CFA Singapore – IBF Accredited Programmes

The Minimum Entry Requirements for CFA Levels 1, 2 and 3 are as follows:

Minimum Age: 21

Academic Level:
a) Bachelor’s (or equivalent) Degree, or be in the final year of your Bachelor’s Degree programme. You will have to complete your Bachelor’s Degree in order to register for the Level II exam,
or
b) Have 4 years of professional work experience (does not have to be investment related),
or
c) A combination of professional work experience and education that totals at least 4 years.

Language Proficiency: Obtain Grade C6 at GCE-O Level English language or equivalent

About the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore

The Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF) was established in 1974 as a not-for-profit industry association to foster and develop the professional competencies of the financial sector. IBF represents the interests of close to 200 member financial institutions, covering banks, insurance companies, securities brokerages and asset management firms. In partnership with the financial industry and training providers, IBF is dedicated to empowering practitioners with the capabilities to support the growth of the asian financial industry, and to promote the asian standard of excellence for practitioners in finance. Working hand-in-hand with the individual practitioner and industry, IBF aims to elevate individual competency whilst raising industry standards.

About the IBF Standards

The IBF Standards represents a set of competency standards developed by the industry for itself. It provides a practice-oriented development roadmap for financial sector practitioners to attain the necessary training to excel in their respective job roles. Covering 12 industry segments spanning more than 50 specialisations, the IBF Standards offers a comprehensive suite of accredited training and assessment programmes, to guide a financial sector practitioner from licensing examinations on through to professional certification across 3-levels; IBF Qualified (for new entrants), IBF Advanced (for senior practitioners and specialists), and IBF Fellows (for industry veterans).

Benefits of attending an IBF Accredited Training Programme

• Job Relevant Skills

IBF accredited programmes are designed to equip finance practitioners with competencies needed for their jobs. Such programmes are aligned with the IBF Standards, which are developed in close consultation with the industry.

• Mark of Quality

IBF accredited programmes have a training and assessment component, and are subject to an independent and rigorous review by the IBF to ensure that the training institution and programmes meet industry standards.

• Industry Recognition

Individuals who successfully complete an IBF accredited programme and meet the relevant criteria may apply for IBF Certification.

About IBF Certification for Level 1 Programmes

A practitioner who successfully completes an IBF Level 1 Programme will be conferred the IBF Qualified (IBFQ) certification status^#.

About IBF Certification for Level 2 and/or 3 Programmes

A practitioner who successfully completes an IBF Level 2 and/ or 3 Programme with at least 3 years of relevant experience will be conferred the IBF Advanced (IBFA) certification status^#.

Find out more about IBF certification and its benefits here.

^#Terms and conditions apply.

Referenced to Level I of the CFA® Program exam

Programme Synopsis

This programme equips participants with broad-base capabilities and foundational competencies to undertake new roles. This involves developing in-depth industry and functional knowledge of investment products, in order to provide qualitative and quantitative reporting to investors, thus assisting them to make investment choices.

Key Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate knowledge of the various investment products
• Understand key microeconomic topics
• Conduct research on current condition and future prospects of a given sector of the economy
• Understand general principles of the financial services industry
• Evaluate financial health of companies through financial reports (i.e. income cash flow etc.)

Who Should Attend

• Entry-level hires and professionals with up to 3 years’ experience in fund management
• Professionals with non-financial background seeking entry into the financial services industry

Modules

Referenced to Level II of the CFA® Program exam

Programme Synopsis

This programme helps participants acquire applied knowledge and complex analytical skills, which are internationally-accepted valuation methodology and techniques for specialists or leadership functions. This helps to provide investors with the most accurate value estimations, projections and investment recommendation for the chosen investment product.

Key Learning Objectives

• Conduct economic, industry, and sectoral research
• Perform pro forma analysis to determine value of investment
• products
• Valuate investment price based on historical and pro forma data
• Provide research-driven investment recommendations
• Acquire and apply financial services industry product and knowledge
• Comply with financial services industry legislations, regulations, and industry codes of practices

Who Should Attend

• Professionals such as Investment Advisors with at least 3 years of fund management experience
• Participants who have completed CFA Singapore Fund Management Programme (IBF Level 1) or show proof of competency at Level 1 seeking entry into the financial services industry

Modules

Referenced to Level III of the CFA® Program exam

Programme Synopsis

This programme helps participants demonstrate professional mastery and exemplifies through leaderships and commitment to industry. This involves making decisions about investment mix and policy that are aligned with defined investment objectives, risk appetite, and asset allocation guidelines of the chosen portfolio based on specific client requirements, whilst complying with regulations and industry codes of conduct.

Key Learning Objectives

• Formulate portfolio strategy
• Allocate asset based on portfolio strategy
• Manage portfolio to achieve objectives
• Identify, report and mitigate portfolio risks
• Identify specific portfolio performance factors
• Apply attribution analysis methods such as Multi-Factor, Style, and Return Decomposition Analysis

Who Should Attend

• Professionals such as Investment Advisors with at least 3 years of fund management experience
• Participants who have completed CFA Singapore Fund Management Programme (IBF Level 1) or show proof of competency at Level 1

Modules

Minimum Admission Requirement

Applicants must be either Singapore Citizens or PR and required to have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.

Documents required:

• University transcripts & certificate
• A scanned copy of NRIC

IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS)

This programme has been accredited under the IBF Standards, and is eligible for funding under the IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS), subject to all eligibility criteria being met. Candidates are advised to assess the suitability of the programme and its relevance to their business activities or job roles. IBF-STS provides 70% funding for direct training costs subjected to a cap of S$7,000 per candidate per programme subject to all eligibility criteria being met.

With effect from 1 July 2016, Singapore Citizens aged 40 years old and above are eligible for 90% co-funding of direct training costs, subject to a cap of S$7,000 per participant per programme. For more information on funding, IBF Certification and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, please visit www.ibf.org.sg.

Who Are Eligible?

Self-sponsored Individuals
Non Company-sponsored participants are required to be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents physically based in Singapore.

Company-sponsored Individuals
Company-Sponsored participants are required to be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, physically based in Singapore and staff* of Singapore-based financial sector entities being sponsored for the programmes. Financial sector entities would refer to financial institutions & entities regulated by MAS (either licensed or exempted from licensing). Entities that are signicantly involved in supporting financial sector activities will be assessed for eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

To qualify for IBF-STS funding, trainees must successfully complete the training programme (including passing all relevant assessments and examinations). Staff who attend a programme in the capacity of an instructor or facilitator, e.g. presenter/speaker/panelist are not eligible for IBF-STS funding.

* Qualifying expenses incurred on the training of both executive and non-executive staff, as well as staff employed on a short-term basis of less than one year (inclusive of contract staff and interns) will be eligible for funding under IBF-STS and FTS, subject to meeting the conditions under these schemes. License agents or representatives (i.e. financial advisors, traders, insurance agents, remisiers) representing a legal principal entity may be included in the claims of the principal entity.

View course fees here.

Local Students

• Download EduTrust Advisory Note | Local Student Contract | Student Handbook

Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) / Medical Insurance Coverage

Kaplan Financial has put in place requirements which include Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) and Medical Insurance Coverage under the EduTrust Certification Scheme regulated by the Committee of Private Education.

For more information, please visit www.cpe.gov.sg

FPS (Paid for by Kaplan Learning Institute)

FPS is applicable to ALL students (regardless of nationality and the type of passes, i.e. dependent’s pass, student’s pass, work permit etc).

It is mandatory for all students to apply for FPS and sign a student contract when they graduate-level for courses with any Private Education Institution (PEI) with EduTrust Certification.

International Students – insurance premium minimum of S$8 (excluding 7% GST) capped at total course fee of S$1,455. The FPS premium is based on a fixed rate of the course fees and payable upon enrolment per intake.