Program Overview
The Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) provides students with in-depth knowledge of mutual funds. This course is delivered in partnership with the IFSE Institute.
Students will be taught about the various types of mutual funds, the forms to evaluate performance and client’s objectives. This course focuses on case studies and the real-life issues relating to mutual funds sales and individual compliance. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation of what they need to know to be representative dealing in mutual funds.
The sequence of instruction mirrors the process normally followed with clients in the real world. Lessons provide multiple and concurrent challenges that require integrating many different skills and putting theoretical knowledge into practice. The result is a complete picture of how to structure various solutions for diverse client needs.
The successful completion of the CIFC exam meets the proficiency requirement by the provincial securities commissions for mutual fund licencing.
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a minimum of a high school diploma and must be 19 years or older at the time of starting the course.
Dates
Vancouver
Part-Time:
- May 6, 2020 – July 15, 2020
- Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm PST
- Exam: July 22, 2020 (from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm PST)
- Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm PST
Fees
Vancouver
The registration fee for this course is $378*.
* Does not include the cost of all required materials and textbooks in the registration fee.
Students are required to register and make payment to IFSE to obtain access to all required materials and textbooks. Registration details will be emailed to students by Student Services.
Topics
Unit 1: Regulatory Environment
- Lesson 1: Regulatory Bodies;
- Lesson 2: Regulations.
Unit 2: Registrant Responsibilities
- Lesson 1: Ethics;
- Lesson 2: Compliance;
- Lesson 3: Compliance Issues;
- Lesson 4: Registration Requirements.
Unit 3: Suitability
- Lesson 1: Strategic Investment Planning (SIP);
- Lesson 2: Suitability Requirement;
- Lesson 3: Know Your Client (KYC);
- Lesson 4: Know Your Product (KYP);
- Lesson 5: Assessing Suitability.
Unit 4: Economic Factors and Financial Markets
- Lesson 1: Economic Factors;
- Lesson 2: Financial Markets;
- Lesson 3: Canada’s Financial System.
Unit 5: Types of Investments
- Lesson 1: Building Blocks of Mutual Funds;
- Lesson 2: Fixed Income Securities;
- Lesson 3: Bonds;
- Lesson 4: Equities;
- Lesson 5: Derivatives.
Unit 6: Types of Mutual Funds
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Mutual Funds;
- Lesson 2: Mutual Fund Categories;
- Lesson 3: Conservative Mutual Funds;
- Lesson 4: Growth-Oriented Mutual Funds;
- Lesson 5: Competitive Products.
Unit 7: Portfolio Management
- Lesson 1: The Portfolio Manager;
- Lesson 2: Financial Analysis;
- Lesson 3: Mutual Fund Performance and Risk.
Unit 8: Mutual Funds Administration
- Lesson 1: Mutual Fund Organization;
- Lesson 2: Purchasing Mutual Funds;
- Lesson 3: Redeeming Mutual Funds;
- Lesson 4: Fee Structure;
- Lesson 5: Disclosure;
- Lesson 6: Account Types.
Unit 9: Retirement
- Lesson 1: Government and Employer Plans;
- Lesson 2: Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs);
- Lesson 3: Withdrawing from RRSPs;
- Lesson 4: Locked-In Accounts.
Unit 10: Taxation
- Lesson 1: Canadian Tax System;
- Lesson 2: Taxation of Investment Income;
- Lesson 3: Taxation of Mutual Funds.
Unit 11: Making Recommendations
- Lesson 1: Evaluating the Client;
- Lesson 2: Selecting Mutual Funds;
- Lesson 3: Asset Allocation;
- Lesson 4: Tax-Efficient Strategies.
