Registration Open: IOB Funds Professional Qualifications

Irish Funds has a long-standing partnership with IOB (a recognised college of UCD) to provide a range of programmes aimed specifically at those working in the investment funds industry.

The Professional Diploma in Applied Alternative Investments, Professional Certificate in International Investment Fund Services, Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments and Professional Certificate for Designated Persons in a Fund Management Company are now accepting registrations for programmes commencing in February 2022. Programmes are delivered 100% online.

• Professional Diploma in Applied Alternative Investments - This programme provides a unique opportunity to gain a UCD post-graduate qualification in the area of applied alternative investments. It will advance your knowledge and understanding of valuation issues relevant to alternative investments, legal and regulatory considerations, and long-term trends in the alternatives arena.
• Professional Certificate in International Investment Fund Services - This programme has been the industry’s benchmark qualification for many years and has been significantly refocused, updated and enhanced to reflect the many industry developments over recent years. It is a unique and specific programme designed to support the industry’s day-to-day activities.

Upon successful completion of this programme graduates will be invited to the Accredited Funds Professional Designation. The Accredited Funds Professional is a designation developed by IOB in conjunction with Irish Funds. This title is an industry badge of excellence that exemplifies your funds expertise, client focus and professional standing, supported by lifelong learning.

• Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments - This programme is designed for those working in the international financial services area who require a good working knowledge of the characteristics of derivative products and complex financial instruments. The use of complex financial instruments in investment fund strategies has seen a huge increase over the past five years. Many alternative fund strategies seek to generate returns from asset classes solely created from derivative structures, such as the use of Total Return Swaps or Credit Default Swaps for long-short strategies in equities or bonds. Derivatives are now used in combination with even the most basic equity and bond management strategies

IFS Skillnet funding is also available for these programmes, with additional information on this on the programme pages.

• Professional Certificate for Designated Persons in a Fund Management Company - The Professional Certificate for Designated Persons in a Fund Management Company was introduced to support the development of individuals in Designated Person roles, or those who aspire to these roles. It is also relevant to individuals who support Designated Persons and to other professionals in Fund Management Companies. The Central Bank of Ireland requires that a Fund Management Company or self-managed fund (“Fund ManCo”), which delegates activities, must appoint a number of Designated Persons to carry out prescribed managerial functions. Designated Persons (DPs) are the individuals who are responsible for monitoring and overseeing the managerial function assigned to them. DP roles are Pre-Approval Controlled Functions (PCFs) under the Central Bank’s Fitness and Probity regime.

Registration is now open until the 28th of January 2022, if you would like additional information on these programmes, please contact William Lawless at education@iob.ie