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0419 PQ WHICH FS Qualification V2 PDF
0419 PQ WHICH FS Qualification V2 PDF
FINANCIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The financial services industry can appear to have a maze of qualifications.
Here is a summary of the industry into key job roles, and an explanation of the
regulatory framework to help you select the qualification that’s right for you.
Introductory qualifications are designed as entry level examinations, and often satisfy regulatory
requirements to demonstrate competence in particular roles. These will usually be Level 3 or Level 4
qualifications on the Ofqual qualifications framework. EXAMS AS A WAY OF
• CISI Capital Markets in UK Financial Regulation, Securities, Derivatives, Financial Derivatives and
Commodity Derivatives.
GAINING AN INTERVIEW
• CISI Certificate in Corporate Finance
OR PROGRESSING
• CISI Investment Operations Certificate (IOC)
In this job market, there are many
• CISI Investment Advice Diploma (IAD) graduates with good degrees and
• Investment Management Certificate (IMC) impressive CVs. What will give you an
edge, is if you have shown the initiative
Professional Level qualifications are designed to demonstrate higher levels of competence and can be to put yourself through a professional
useful for career progression. Exams are written papers set on specific dates. qualification. Not only will you have
gained useful knowledge, but it also
• CFA® Program
shows a high level of commitment
• CISI Diploma to that particular career path. Most
• ICAEW Diploma in Corporate Finance exams are open entry, and our courses
• CISI Masters in Wealth Management and study materials assume no prior
knowledge so it is a very worthwhile
investment.
EXAMS AS PART OF THE REGULATORY PROCESS These qualifications can also help
you progress further in your career.
The regulator (currently the FCA) requires that for certain roles, often involving contact with For example, you may be working in
clients or managing investments, individuals have to demonstrate a minimum level of competence. the back office (administration and
Examinations are a good way of testing that competence. There are many different exams, but in this control functions) and want to move
factsheet we will outline the common routes to demonstrating this competence. Most employers will into the front office (dealing with client
see it as their duty to put staff through these exams, but it will also give you an advantage if you have interaction). Professional qualifications
already passed the exams when you apply for these roles. will help you demonstrate the necessary
knowledge to make that jump.
The two main industry bodies overseeing the examinations in the UK are the Chartered Institute of
Securities and Investments (CISI) and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society of the UK. The Even if you are already qualified, i.e. as
CFA Institute also managed this internationally recognised CFA® Program. In all cases, the syllabus an Accountant, these exams can help
and examinations are set the by the Institutes. BPP provides courses and learning materials to you tailor your CV towards the financial
support your preparation towards these qualifications. services industry.
Investment Banking
Corporate Finance Trading Sales
Research Analyst
Investment Management
Fund Management Institutional Asset Management Hedge Funds
Private Banking
Wealth Management / Private Banking Stockbroking
HOW TO BOOK
To book or to find out more visit bpp.com/pq
Call +44 (0) 20 8746 4178 or email financialservices@bpp.com
BPP PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
INVESTMENT BANKING
Corporate Finance Research Analyst Trading Sales
These roles involve advising The role involves undertaking a Trading can involve either The investment bank will be
corporate clients on takeovers, detailed analysis of companies, trading on behalf of institutional trying to sell its research report
mergers and financing. Many sectors or economies and would clients in return for commission and broking/trading services.
qualified accountants move suit you if you like dealing with (broking), or trading the bank’s Sales people will be required to
into these roles, but there detail, and enjoy working with own funds for profit (prop build relationships with clients.
is also a bespoke Corporate spreadsheets. The CFA program trading). Qualifications are less Qualifications will help build
Finance qualification run jointly is highly respected and in important for success in these credibility in these roles. IMC, CFA
by the Institute of Chartered some cases a prerequisite for roles, what matters is the ability to Level 1 and CISI Capital Markets
Accountants in England & Wales analyst roles. As an introductory work hard and read the markets. would all be beneficial, but good
(ICAEW) and CISI. There is an qualification, the Investment However, CISI Level 3 Capital people skills are of paramount
introductory Level 3 Certificate in Management Certificate (IMC) Markets will help as an early importance.
Corporate Finance which will help will also be useful. entry level qualification as they
get a foot on the ladder. Once in cover regulations, securities and
a corporate finance role, success derivatives in particular.
will be driven largely by deal
history rather than examination
success.
Amy Fairhurst,
BPP ACCA Student
HOW TO BOOK
To book or to find out more visit bpp.com/pq
Call +44 (0) 20 8746 4178 or email financialservices@bpp.com