Self-paced online learning
Register and start studying straight away. You’ll have access to the course content and activities plus the final assessment for 12 months from registration.
CFA Institute Investment Foundations Certificate
Gain tangible knowledge of the investment industry with the CFA Institute Investment Foundations® Certificate. Being able to solve and communicate solutions for complex investment issues starts with understanding the essentials.
This certificate gives you a comprehensive overview of the investment industry’s structure, concepts, and ethical considerations, helping to advance your career in finance. Covering the fundamentals of the same topic areas as Level I of the CFA® Program, you’ll gain an essential understanding of the investment industry’s structure, financial markets, professional roles, and client needs.
USD 350
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- Certificate
- Foundational level
- 40-70 hours to complete
- Self-paced online learning
Prerequisites
Who should enrol
- Students or professionals seeking to understand the fundamentals of the investment industry.
- Professionals already working in support roles within the investment industry and want to develop their knowledge.
Exclusive offer for full-time students available
What you’ll learn
- Enhance credibility within your organizations by having a newfound confidence and a basic understanding of the investment industry, including structure, functioning, ethical considerations, forces affecting its evolution, and commonly used vocabulary.
- Elevate your ability to think critically, ask the right questions, and innovate in the investment industry.
- Understand the foundational concepts, tools, and techniques needed in your career to open more doors.
- Skillfully communicate and collaborate with and provide support to investment management professionals.
- Clarify job roles and responsibilities of those in the investment industry with whom you work with daily.
Topics covered
- Investment Industry
- Economics
- Financial Analysis
- Investment Management Strategies
- Standards, Ethics, and Regulations
How it works
Take each of the six courses, with assessments and activities along the way, to guide and ensure your understanding. Then take the final assessment to earn the Investment Foundations Certificate and digital badge.
| Modular Structure | Flexible Deliver | Program Excellence |
| – Six courses
– 60-90 hours of total study time |
– Self-paced
– Progress tracking – Set study goals – 12 month access to coursework |
– Engaging content
– Online, 100 multiple – Choice question final assessment – Shareable certificate upon successful completion |
Why choose the Investment Foundations Certificate?
Course description
The Investment Foundations Certificate will provide you with the fundamentals of the global investment industry, which will help better equip you for the world of finance.
The Investment Foundations Certificate begins with an introduction to the investment industry’s structure, including the types of institutions, functions of participants, and services it consists of. Learn about the benefits of the investment industry and the forces that affect its evolution, including technological innovations, the importance of ethics/ethical conduct, and an overview of the purpose and types of regulators and regulations that govern the industry.
Delve into primary and secondary markets and discover how they operate. This course will also introduce you to decentralized finance, the concept of investment vehicles, how they are structured, and how those structures serve investors.
Become familiar with the types and characteristics of primary investment instruments, including equity securities (stocks), debt securities (bonds), alternative investments, and derivatives.
Develop your understanding of how investment professionals identify and then analyze relevant information, and how that impacts their investment and financing decisions.
Discover how investment firms serve clients’ investment needs and examine risk considerations and management. You will also learn how portfolio performance evaluation helps investment professionals and their clients better understand sources of risks and returns.
Learn about the benefits, key concepts, and approaches to ESG investing, and how it links to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). You’ll also see how ethical dilemmas that arise in practice can be addressed through an ethical decision-making framework.
Learn via engaging content and activities
Work towards the Investment Foundations Certificate in a way that fits your learning style and schedule.
Modular structure
Maintain your progress as you work through each course by setting study goals along the way.
Start with the foundations.
Enrol todayLearn the essentials of finance, ethics, and investment roles in the global investment industry.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll have access to the learning materials for 12 months from the date of purchase. Learning materials and assessments can be accessed anywhere, online, providing maximum flexibility and convenience to candidates.
The Investment Foundations Certificate covers fundamental topics similar to Level I of the CFA Program, giving a solid grasp of the investment industry. It’s an excellent starting point for those interested in pursuing the CFA Program.
Yes, high school students are eligible for the certificate. It’s a great way for them to gain early exposure to the finance industry and build a solid foundation for their future careers.
The Investment Foundations Certificate significantly enhances your CV by showcasing your foundational knowledge in finance and investment. It opens various entry-level job prospects in the finance field, demonstrating your commitment and understanding to potential employers.