CIIA PASSPORT & RECOGNITION
CIIA is the passport you need as employers recognise the advantage of hiring certified professionals with qualifications that will enable them to work in any international financial position.
CIIA holders worldwide are benefiting from an increasing number of services from the ACIIA members and recognition of the CIIA from regulatory authorities. Here you can find an overview of the benefits for CIIA holders available in various countries/regions and where you can find more information:
CIIA certification is officially recognized by financial market authorities as a required or as an adequate qualification for investment professionals in the following countries/regions: China, Hong-Kong, Italy, Korea, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Vietnam. In France, CIIA was agreed as an approved qualification by the Ministry of Education.
In certain countries/regions, CIIA holders’ benefit from exemption (partial or complete) from professional examination requirements due to the recognition of the quality content of the CIIA. This is the case in Argentina, Brazil, Greece, Poland, Russia and the UK.
CNV - Comisión Nacional de Valores
As of 2013, there is a new framework. The Regulator (CNV Comision Nacional de Valores) put in force a new Capital Markets Law (26.831 - "Ley de Mercado de Capitales") which requires registration at the CNV prior to becoming a financial analyst, wealth manager, financial advisor, or similar profession.
As of January 2017, the Comisión Nacional de Valores (CNV) takes an Examination of Suitability to market agents as a mandatory requirement to access the registration.
The CNV through the General Resolution 706 dated 09/14/2017 has granted recognition to the three training courses promoted by the Instituto Argentino de Ejecutivos de Finanzas (IAEF):
- Certified International Investment Analyst - CIIA
- Certified European Financial Analyst - CEFA
- Certified Financial Advisor - AFC
Due to the quality and the international standard of their contents added to their recognition by international financial market regulators, from the distinction received, those who pass our examinations will be exempted from the Examination of Suitability provided by the CNV and therefore will have fulfilled the requirement of suitability required by the market regulator to registered agents.
Oesterreichische Vereinigung für Finanzanalyse und Asset Management OVFA
There is no regulation by the regulatory body. The financial market recognises professional designations as an added value. The Austrian Standards for Financial Research set up by ÖVFA have been declared as market standard by the Austrian regulator FMA.
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Associação dos Analistas e Profissionais de Investimento do Mercado de Capitais APIMEC
The Brazilian Securities Commission requires that all sell-side analysts be certified by an accredited entity (APIMEC) and registered in that regulatory body as from October 1, 2010. The certification (CNPI – National Certified Investment Professional) is awarded to candidates who pass the Foundation 1 and the Local Content exams. Falls under Category “C”. The Securities Commission is considering several other improvements in the regulation, among which a possible inclusion of investment consultants and asset managers.
More information:www.apimec.com.br
There is a compulsory regulation set by the regulatory body.
In China, the CIIA examination is organized by SAC (Securities Association of China) under the China Security Regulatory Commission (CSRC) set of rules.
More information: www.sac.net.cnThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Securities Analysts Assocation, Chinese Taipei
In Taiwan it depends on the situation although it should fall under category “B” since the financial market recognizes professional designations as an added value. However, financial analysts who are engaged in securities investment analysis in mass media are required by the regulator to obtain the Certified Securities Analyst certificate. (This is compulsory regulation) for further information and details please Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
There are no mandatory requirements for investment professionals such as financial analysts or fund managers.
CIIA or CEFA are not officially recognised by the Finnish Financial Supervision, which is the regulator in Finland.
Société Française des Analystes Financiers SFAF
Since mid-October, 2017 the CIIA is listed in the Inventory of the Commission Nationale de la Certification Professionnelle, CNCP (link: http://inventaire.cncp.gouv.fr/fiches/3023/).
More information:www.cncp.gouv.fr
The financial market recognises professional designations (including CEFA and CIIA obtained through SFAF Training Center) as an added value. In 2009, the regulatory body set up a professional certification concerning financial analysts, asset managers, investment advisers, equity sales, compliance officers. SFAF was one of the first professional training centres to be officially recognised by the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) the regulatory body for delivering the AMF certification.
More information:www.sfaf.com
Deutsche Vereinigung für Finanzanalyse und Asset Management DVFA
Independent investment advisors are required to have a qualification from a university or from chambers of commerce. For others, there is no regulation by the regulatory body, but professional designations are recognized as an added value.
More information:www.dvfa.de
Hellenic Association of Certified Stockmarket Analysts HACSA
There is compulsory regulation by the regulatory body for the following specialisations: financial analyst, asset manager, investment advisor, user (gives orders for buying/selling shares etc. in the designated system) for both shares and derivatives. Financial analyst is exempted from the other 3 specialised exams (2,3,4), Asset Manager is exempted from exams 3,4 and investment advisor from exam 4, meaning that they can perform all these without the need for further exams. From 2007 Professional Designation is compulsory for the whole financial system (including banks) while from 2001-2006 it was compulsory only for brokerage companies. CIIA graduates are fully exempted from all these exams.
More information:www.hacsa.gr
Hong Kong Securities Institute HKSI
There is compulsory regulation by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for licensing various categories of practitioners in the securities and futures markets e.g. securities dealers, futures dealers, leveraged foreign exchange dealers, investment advisers (regarding securities and futures contracts), asset managers, corporate finance advisers, credit rating services providers, etc. As part of the licensing requirements for practitioners in the securities and futures markets, they need to meet the recognised industry qualification and pass the regulatory examination. The regulatory body recognises professional designations such as CFA, CIIA and CFP as meeting the industry qualifications. Moreover, the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI) Professional Diploma in Financial Markets (PDFM) has been approved by the regulatory body as the recognised industry qualifications and local regulatory framework papers. The PDFM also satisfies the Foundation and National Examinations of the CIIA.
More information:www.hksi.org
There is no regulation by the regulatory body but the financial market recognizes professional designations as an added value.
There is no regulation by the regulatory body and the financial market does not recognize any professional designation as necessary to practice in the financial profession.
Some regulations are in the offing in India for the wealth management profession by the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC).
The Italian regulator, CONSOB (“Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa”), grants automatically recognition to those qualifications recognized by some of the EU local authorities as result of the MiFID II new regulation framework. Being the CIIA recognized by the CNMV in Spain, is automatically recognized in Italy by CONSOB.
More information: www.aiaf.it or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Securities Analysts Association of Japan SAAJ
There is no regulation by the regulatory body but the financial market recognises professional designations as an added value. While it is unnecessary to obtain any license as financial analyst, the CMA (Chartered Member of SAAJ) designation administered by the Securities Analysts Association of Japan (SAAJ), which is authorised by the Cabinet Office of the Japanese Government as a Public Interest Incorporated Association, is highly recognised by the financial market as an added value. The CIIA designation - only CMA holders are qualified to sit for the CIIA exams - is also gaining recognition as an international professional qualification in the market.Most of securities firms, investment firms, banks, and insurance companies, and major research institutes, CPA firms, universities, nonfinancial sectors (particularly IR/finance divisions) etc. strongly recommend their employees to obtain the CMA qualification. CMA holders are also encouraged to gain the CIIA qualification. There are a lot of institutions which subsidise the registration fee, exam fees, and SAAJ's annual membership fee, and/or give a chance of pay-rise to their successful candidates.
More information:www.saa.or.jp
NEW!!"CMA Program in Japan -New exemption scheme now available to CIIA holders" (English summary|Japanese version)
Up to date there are no regulatory requirements to become a financial analyst, wealth manager or risk manager. Auditors for all companies are required to be registered Certified Public
Accountants of Kenya as well as Finance Managers of listed companies.
Regulatory bodies, e.g. The Capital Market Authority, Insurance Regulatory Authority require certain minimum qualifications for the financial analysts, however each one has his own requirements.
There is no regulation by the regulatory body but the financial market recognizes professional designations as an added value.
Minimum standard for analysts who would like to carry jobs for fund management, investment consulting and risk management is required in Korea. CIIA certificate holders are recognized as market professionals by the local regulator.
KAA is one of the authorized organizations for this purpose from FSC(Financial Services Commission).
KAA is the main body to enforce KCIA (Korea Certified Investment Analysts) examination for professional acknowledgment and education.
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Regulatory body requires (and issues) so-called brokerage licenses for brokers and individuals, providing investment advice to clients.
Regulatory body organizes exams and issues licenses. Professional designations of financial analyst may be approved as substitutes for the above-mentioned brokerage license case by case by regulatory body.
The financial market recognizes professional designations of financial analyst as an added value.
There is no regulation by the regulatory body but the financial market recognises professional designations as necessary for the investment professionals.
There is no regulation by the regulatory body but the financial market recognizes professional designations as an added value.
DSI registers investment professionals both on a regular and on a senior level, after they have passed an examination on ethical conduct as well as on knowledge and skills.
There is compulsory regulation by the regulatory body. For anyone to operate as a stockbroker in the Nigerian capital market, he/she must be an Associate or Fellow of CIS.
There is no regulation by the regulatory body in Peru and the financial market does not recognize any professional designation as necessary to practice in the financial profession.
There is compulsory regulation by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (FSA). A securities broker license, awarded by the Polish FSA, is required in order to act as a securities broker. Another license - investment advisor license – also awarded by the Polish FSA, entitles to render asset management services (i.a. portfolio management, investment and pension fund management) as well as investment advisory services.
The financial market recognizes other professional designations (e.g. CIIA, CFA) as an added value.
Due to continuous effort of Polish Associations of Brokers and Investment Advisors since 2016 CIIA Charter Holders are entitled to entrance fast track exams for local securities broker license and investment advisor license. Passing CIIA exams allows charter holders to get Polish licenses faster and give extra recognition among employees.
More information: www.zmid.org.pl and contact by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
APAF - Associação Portuguesa de Analistas Financeiros
There is obligatory regulation from the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM): CMVM Regulation No. 3/2010 - Conduct Duties and Professional Qualification of Financial Analysts and Investment Consultants. In this regard the CMVM requires one of the following certificate prior to becoming a financial analyst or a financial consulting: CIIA, CFA, CEFA or equivalent.
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There is a requirement of higher education (bachelor degree) but no specific certificate is required.
There is no regulation by the regulatory body but the financial market recognizes professional designations as an added value.
In Russia, the CIIA qualification is recognized by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation - the state regulatory body for the financial market.
The recognition is valid in relation to the categories of “qualified investor” and “investment advisor” established by the Securities Market Act.
CIIA provides holders with full or extensive exemption from compliance with national requirements for accredited investors and investment professionals.
Thus, the CIIA holder gets access to the implementation of the full list of trading operations as an investor, as well as wide opportunities for professional activity in the local financial market.
CNMV The National Securities Market Commission
As of June 2017, there is a new framework. The CNMV published its Technical Guide in accordance with the provisions of MiFID II, which will be mandatory in Spain from 3rd January 2018. This Technical Guide, given the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guidelines, establishes the criteria that the Spanish regulator considers it appropriate that entities demonstrate that their staff providing information or/and advise services on investment has the necessary knowledge and skills.
The CNMV through the publication of the “list of titles or certificates of specialised entities” has granted recognition to the seven training courses promoted by the Spanish Institute of Financial Analysts (IEAF):
- Financial Services Advisor
- Financial Advisor
- Expert in Financial Counseling
- Asset Manager
- Certified European Financial Analyst (CEFA)
- Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
- Master in International Finance (MFI)
With the inclusion of the CIIA certificate in the CMNV list, CIIA certificate holders are accredited to provide information and advisory services.
More information: http://cnmv.es/portal/home.aspx
Sveriges Finansanalytikers Förening SFF
The regulatory body does not specify / authorise specific qualifications but the financial market recognises professional designations as an added value.
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Swiss Financial Analysts Association
The regulatory body does not specify / authorise specific qualifications but the financial market recognises professional designations as an added value.
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There is no regulation by the regulatory body but the financial market recognises professional designations as an added value.
The Tunisian Security Commission (CMF) requires that listing sponsors for the alternative market must at least be one analyst certified by local and international entity (ACIIA).
The FCA in UK has the CIIA listed as appropriate qualification for the activities described in the table below.
| Qualification provider | Qualification | Activity Number(s) | Key |
| Association of Certified International Investment Analysts (ACIIA) | CIIA qualification (provided it is accompanied by appropriate qualifications in Regulation and Ethics, Investment Principles and Risk and Personal Taxation) | 2 Giving personal recommendations on securities which are not stakeholder pension schemes, personal pension schemes or broker funds. 3 Giving personal recommendations on derivatives. 12 Giving personal recommendations on and dealing in securities which are not stakeholder pension schemes, personal pension schemes or broker funds. 13 Giving personal recommendations on and dealing in derivatives. |
a |
| Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA) | 14 \& 10 Managing investments and/or undertaking the activity of a broker fund advise | 2 |
a. The qualification will fully meet the qualification requirement on and after, 31 December 2012 2. Two qualifications must be obtained: one being any qualification in the table denoted by a ‘2’ and the other being any qualification in the table denoted by a ‘3’. Together those qualifications will fully meet the qualification requirement).
Consult the FCA Handbook TC App 4.1 Appropriate Qualification tables HERE
There is a compulsory regulation by the State Securities Commission of Vietnam for licensing various types of practitioners in the securities and futures market such as securities brokers, dealers, financial analysts, fund managers, investment advisers, corporate finance advisers.
As a part of the licensing requirements for the practitioners in the securities market in Vietnam, they should have educational background relating to their jobs (for example for the financial analysts, fund managers, corporate finance advisers they should have bachelor degrees in banking and finance) as well as should pass the compulsory examinations for the practitioners. Presently, the Securities Research and Training Centre, under the SSC of Vietnam is assigned to provide the 7 compulsory training courses that the practitioners in Vietnam's securities market should take and pass the examination before they can take the national license examinations.
Currently, Vietnam is setting up the derivatives market in Vietnam and the regulatory framework for the market, which is expected to be put into operation by 2016. Therefore, soon in the short future SRTC will also provide the compulsory training courses for the practitioners in the derivatives market to meet the license requirements.
PRMIA - Professional Risk Managers’ International Association
The Professional Risk Manager (PRMTM) Designation is a globally recognized, graduate-level risk management credential administered by the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) headquartered in the US.
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If you have any questions on the PRM program and exemptions, please contact:
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