Fellow of CSI Designation

Transcription

1 Fellow of CSI Designation DESIGNATED LEADER SERIES Where leaders learn fi nancial services.

2 The Fellow of CSI Leading, Changing and Inspiring the Financial Services Industry Every industry has leaders. People who don t simply achieve the standard of excellence, but go beyond it to set a new standard that others strive for. In financial services, we call those people Fellows of CSI (FCSI ). Simply put, the FCSI is one of the most respected designations available. It is awarded to professionals who have not only achieved unrivalled knowledge and experience, but who also represent the highest ethical values. FCSIs are among the best of the best. They are some of the most trusted leaders in financial services. FELLOW OF CSI MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS 2 As an FCSI, you re a member of an elite group of fi nancial professionals recognized and respected by clients, colleagues and employers. Your annual membership gives you these exclusive benefi ts: Access to FCSI logos: You can use these logos on your business cards, letterhead or marketing material to let your clients know you re ahead of the curve in terms of providing fi nancial leadership. A personalized listing on the online directory: Increase your profi le to prospective clients and employers through this exclusive online directory. Guidance from the FCSI National Council: The council is comprised of leaders throughout the industry, so you know they share the same perspectives as you. Subscription to FCSI Forum: The newsletter highlights information and developments that are important to FCSIs. Marketing resources: Use our dynamic selection of marketing materials to profi le yourself to current or prospective clients. CSI promotions: These promotions advertise the value of your designation to clients and employers. Opportunities to increase your profile in the CSI community. VIP and first in line customer service.

3 Becoming a Leader Fellow of CSI Requirements Achieving the FCSI designation is a significant undertaking. As outlined below and on the following pages, you will need to satisfy: Designation Requirements Experience Requirements Education Requirements Endorsement Requirements Ethical Requirements Designation Requirements To achieve the FCSI, you need at least one of the following CSI designations. Each of these is designed to help you develop advanced skills and expertise to distinguish yourself as a leader in financial services. For more information on any designation, simply visit and click Designations. The Derivatives Market Specialist (DMS) Designation The DMS designation will distinguish you as the specialized expert your clients need so they can manage various types of risk, and tap the potential of the derivatives market. You ll build an in-depth understanding of how options and futures can be used to manage and take on risk and how you can use technical analysis to make trading decisions. The Canadian Investment Manager (CIM ) Designation Build the skills you need to serve a more sophisticated fi nancial client or institution, and the experience needed for licensing as a discretionary portfolio manager in Canada. In achieving the CIM, you will develop the ability to create and implement advanced investment policies and strategies. You will also learn to measure and evaluate portfolio performance. Financial Management Advisor (FMA) Designation FMA accreditation is your key to the highest levels of the fi nancial planning industry. You ll build your expertise and your ability to provide advanced services to high-net-worth clients. You ll gain the ability to offer advice on wealth management topics, including estate planning, tax planning and the effective use of managed products. 3

4 Becoming a Leader Fellow of CSI Requirements (continued from page 3) Education Requirements In addition to your designation, you must also complete the Canadian Securities Course, one of three CSI licensing courses and one additional CSI course of your choosing. In order to qualify as an additional course, the course must have a formal, proctored exam at an approved CSI exam centre. CSI online Continuing Education (CE) courses not having a formal proctored exam will not qualify as an additional course. This additional course must also be a course that the student has not already taken as part of another FCSI requirement. In order for the Canadian Insurance Course (CIC) to qualify as an additional course, the full CIC exam must be successfully completed. You ll also have to either complete the CSI Ethics Module and Case Study program (retail or institutional) or attend one of the two CSI Ethics seminars. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES COURSE (CSC) The CSC is the most demanded course in the financial services industry today. It is the foundation for most CSI designations, and is a prerequisite to deal in mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other securities. LICENSING COURSES You need to complete one of three CSI licensing courses*: Conduct and Practices Handbook (CPH) Course With this course, you ll gain a deeper understanding of the regulations that govern the investment industry. You ll also learn about the wide range of ethical dilemmas you will face as a financial professional and how to deal with them in an appropriate manner. Branch Managers Course (BMC) This course will help you develop the skills needed to manage an investment dealer s branch office. You ll learn different supervision, reporting, record keeping and complaint management techniques. You ll also learn how to identify suspicious activities involving money laundering and market manipulation. And you ll gain insights that will help you work with regulators, while managing your investment representatives and investment advisors. 4 As a FCSI applicant, you also need to complete one CSI course of your choosing, in addition to those mentioned above. Visit for full course details.

5 Ethics Requirements As industry leaders, FCSIs are educated in, and held to, the highest ethical values. Upon receiving your designation, you will be required to uphold the FCSI Code of Ethics, and set a standard of conduct in your field. You also need to complete either the CSI Ethics Course or one of the Ethics Seminars. You can learn more about these requirements and the FCSI Code of Ethics at Partners, Directors and Senior Officers (PDO) Course The PDO is the only course that meets the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), (formerly the Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA) and Market Regulation Services Inc. (RS) which are now one organization) compliance requirement to register as a partner, director or senior offi cer in a securities fi rm. Here, you ll gain a fundamental understanding of the policies and regulations of self-regulatory organizations. These relate to managing capital and compliance requirements, as well as implementing effective procedures, rules and practices. WHY LEADERS CHOOSE CSI Since 1970, CSI has helped financial services professionals gain distinction through education. Our courses and designations are internationally recognized and endorsed, our technology-based learning channels are among the most advanced in the world and we are focused on providing the most convenient, effi cient and effective learning experience available. Most important, our graduates are recognized as trusted experts who have developed their skills and established themselves as leaders in financial services. 5

6 Becoming a Leader Fellow of CSI Requirements (continued from page 5) Experience Requirements The FCSI is awarded to experts professionals who lead in their field or industry. For that reason, you need to have at least five years of financial services industry experience within the past eight years to qualify for the FCSI. Endorsement Requirements FCSIs use their knowledge, expertise and experience to have a positive impact in their profession and their industry. This designation is as much about integrity and drive as it is about qualifications and years of experience. That s why we require that all FCSI applicants submit endorsement letters from: A direct supervisor and A sponsor who is a practicing FCSI. Maintaining Your Designation To maintain your FCSI, you need to continue to build your knowledge base. After receiving your designation, you need to earn 42 continuing education (CE) hours, consisting of 30 product knowledge or professional development (PK/PD) hours and 12 compliance education hours during each Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), (formerly the Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA) and Market Regulation Services Inc. (RS) which are now one organization)** three-year CE cycle. To find applicable CE opportunities, please visit 6

7 The Most Effective and Efficient Learning Experience Available Convenience and Flexibility CSI serves professionals at all stages of their careers we ve built our learning channels to meet all needs and preferences. Many courses that are available online also allow you to order textbooks when you enrol if you prefer a paper-based education. You learn at your own pace and book your exams when you re ready (within your enrolment period). CSI makes learning easy we re focused on convenience and efficiency, because we know serving your clients comes first. HELP ALONG THE WAY We offer a wealth of academic assistance and resources to help you complete your studies. These range from discussion boards where you can post questions, to practice exams that help you prepare for tests. If you can t fi nd what you re looking for, we ll give you direct or telephone access to administrators and educators for help fi nding the information you need. You can learn about all the ways that we help you complete your studies and develop your skills by visiting our website at 7

8 Enrolling with us is fast and easy, as is applying for your FCSI. In fact, we offer multiple options for maximum convenience and it all starts at You can apply for your FCSI quickly and easily by visiting and clicking: Designations Fellow of CSI Download Application Form CSI 200 Wellington Street West, 15th floor Toronto, Ontario M5V 3C7 Phone: (toll-free) The CIM does not satisfy OSC requirements. * A student can use the New Entrants Course (NEC) to satisfy either the CSC requirement or the licensing course requirement. **The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), (formerly the Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA) and Market Regulation Services Inc. (RS) which are now one organization) CSI Global Education Inc. 06/08