Q1: What is the CIIA Qualification?
The CIIA® is an internationally recognised advanced professional qualification for individuals working in the finance and investment industry.
The CIIA is achieved by passing the examinations set by a team of international and local experts under the auspices of the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts ACIIA®.
Q2: What is ACIIA?
The ACIIA is an international association made up of independent Federations and national/regional societies, the professional industry associations which represent finance and investment analysts.
The ACIIA was established in 2000 as a not-for-profit organisation limited by guarantee, and is registered in Switzerland.
Q3: What organisations are involved in the ACIIA?
Q4: What is the role of the ACIIA?
- Establish and supervise the exams for the CIIA;
- Award the CIIA;
- Encourage and provide a forum for the creation and interchange of ideas and information in the field of finance and investment;
- Support and promote the interests of the global investment industry; and
- Promote ethical behaviour in the industry.
Q5: How does the CIIA compare to other postgraduate qualifications in the industry?
The CIIA is a unique international qualification which is facilitated and recognised by the countries represented by participating national/regional societies.
The CIIA:
- Combines international and local coverage
- Is internationally transportable and provides candidates with the option of studying and sitting exams in 11 different languages (Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish)
- The integral involvement of the national/regional societies ensures that the interests and input of the local industry and professionals are met in accordance with and commitment to industry ethics and standards
Q6: What makes the CIIA unique?
- Candidates may choose which national/regional market to study
- All common-knowledge exams are conducted in 11 different languages
- Candidates can apply for admission to the CIIA exams through any participating national/regional society
- Exams can be taken in any country where an ACIIA member exists (additional exam centres are organised in London and New York)
- The achievement of the CIIA will grant its holders a recognised level of expertise and knowledge which is common across international markets
Q7: How is the CIIA diploma achieved?
The CIIA is awarded to successful candidates who:
- pass two levels of common knowledge exams designed to test candidates at a high standard of knowledge and skill in a comprehensive range of globally relevant topics
- pass a National/Regional Exam, set by participating national/regional societies which examines the local financial markets and environment of specific countries/regions
- have three years experience working in the domain of financial analysis, portfolio management and/or investment in general
- are a member of a participating national/regional society
Q8: A lot of stress is placed on this qualification having a truly international basis. Why should that be an advantage for a local employer?
The essential skills and knowledge required for professionals working in investment markets are common in all countries. But local content remains important in relation to legal, regulatory and taxation environments and local market practices. Also, differing cultures require different approaches to professional ethics.
As an employer, you are assured that holders of the CIIA qualification have both the global and local knowledge to fulfil their roles, whatever country they originate from.
You could hire someone from overseas with a CIIA qualification and be assured they are fully competent in knowledge and skills of your country's financial market, providing that they have passed the national/regional exam of your country.
Alternatively, your employee could complete the national exam of a country you either do business with or where you have branches of your operations, thus increasing their versatility and mobility within your organisation.
Q9: If we were to open branches overseas, could we staff them with local holders of the CIIA and know they were appropriately qualified?
Absolutely. You would have the advantage of knowing you were choosing from the best local analysts, not just those capable of sitting examinations in a foreign language.
Q10: Who is responsible for setting and marking the exams?
The international content for the international Common Knowledge exams is set by a committee of professors and practitioners from around the world, formally referred to as the International Examination Committee (IEC).
The national/regional specific examination is set by the local national/regional society in each country and has to be approved by the IEC. This examination covers regulation, ethics, financial statements and market structure.
Q11: If the ACIIA was formed in 2000, what assurances do we have that the examinations are of a high and competitive standard?
The International Examination Committee (IEC) is responsible for ensuring that the examinations are of high quality and a high standard.
Over the past five years the IEC has been working in conjunction with the Centre for International Examinations in Switzerland on the development of the CIIA exams. The IEC members represent the highest level of excellence in their knowledge of international investment, and also include professors with expertise in establishing and managing high level academic and industry based examinations.
Q12: In processing these international and multilingual exams, how does the ACIIA ensure security and accuracy of the treatment of the exam papers?
The Centre for International Examinations has drawn upon the established expertise of the Swiss Training Centre for Investment Professionals, which has considerable experience in conducting examinations in several languages. At present their highly respected examinations are conducted in English, French, German and Italian.
Q13: What is the role of the national/regional society in the CIIA?
National/regional societies have the responsibility for admitting candidates for the CIIA exams. They also organise the training, arrange the examination venues, set and mark the national/regional specific paper and, not least, remain responsible for policing ethics.
To hold the qualification, graduates of the examinations must hold membership of an ACIIA national/regional society, to ensure compliance with the highest standards of professional conduct.
Q14: How will the national/regional societies assist in preparing candidates for exams?
Q15: How much does it cost to sit the CIIA exams?
Each national/regional society administers its own payment requirements. Please contact a participating national/regional society for further details.
