Program Overview
Investment Management Consultants Association^SM developed a certificate program specifically for financial services professionals and internal sales desk staff who wish to enhance their fundamental knowledge of core topics related to the investment consulting process.

The IMCA Essentials of Investment Consulting certificate program learning platform incorporates a comprehensive set of educational content and self-evaluation tools into an online, self-study environment.  There are 12 learning modules organized within an online learning center, and each module offers:

• Required reading assignments available as online PDF articles, followed by a reading “checkpoint” designed to give learners a quick way to assess that they captured the essential concepts within each module.
• An expert review of the key learning objectives within some modules, presented by industry leaders as a streaming or downloadable audio file with PowerPoint slides.
• An application assignment (to be used as a self-assessment tool).
• Ask-the-expert, real time assistance for students.

Participants must successfully pass three quizzes during the 12-module learning path to receive a certificate of completion.  Each module is estimated to take 2-3 hours to complete, which may vary depending on the participant’s level of expertise. All participants will have 11 months from the date of registration to access the program, but it can be completed successfully in six months. 

Program Objectives
The program educates financial services professionals and internal sales desk staff on fundamental knowledge of the core topics related to the investment consulting process: mathematics of managing money and building portfolios; understanding the various types of investments; how to select managers, measure performance, and monitor results; and how to set and implement investment strategies using investment policy statements as a guide.

• Module 1: Algebra and Statistics: Calculate mathematical problems using common notation, simple algebra, and basic statistics
• Module 2: Time Value of Money and Rates of Return: Perform time value of money calculations and learn to calculate different rates of return
• Module 3: Fixed Income-Duration and Yield: Perform various bond calculations
• Module 4: Measuring Risk: Calculate risk using different models and formulas
• Module 5: Performance Measurement: Measure a portfolio’s composite performance and risk
• Module 6: Capital Markets: Describe the major characteristics of the capital markets, modern portfolio theory, and the efficient frontier and what they tell us about risk and return
• Module 7: Asset Allocation: Describe the major asset classes, categories, styles, strategies, and structures
• Module 8: Alternative Investments: Describe alternative investments including various types and structures
• Module 9: Investment Policy: Describe the investment policy statement and the investment consultant/client relationship
• Module 10: Manager Search and Selection: Describe the manager search and selection process
• Module 11: Due Diligence: List key elements of performance reporting standards from IMCA, CFA Institute, and the SEC
• Module 12: Portfolio Evaluation: Describe different benchmarking techniques and the role of performance attribution in portfolio evaluation

How much does EIC cost?

Are there registration discounts for large groups?
Yes. E-mail Lara Davies or call 303.850.3081 for more information on pricing.

Can EIC be customized for large groups?
Yes. E-mail Lara Davies or call 303.850.3081 for more information about customization capabilities and pricing. 

What are the benefits of joining IMCA before pursuing the EIC Certificate?
EIC is a valuable tool for professionals. It can be used to expand their knowledge of investment consulting or as part of a professional development path for those who are eventually planning to obtain the CIMA process. By joining IMCA when they register for EIC, individuals gain access to excellent educational resources and support. Click here to learn more about IMCA membership. 

Continuing Education
The IMCA Essentials of Investment Consulting certificate program offers essential investment consulting information that is not appropriate for existing CIMA and CIMC professionals. Click here for more information about continuing education (CE) credit for CIMA and CIMC designees, and click here for information about CE for CPWA designees. The program has been pre-approved for up to seven hours of CFP continuing education credit. IMCA is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of continuing professional education. Please note that this is a certificate program and successful completion does not result in a professional designation or credential.