Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app
By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5
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Your Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) account is the learner dashboard where you take courses, exercises and certification programs. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is optional, and CFI documents one method: a six-digit code from an authenticator app on your phone, asked for each time you log in (CFI). There are no text-message codes in CFI's help, and no backup codes either, which matters if you ever lose your phone.
The setting lives in an unexpected spot: on the Password tab of your account settings, not on a separate security page. This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.
How we checked this guide: the CFI steps come from CFI's own help center, including the screenshots in its articles, which we read on October 21, 2026. We haven't tested them on a CFI account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
Before you start
You can't turn on 2FA while you register. CFI says it becomes available once you can reach your dashboard (CFI).
CFI also lets you sign in with LinkedIn, Google, Facebook or Microsoft (CFI). Its help doesn't say whether CFI's own code is also asked for when you use one of those buttons.
Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
CFI's help article, last updated June 21, 2024, gives these steps (CFI):
- Log in to your CFI learner dashboard at learn.corporatefinanceinstitute.com.
- At the top right, open the My Account dropdown and click Profile.
- Click the Settings button at the top right. You're now on Account Settings.
- Select the Password tab, then click Manage Two-Factor Authentication.
- CFI shows a screen called Register Two-Factor Authenticator with a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it. If the QR code is on the same iPhone, take a screenshot, then tap + and Choose a photo. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
- Type the six-digit code from Novaz in the Enter pin-code field and click Save Changes.
A message confirms the setup, and the Password tab now shows Status: Enabled.
CFI's screenshot of the setup screen shows only the QR code, with no text key you could type instead. If you can't scan it, take a screenshot and use Choose a photo in Novaz. If your screen does show a key, you can enter it with + > Enter key manually as the Setup key. See What is a 2FA setup key?
The same article has a separate section on saving the CFI code in 1Password. You don't need that if you use Novaz.
Logging in afterwards
After your email and password, CFI shows a Two-Factor Authentication Code field. Open Novaz, find the CFI entry, type the current code and click Verify code (CFI). CFI's help mentions no option to remember a device, so expect the prompt at every login.
No backup codes
CFI's help doesn't mention backup or recovery codes, and it lists no second method you could fall back on. Novaz keys stay on the iPhone unless you turn on iCloud backup or export a backup file. Without one, the only documented way back in after a lost phone is CFI Support. Keep access to the email address on your CFI account, because that's how you'll reach them. For general advice, see 2FA backup codes.
If CFI rejects your code
CFI's help has no advice on rejected codes. The usual cause is the iPhone's clock: open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Novaz also warns you when the clock is 15 seconds or more off. More causes are in Authenticator code not working?
Changing phones
CFI doesn't describe a phone switch. One approach that fits its documented steps: while the old phone still works, turn 2FA off (below), then turn it on again and scan the new QR code with the new phone. If you use iCloud backup or a backup file in Novaz, you can skip this and restore your accounts on the new iPhone. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.
If you lose your authenticator
Email support@corporatefinanceinstitute.com and ask CFI to turn off 2FA for a while. CFI says you'll have to answer security questions to show the account is yours (CFI, CFI). It doesn't say what those questions are or how long it takes. CFI offers no phone support, but its contact page says you can also ask through the Help chat inside the dashboard once you're logged in (CFI).
Once you're back in, set up 2FA again with your new phone. More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
Turning 2FA off
Go to the Password tab the same way and click Manage Two-Factor Authentication. Enter the current code from Novaz in the pin-code field and click Save Changes. CFI then stops asking for a code at login (CFI). After that, you can remove the CFI entry from Novaz: open it and tap Remove account.
