Most newbies wish to find out how financial certifications help them with their professional aspirations and which exam makes most sense to go for.
Considering the fact that the candidates are from different backgrounds, the answer cannot be generalized. There are some who are already, in some way are related to the finance industry, some coming with IT backgrounds, some already possess a solid knowledge of financial products and involved instruments and a good general understanding of the industry, then there are those who before going for graduation in quant degree, would like to build up a more solid foundation with an official exam.
Some of the most sought after certifications are:
> Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) offered by CFA Institute (formerly known as AIMR):
Three levels -
* The Level I : introduction to asset valuation, financial reporting and analysis, and portfolio management techniques.
* The Level II :asset valuation, and includes applications of the tools and inputs (including economics, financial reporting and analysis, and quantitative methods) in asset valuation.
* The Level III : portfolio management, and includes strategies for applying the tools, inputs, and asset valuation models in managing equity, fixed income, and derivative investments for individuals and institutions.
> Financial Risk Manager (FRM) offered by GARP - Global Association of Risk Professionals
Two Parts -
Part I:
* Financial Markets and Products
* Foundations of Risk Management
* Quantitative Analysis
* Valuation and Risk Models
Part II:
* Market Risk Measurement and Management
* Credit Risk Measurement and Management
* Operational and Integrated Risk Management
* Risk Management and Investment Management
* Current Issues in Financial Markets
> Professional Risk Managers (PRM) offered by PRMIA - Professional Risk Managers' International Association
Four Exams -
* EXAM I: Finance Theory, Financial Instruments and Markets
* EXAM II: Mathematical Foundations of Risk Measurement
* EXAM III: Risk Management Practices
* EXAM IV: Case Studies, PRMIA Standards of Best Practice, Conduct and Ethics, Bylaws
Then there are others like :
> The Financial Services Authority (FSA), a universal British finance regulator; you can take these two exams either together or separately, and there's also certificates in Investment Management and Corporate Finance if you're going down that route. (www.sii.org.uk)
MCTS Certification, MCITP Certification
PRMIA Certification , PRMIA Exam and over 2000+
Exams with Life Time Access Membership at http://www.actualkey.com
> Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) - focuses the fundamental concepts and techniques for modeling and managing risk
> Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA) - centres around knowledge in the identification, measurements and management of risk within risk-bearing enterprises
> Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) - deals with financial decisions concerning retirement benefits, life insurance, annuities, health insurance, investments, finance, and enterprise risk management are made, including the application of advanced concepts and techniques for modeling and managing risk. (http://www.soa.org/education)
The thing they all have in common is that these certifications:
> help you to better equip yourself with the essential knowledge to pursue a career in finance
> empower you by adding credentials to your resume
> expand your professional opportunities
> provides you with the ability to network with some of the world's leading finance professionals
Instruction received.
The course hours may include content on project quality, project scope, project schedule, project budget, project communications, project risk, project procurement, and project integration management. You can satisfy the educational requirements by demonstrating the successful completion of courses, workshops and training sessions offered by one or more of the following types of education providers: