Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA) is a global
finance designation offered by the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts (ACIIA) to financial professionals; candidates may be
financial analysts,
portfolio managers or investment advisors.
The CIIA maintains standards both at the national and international levels: ACIIA tests candidates at the local level (at their home country), and, having cleared those country specific exams, at the common international level.
Because of similarity in exam structure and difficulty, CIIA is sometimes described as the "European version of the
CFA". [citation needed]
Association of Certified International Investment Analysts
Prevention and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Compensation
Fair Dealing with Clients
Prohibition Against Use of Material, Non-Public Information
Proper Use of Professional Qualifications
Preservation of Client Confidentiality
The ACIIA is recognised and promoted by both
ASIF and
EFFAS representing financial analyst federations in Asia and Europe. ACIIA is the international umbrella organisation for national and regional associations of investment professionals representing over 60,000 portfolio managers, analysts, investment advisers, asset managers and fund managers etc. worldwide.[2]
ACIIA was formed in year 2000 by two large and world's leading federations "
EFFAS" and "
ASIF". The third federation "
APIMEC" of
Brazil joined with ACIIA to offer CIIA program to member countries[3] bringing in a common platform of Knowledge and uniform standards to Investment professionals worldwide. For the constituent analyst societies see under
EFFAS and
ASIF.
Certified International Investment Analyst
To be awarded the CIIA, candidates must pass two "Common Knowledge" Exams and a third National/Regional Exam, examining knowledge of specific markets. Candidates must also have 3 years relevant experience
[1] and be a member of ACIIA, as well as of their local or regional society. The exams are taken twice per year and are written at a
postgraduate level; they require 18 hours in total, and the recommended preparation time is about 900 study hours.
The
Common Knowledge Exams consist of four papers at the "Foundation level", and two at the "Final level". The foundation level papers, in turn, comprise
multiple choice, calculation,
discursive and short essay questions. The final level exams comprise
case studies and in-depth essays. The topics covered at both levels are:
The CIIA is variously recognised as regards regulatory requirements or educational /exam exemptions:[5]
The CIIA qualification is recognised as a key 2 qualification in the UK by the Financial Services Skills Council.
Membership of
Securities & Investment Institute (SII) with 3 years of Professional experience for CIIA diploma holders for full membership (MSI). SII is also a part of the ACIIA network.
The ACIIA has an awarding body status in the UK and CIIA qualification to be included on the appropriate examinations list for seven relevant activities that are regulated by the FSA (Financial Services Authority) in the UK.[6]
The
Securities Analysts Association of Japan (SAAJ) offering the prestigious Japanese qualification CMA has given exemptions to common exams and CIIA holders have to give only regional or local exams covering only national topics.[7]
Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the equivalent of SEC for USA) recognises CIIA holders for Test of Competence and for fulfilling regulatory requirements.
The CIIA fulfils the regulatory requirements of the Polish Securities and Exchange Commission for registration as a licensed securities broker or investment adviser.
IFBL (Institut De Formation Bancaire Luxembourg) [11] in association with
PWC recognises CIIA diploma holders for their Certified Private Banker program [12] giving exemptions from attending tuition blocks for (i) Legal and Regulatory Framework and (ii) Portfolio Management, as well as for specific examinations.
^5HS, The Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14.
"Financial Services Authority". www.fsa.gov.uk. Archived from
the original on 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2009-05-16.{{
cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)