Investment Foundations® Certificate
Gain tangible knowledge of the investment industry with the CFA Institute Investment Foundations® Certificate. Being able to solve and communicate solutions for complex investment issues starts with understanding the essentials.
This certificate gives you a comprehensive overview of the investment industry’s structure, concepts, and ethical considerations, helping to advance your career in finance. Covering the fundamentals of the same topic areas as Level I of the CFA® Program, you'll gain an essential understanding of the investment industry’s structure, financial markets, professional roles, and client needs.
Advance your subject matter expertise
Thinking “What do I learn with the Investment Foundations Certificate?” The certificate gives you an invaluable overview of the essentials of finance including types of markets and how they operate, the characteristics of primary investment instruments, and investment industry ethics. By the final assessment, you’ll have a clear understanding of the global investment industry including terminology and key concepts.
Why choose the Investment Foundations Certificate?
Enhanced knowledge
Understand the different facets of the investment industry, including its structure, ethical considerations, and commonly used vocabulary.
Further learning
Ready yourself for the CFA® Program and achieve one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession.
Competitive edge
Open more doors in your career by understanding investment industry fundamentals and concepts, tools, and techniques.
Specialized vocabulary
Confidently communicate and collaborate with practicing investment managers.
Building confidence
Strengthen your confidence and improve collaboration with your colleagues.
Enhanced professional profile
Share your achievement on professional networks with a shareable certificate on completion.
Who should enroll
- Students or professionals seeking to understand the fundamentals of the investment industry.
- Professionals already working in support roles within the investment industry and want to develop their knowledge.
Curriculum
The Investment Foundations Certificate begins with an introduction to the investment industry's structure, including the types of institutions, functions of participants, and services it consists of. Learn about the benefits of the investment industry and the forces that affect its evolution, including technological innovations, the importance of ethics/ethical conduct, and an overview of the purpose and types of regulators and regulations that govern the industry.
Delve into primary and secondary markets and discover how they operate. This course will also introduce you to decentralized finance, the concept of investment vehicles, how they are structured, and how those structures serve investors.
Become familiar with the types and characteristics of primary investment instruments, including equity securities (stocks), debt securities (bonds), alternative investments, and derivatives.
Develop your understanding of how investment professionals identify and then analyze relevant information, and how that impacts their investment and financing decisions.
Discover how investment firms serve clients' investment needs and examine risk considerations and management. You will also learn how portfolio performance evaluation helps investment professionals and their clients better understand sources of risks and returns.
Learn about the benefits, key concepts, and approaches to ESG investing, and how it links to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). You’ll also see how ethical dilemmas that arise in practice can be addressed through an ethical decision-making framework.
Complete the Investment Foundations Certificate with an online assessment, made up of 100 multiple choice questions. You’ll have two attempts to complete the assessment.
Learn via engaging content and activities
Work towards the Investment Foundations Certificate in a way that fits your learning style and schedule.
Self-paced online learning
Register and start studying straight away. You'll have access to the course content and activities plus the final assessment for 12 months from registration.
Modular structure
Maintain your progress as you work through each course by setting study goals along the way.
Testimonials from certificate holders
I recommend [Investment Foundations] to anyone interested in finance, markets, and macroeconomics.
The [certificate] provides that crucial common language for all the personnel outside investment roles to effectively communicate, support, and raise the overall standards, all grounded in the ethical principles for participants across the profession.
This is an excellent entry-level program, and it's great for university students who are interested in an investment career.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to advance in your career, this course provides essential knowledge and skills that will set you apart in the finance industry.
Investment Foundations® Certificate
- Certificate
- Foundational level
- 40-70 hours to complete
- Self-paced online learning
Frequently asked questions
You’ll have access to the learning materials for 12 months from the date of purchase. Learning materials and assessments can be accessed anywhere, online, providing maximum flexibility and convenience to candidates.
The Investment Foundations Certificate covers fundamental topics similar to Level I of the CFA Program, giving a solid grasp of the investment industry. It's an excellent starting point for those interested in pursuing the CFA Program.
Yes, high school students are eligible for the certificate. It's a great way for them to gain early exposure to the finance industry and build a solid foundation for their future careers.
The Investment Foundations Certificate significantly enhances your CV by showcasing your foundational knowledge in finance and investment. It opens various entry-level job prospects in the finance field, demonstrating your commitment and understanding to potential employers.
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