Postgraduate Diploma in Mutual Fund Management via Online Distance Learning

Introduction to Financial Services

The Role of the Financial Services Industry, Services offered by Banks and other Non-bank Financial Institutions, Defining a Bank, Types of Banks, Non-bank Financial Institutions, Trends Affecting the Financial Service Sector, Characteristics of a Financial Service Provider, Financial Service Regulations, Reasons for Government Aims of Regulation, Professional Bodies, Codes of Practice, Financial Regulatory Authorities By Country.

Insurance, Investment Banking and Capital

Investment Banking, Types of Investment Services, Types of Insurance, The Insurance Policy, Annuity, Types of Capital, Risks associated with Capital, International Capital Standards, Capital Management, Insurable Interest, Utmost Good Faith, Warranty, Rules & Regulations, Marketing Manipulation, Securities Commission.

Laws & Regulations

Introduction to International laws and regulations, the process of authorization, investor protection, administration, fund management, investment restrictions.

Introduction to Mutual Fund Management

What are mutual funds, characteristics of mutual funds, history, introduction to regulation, types of mutual funds: open-end, unit investment trust, closed end, exchange traded, classification by investment (money market funds, bond/fixed income funds, stock/equity funds, hybrid funds), index funds, actively managed funds, fund expenses, organizational structure, the fund manager, types of securities, advantages and disadvantages of mutual funds.

Trends in the Mutual Funds Industry

History of mutual funds, early development, fund growth, regulation, size and segments, competition, fees and expenses, mutual fund performance, volatility of portfolio, environmental impact, share of assets, mutual fund flows, demand for funds.

The Mutual Fund Prospectus

Defining the mutual fund prospectus, the prospectus document, uses, information held within the mutual fund prospectus, long-term performance disclosure, managers of the mutual fund assets, financial statements, compensation, litigation, material properties, biographies, distribution, prospectus rules.

Money Market Funds

Introduction to money market funds. money market funds as an open ended mutual fund, definition, history, types of money funds (institutional money fund, retail money fund), aims and objectives, regulation, risks and benefits, returns.

Fixed Income (Bond) Funds

Definition, classification by asset, government/treasury funds, mortgage funds, corporate funds, municipal funds, bond indices, advantages and disadvantages, risks, returns, yield, diversification, management of the bond fund portfolio, credit analysis, credit considerations.

Equity (Stock) Funds

Defining Stock funds, fund types: index fund, value fund, growth fund, sector fund, income fund, balance fund, funds of funds, asset allocation funds, methods, fees, strategies, risks, returns, benefits and disadvantages, performance indicators, management of equity fund portfolio.

Mutual Funds – The Cost

Yearly fees, transaction costs (brokerage commissions, market, impact, spread cost), the expense ratio, management fees, administrative costs, advisory fees, front end loads, back end loads, no-load fund, tax cost, cash drag.

Mutual Fund Risk

Defining mutual fund risk, risk characteristics, price stability and returns, call risks, credit risk, income risk, interest rate risk, risks associated with the economy, market risk, principle risk, currency risk, inflation risk, management.

Valuation

Introduction to valuation, items that are valued, valuing the securities in the portfolio, financial assets/liabilities, reasons for valuation, net asset value, mutual fund prices, market fluctuations, price of shares, valuation models, regulation of valuation methods, fair value of traded securities, valuation date.

Performance Evaluation

Reasons for measuring performance, aims and objectives, the focus of measurement, principles of performance measurement, the investors perspective, the advisors perspective, performance measures, the expense ratio, the income ratio, portfolio turnover rate, indices and risk, the importance of benchmarking, appropriate benchmarking, collecting and reporting information, processes and strategies, decision making, statistical modeling, performance reference model, evaluating the fund manager.

Macroeconomics I

Introduction to macroeconomics, understanding macroeconomics, principles of economics, how the market works, gross domestic product, international trade, open economy, Labour market, income, expenditure and the circular flow, the consumer price index, cost of taxation, employment, cost of living, the Philips Curve, national income, supply and demand for goods and services, money and inflation, the quantity theory of money, interest rates, social costs of inflation, hyperinflation, exchange rates.

Macroeconomics II

Economic fluctuations, economic growth, economy in the long run, accumulation of Capital, population growth, policies to promote growth, the Solow Model, the business cycle, aggregate demand and supply, the IS-LM Model, the money market, how fiscal and monetary policies shift the LM Curve, floating and fixed exchange rates, the Mundell-Fleming Model, policy debates, investment, government policies.

Microeconomics

Introduction to microeconomics, trade, trade-offs and government policy, production and supply, elasticities, individual choice in supply and demand, production and cost analysis, competitive markets, oligopoly and monopolistic competition and strategic pricing, uncertainty.

Financial Accounting I

Introduction to financial accounting, users of financial information, key accounting models, terminology, need for financial statements, the balance sheet, balance sheet layouts, ratio and the balance sheet.

Financial Accounting II

Income statement and layout, ratios, revenues and trade receivables, owners equity, cash flow measurement and documentation, inventories and cost of sales, tangible and intangible assets, liabilities, financial statements and recording transactions, preparing financial statements, analyzing and interpreting financial statements, analysis tools, auditing.

Marketing Financial Services I

Marketing Concepts, researching the Marketplace, Ethics in Market Research. Segmenting & Marketing the Financial Services Marketplace. Consumer Segments, Business Segments.

Marketing Financial Services II

Customer Value, Customer Experience, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Loyalty Programmes, Customer Relationships, Customer Satisfaction, Relationship with Stakeholders, Relationships with Businesses, Internal Marketing, Relationship Lifecycle.

The Financial Service Industry Workplace

Careers in the Financial Services Industry, Job Titles, Long Term Careers, Internships & Work Placement, Employer & Employee Rights and Responsibilities, Code of Conduct, Performance Appraisal, Performance Management, Professional Development.

The Future of Financial Services

The demand for stock and bond funds, portfolio, mutual fund ratings and performance, indexing as an investment strategy, star rating, the role of costs, environmental factors, the future of the financial service sector.

Spreadsheets (Calc)

Introduction to spreadsheets, step by step instructions on using the features, functions and applications for spreadsheets, customizing the spreadsheet software, installing the spreadsheet software, security, platforms, operating system compatibility.

Case studies

Three mutual fund case studies.

Setting Up & Marketing Your Own Consultancy

The Business Plan, Legalities, Setting Up, the Marketing Strategy, Knowing Your Competitors, Promotional Tools.

Presentation Skills

Preparation and Research, Speech Content, Subject Matter and Objectives, Speech Delivery and Variety, Body Language, Eye Contact, etc., Presentation Aids e.g. Visuals, etc., Management of Locations and Audiences, Presentation Structure.

Mutual Fund Management Briefs

The projects are an important part of the course. Each course participant is given 5 project briefs. Participants are asked at the end of the course to produce 5 mutual fund management projects. This gives participants the opportunity to use the knowledge they have obtained during the course in a focused way.

METHODS OF TRAINING

Online Lecture Modules, Subject Expert Feedback Sessions after each Module, Practical Case Studies, End of Module Practical Activities etc.

SUBJECT EXPERTS

Full support is available from our Subject Experts by email at the end of each module and an ongoing basis during the course.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

Anyone working in the general business sector in a senior or support role which is likely to require Mutual Fund Management Skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

Successful candidates are awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Mutual Fund Management (PG. Dip. Mutual Fund Man.) at Pass, Credit or Distinction level.

On successful completion of this course you will receive a Postgraduate level qualification that is certified and awarded by the ICM (Institute of Commercial Management).

The Institute of Commercial Management was founded in 1979 and is one of the leading Professional Examination and Certification Bodies in the world today. Fitzwilliam Institute have developed and provided practical skills training courses in liaison with the Institute of Commercial Management qualifications and certifications framework for over 25 years. The Institute of Commercial Management certifications and continual professional development training awards are recognised throughout Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Asia in a total of 140 countries, by leading industries, bodies and professions.

next start date: 27th October 2017

Duration: You will have full access to online resources and subject expert support for two calendar years. However, you can complete the course in as little as 1 year, by dedicating 6-8 hours of study per week.

Course Fees: 1995.00 EUR

To secure your place on the course the full fee is required. All fees must be paid in full before the course begins. Please note, the full course fees are inclusive of all course materials and certification costs.

Enrolment intake is strictly limited on this course. Early application is advised. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Fitzwilliam Institute closes on Bank Holidays and for a number of days at Christmas and New Year. Fitzwilliam Institute reserves the right to postpone, cancel or alter courses without notice or to change any of the details in this brochure. Fees are not refundable unless the course is cancelled by Fitzwilliam Institute. Distance Learning courses are provided by Fitzwilliam Institute BGLS Ltd.