic search, blog content, LinkedIn, and YouTube, submit information requests or download brochures, and are contacted within 24 hours by a pedagogical advisor. Since 2004 IFP has trained over 15,000 students, reports a 95% satisfaction rate, and posts federal diploma pass rates of 71% (Finance & Accounting) and 76% (HR, 2025). The Acadis group, including IFP, was among the first Swiss training organizations to obtain eduQua 2021 quality certification.

Name

IFP - Institut de formation permanente

Legal name

ACADIS SA

Website

https://ifp-formation.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IFP is a Swiss distance learning institute offering 11 professional certification programs in accounting, human resources, and insurance to French-speaking Swiss adults, preparing them for federal diplomas and industry credentials such as HRSE, AFA, and Brevet fédéral.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Education and Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification) (EDAAALAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)

Keywords

• Professional distance learning
• Accounting certification programs
• HR training courses
• Insurance broker education
• Federal diploma preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Gland

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Distance Learning Tuition Fees: IFP generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for its professional certification and diploma programs in accounting, human resources, and insurance. Programs are offered at various pace levels (Accéléré, Standard, Confort) with pricing communicated via brochures upon information request. Federal-level programs (federal diplomas) are partially subsidized by the Swiss Confederation (50% refund) with additional IFP refunds up to CHF 1,000 for exam fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IFP - Institut de formation permanente provides 100% distance learning professional certification and diploma programs in accounting, human resources, and insurance for French-speaking Switzerland. Programs are delivered through the Acadis LMS and supported by a dedicated personal tutor for each learner, culminating in federally recognized Swiss qualifications under eduQua quality certification. The institute packages its proprietary ComptaLearn platform and the integrated Cresus accounting software as part of the learner experience, alongside three study pacing options (Acceleration, Optimum, Serenité).

Product overview

IFP - Institut de formation permanente is a Swiss distance learning institute offering 11 professional training programs across three domains: accounting (comptabilité), human resources (ressources humaines), and insurance (assurance). The accounting track includes 7 programs from entry-level Aide-comptable through to the federal Brevet fédéral de Spécialiste en finance et comptabilité. The HR track offers 3 programs from HRSE certificate through to Brevet fédéral de Spécialiste en ressources humaines. The insurance track provides the AFA intermediary certificate. All training is delivered 100% remotely with personalized tutoring, practice exams, and includes tools like Crésus software and the ComptaLearn platform. The institute is certified eduQua 2021 and part of the Acadis group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Federal Diploma Program in Accounting (Comptabilité) Distance learning program preparing learners for the Swiss federal diploma in accounting, delivered via Acadis LMS with personal tutor support and integrated Cresus accounting software.
• Federal Diploma Program in Human Resources (RH) Distance learning program preparing learners for the Swiss federal diploma in human resources, with personal tutor support and structured remote study pacing options.
• Federal Diploma Program in Insurance (Assurances) Distance learning program preparing learners for the Swiss federal diploma in insurance brokerage/intermediation, tailored to insurance professionals and career changers entering the sector.
• ComptaLearn Platform IFP's proprietary e-learning and exam-preparation environment providing structured practice content for learners enrolled in accounting diploma programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% student satisfaction rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HRSE (Human Resources Swiss Exams)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP is a partner of Human Resources Swiss Exams (HRSE), the official certification body for HR professionals in Switzerland. HRSE-delivered certificates (Certificat HRSE) are aligned with IFP's Human Resources training programs, ensuring curriculum alignment with official examination requirements.
• HR VaudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP maintains a partnership with HR Vaud, the Vaud cantonal HR association. This partnership ensures IFP's HR programs meet regional professional standards and examination requirements specific to the Canton of Vaud.
• Swiss Accounting (Swisco)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP partners with Swiss Accounting (Swisco), aligning its accounting programs with Swiss accounting standards and professional certifications. The partnership ensures IFP's curriculum incorporates the Swiss reference accounting plan.
• AFA (Association des compagnies d'assurance suisses pour la formation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFP prepares students for the AFA (Association of Swiss Insurance Companies for Training) certificate examination. The AFA certificate is the recognized Swiss credential for insurance intermediaries, required by the majority of Swiss insurance companies and brokerage firms, compliant with FINMA regulations.
• Acadis GroupcoreOthersIFP is a member of the Acadis Group, which operates multiple Swiss training organizations (Acadis, IFP, design-formations.ch, nicephore.ch, ecrire.net). The group obtained eduQua 2021 certification and provides shared technology infrastructure including the Acadis learning platform.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ifpformationsuisse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ifp---institut-de-formation-permanente

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFP - Institut de formation permanente