Enrollment in Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program exceeds 1,000 in first year as demand for education soars
AMHERST, MASS. (March 31, 2015) – This month, the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a global leader in alternative investment education, celebrated the one-year anniversary of the launch of its Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (“Fundamentals”).
The Fundamentals program, an online, self-directed course of study, provides a foundation of core concepts in alternative investing and fills a critical educational gap for professionals in the asset and wealth management industries. With the rapid growth of liquid alternative offerings in particular, a product category that Barclays estimates will reach between $650 billion and $950 billion in assets by 20181 , investment advisors and other intermediaries have embraced the Fundamentals program as a means for gaining a deeper understanding of alternatives. More than 1,000 professionals registered for Fundamentals during the past year and a number of firms have sought to incorporate the program as part of their internal training and education efforts around alternative investments.
“The early success of Fundamentals has been driven by RIAs, independent broker dealers, liquid alternative product manufacturers, regulators and the vast majority of large wirehouses, which are seeking access to better educational solutions,” said William (Bill) Kelly, CEO of the CAIA Association. “Our mission is to continue to take this approach to senior leadership at all such organizations, stressing the importance of continued educational efforts for the ultimate benefit of the clients they serve.”
The Fundamentals course encompasses 20 hours of study and is accepted for continuing education hours for CIMA®, CPWA® and CFP® designations. Drawing from the CAIA Charter curriculum, the program provides an overview of alternatives, including risk management and due diligence, as well as hedge funds, real assets, private equity, commodities, and structured products. Fundamentals provides critical insights into each topic and product category, helping professionals further their own understanding and better equipping them for the rapidly changing alternative investment landscape.
“Investment advisors working across all firm types and business models must be well versed in the intricacies of alternative investments in order to strategically employ them in client portfolios,” said Sean R. Walters, CAE, executive director of Investment Management Consultants Association® (IMCA®). “We are proud to be delivering this successful program and pleased that this collaboration is providing advisors with deeper knowledge as alternatives continue to proliferate today’s market.” The Fundamentals program was created by the CAIA Association in collaboration with IMCA.
Early adopters of the program included Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (Deutsche AWM), the first asset manager to require certification of its retail coverage in the Americas through the Fundamentals program. Other firms, such as RC Securities and Hatteras Funds, also have integrated the program into their internal alternative investment education plans.
About the CAIA Association
The CAIA Association is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education pro-gram uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The Association is best known for the CAIA Charter, an internationally recognized credential granted upon successful completion of a rigorous two-level exam series, combined with relevant work experience. Earning the CAIA Charter is the gateway to becoming a Member of the CAIA Association, a global network of more than 7,300 alternative investment professionals located in more than 80 countries. CAIA also offers the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (FAI), an introductory-level online course, designed to provide a foundation in the core concepts in alternative investing. This program represents a natural extension of CAIA’s mission to provide solutions to specific market needs for alternative investment education.
To learn more about the CAIA Association, contact Deborah McLean (413) 253-7373 or dmclean@caia.org. For more information on the CAIA Charter, please visit caia.org.
1Barclays – “Developments and Opportunities for Hedge Fund Managers in the ’40 Act space,” June 2014.
