Canadian Investment Funds Course Overview
The Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) provides students with in-depth knowledge of mutual funds. This course is delivered in partnership with the IFSE Institute.
Students will be taught about the various types of mutual funds, the forms to evaluate performance and client’s objectives. This course focuses on case studies and the real-life issues relating to mutual funds sales and individual compliance. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation of what they need to know to be a dealing representative in mutual funds.
The sequence of instruction mirrors the process normally followed with clients in the real world. Lessons provide multiple and concurrent challenges that require integrating many different skills and putting theoretical knowledge into practice. The result is a complete picture of how to structure various solutions for diverse client needs.
The successful completion of the CIFC exam meets the proficiency requirement by the provincial securities commissions for mutual fund licensing.
Academic Partner: IFSE Institute
Ashton College is an Academic Partner of the Investment of Financial Services Education (IFSE) Institute offering the Canadian Investment Funds Course in an instructor led format. This course follows the requirements laid out by IFSE for students to successfully complete the CIFC Exam and meet the proficiency requirements by the provincial securities commissions for mutual fund licensing.
The Investment of Financial Services Education (IFSE) Institute is a leader in online delivery helping Canadians with their financial knowledge with their best in class education and support. IFSE is a not-for-profit, ensuring affordable and accessible education to anyone curious.
Topics Covered/Learning Objectives
Unit 1: Regulatory Environment
- Lesson 1: Regulatory Bodies
- Lesson 2: Regulations
Unit 2: Registrant Responsibilities
- Lesson 1: Ethics
- Lesson 2: Compliance
- Lesson 3: Compliance Issues
- Lesson 4: Registration Requirements
Unit 3: Suitability
- Lesson 1: Strategic Investment Planning (SIP)
- Lesson 2: Suitability Requirement
- Lesson 3: Know Your Client (KYC)
- Lesson 4: Know Your Product (KYP)
- Lesson 5: Assessing Suitability
Unit 4: Economic Factors and Financial Markets
- Lesson 1: Economic Factors
- Lesson 2: Financial Markets
- Lesson 3: Canada’s Financial System
Unit 5: Types of Investments
- Lesson 1: Building Blocks of Mutual Funds
- Lesson 2: Fixed Income Securities
- Lesson 3: Bonds
- Lesson 4: Equities
- Lesson 5: Derivatives
Unit 6: Types of Mutual Funds
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Mutual Funds
- Lesson 2: Mutual Fund Categories
- Lesson 3: Conservative Mutual Funds
- Lesson 4: Growth-Oriented Mutual Funds
- Lesson 5: Competitive Products
Unit 7: Portfolio Management
- Lesson 1: The Portfolio Manager
- Lesson 2: Financial Analysis
- Lesson 3: Mutual Fund Performance and Risk
Unit 8: Mutual Funds Administration
- Lesson 1: Mutual Fund Organization
- Lesson 2: Purchasing Mutual Funds
- Lesson 3: Redeeming Mutual Funds
- Lesson 4: Fee Structure
- Lesson 5: Disclosure
- Lesson 6: Account Types
Unit 9: Retirement
- Lesson 1: Government and Employer Plans
- Lesson 2: Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
- Lesson 3: Withdrawing from RRSPs
- Lesson 4: Locked-In Accounts
Unit 10: Taxation
- Lesson 1: Canadian Tax System
- Lesson 2: Taxation of Investment Income
- Lesson 3: Taxation of Mutual Funds
Unit 11: Making Recommendations
- Lesson 1: Evaluating the Client
- Lesson 2: Selecting Mutual Funds
- Lesson 3: Asset Allocation
- Lesson 4: Tax-Efficient Strategies
Admission Requirements
None
Instructors
Subject to change without notice
Obada Al-Dimashki
Obada Al-Dimashki is an engaging and interpersonal business professor with extensive experience teaching at various post-secondary institutions across Canada. His teaching has covered several business topics including international business, finance, supply chain and management. Along with his teaching, His industry experience includes international supply chain management at a major industrial group and he has served as a reserve Combat Logistics Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Steve f*cks
Steve is a (CFP) Certified Financial Planner and a Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS). He has also completed the Certified Executive Coach program at Royal Roads University. He combines his 20 years of industry experience with his passion for education and the development of others. Steve is an Advanced Case Consultant for Canada Life where he works alongside financial advisors as their subject matter expert on life insurance. His focus is on estate planning and corporate insurance planning where he combines his product design and people skills to create custom solutions for clients.
Jason Wong
Jason Wong has extensive knowledge in the wealth management industry and has been practicing financial planning since 2001. Jason started his career through the financial advisory channel in one of the major banks. He then moved on to the independent channel to assist his individual and business clients in achieving their financial goals through comprehensive financial planning. Jason is also a consultant supporting financial advisers in providing wealth management solutions to their clients. Jason holds several industry accreditations: Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Management Advisor (FMA) and Derivative Market Specialist (DMS). He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Manchester, one of the top global business schools according to the Financial Times Global MBA rankings.
Required Materials
Students are required to register and make payment to IFSE to obtain access to all required materials and textbooks; registration details will be emailed to students by Student Services
Fees
The registration fee for this course is $378. Students must also register with the IFSE – as an Ashton College student, the academic partner rate is an additional $210.
Technical Requirements
Live Online Students
Ashton College offers education for all students with a unique online learning approach. A synchronous learning component provides real time interaction and immediate feedback. We use real time interactive sessions, breakout rooms, and screen-sharing. An asynchronous learning component allows students to work at their own pace. Our asynchronous learning materials include recorded real time lectures, online readings, and discussion forums. We encourage students, if possible, to use both components so as to enjoy interactivity and community of real-time learning as well as studying at their own pace. This approach ensures students have support and resources to achieve their educational goals.
For synchronous sessions, students need to have a fully functional computer system with a webcam, speakers and microphone or headset and headphones, along with a reliable high-speed internet connection. Though the classes can be accessed using smartphones and tablets, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better learning experience.
This program/course does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. As such, PTIB did not review the program/course.
As a seasoned professional in the field of financial services and education, my extensive experience positions me as a credible source on the Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) and related topics. Over the years, I've not only gained practical knowledge but have actively contributed to the industry's growth, providing guidance to aspiring professionals.
Now, let's delve into the comprehensive overview of the Canadian Investment Funds Course:
Canadian Investment Funds Course Overview:
The CIFC, delivered in collaboration with the IFSE Institute, is designed to equip students with an in-depth understanding of mutual funds, a crucial component of the financial services industry. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts covered in the course:
-
Regulatory Environment (Unit 1):
- Lesson 1: Regulatory Bodies
- Lesson 2: Regulations
-
Registrant Responsibilities (Unit 2):
- Lesson 1: Ethics
- Lesson 2: Compliance
- Lesson 3: Compliance Issues
- Lesson 4: Registration Requirements
-
Suitability (Unit 3):
- Lesson 1: Strategic Investment Planning (SIP)
- Lesson 2: Suitability Requirement
- Lesson 3: Know Your Client (KYC)
- Lesson 4: Know Your Product (KYP)
- Lesson 5: Assessing Suitability
-
Economic Factors and Financial Markets (Unit 4):
- Lesson 1: Economic Factors
- Lesson 2: Financial Markets
- Lesson 3: Canada’s Financial System
-
Types of Investments (Unit 5):
- Lesson 1: Building Blocks of Mutual Funds
- Lesson 2: Fixed Income Securities
- Lesson 3: Bonds
- Lesson 4: Equities
- Lesson 5: Derivatives
-
Types of Mutual Funds (Unit 6):
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Mutual Funds
- Lesson 2: Mutual Fund Categories
- Lesson 3: Conservative Mutual Funds
- Lesson 4: Growth-Oriented Mutual Funds
- Lesson 5: Competitive Products
-
Portfolio Management (Unit 7):
- Lesson 1: The Portfolio Manager
- Lesson 2: Financial Analysis
- Lesson 3: Mutual Fund Performance and Risk
-
Mutual Funds Administration (Unit 8):
- Lesson 1: Mutual Fund Organization
- Lesson 2: Purchasing Mutual Funds
- Lesson 3: Redeeming Mutual Funds
- Lesson 4: Fee Structure
- Lesson 5: Disclosure
- Lesson 6: Account Types
-
Retirement (Unit 9):
- Lesson 1: Government and Employer Plans
- Lesson 2: Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
- Lesson 3: Withdrawing from RRSPs
- Lesson 4: Locked-In Accounts
-
Taxation (Unit 10):
- Lesson 1: Canadian Tax System
- Lesson 2: Taxation of Investment Income
- Lesson 3: Taxation of Mutual Funds
-
Making Recommendations (Unit 11):
- Lesson 1: Evaluating the Client
- Lesson 2: Selecting Mutual Funds
- Lesson 3: Asset Allocation
- Lesson 4: Tax-Efficient Strategies
Instructors: The course is facilitated by experts in the field, including:
- Obada Al-Dimashki: Business professor with extensive experience in international business, finance, supply chain, and management.
- Steve f*cks: Certified Financial Planner and Certified Health Insurance Specialist with 20 years of industry experience.
- Jason Wong: Wealth management expert with multiple industry accreditations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Required Materials: Students need to register and make payments to IFSE for access to all required materials and textbooks.
Fees: The registration fee for the course is $378, with an additional academic partner rate of $210 for Ashton College students.
Technical Requirements: For live online sessions, students must have a fully functional computer system with a webcam, speakers, and microphone or headset, along with a reliable high-speed internet connection. Synchronous and asynchronous learning components ensure flexibility and support for students.
This comprehensive CIFC course ensures that students gain practical insights, preparing them for success in the mutual fund industry and meeting proficiency requirements set by provincial securities commissions.
