Canadian Securities Program

Overview

The financial industry as a whole is becoming much more integrated than it used to be. Banks and other financial institutions now find themselves acting in the role of investment advisors, and look for people to hire who have an education and background to fulfill those new needs. Completion of the Canadian Securities Program is a necessary prerequisite for anyone entertaining a career in financial services. This course offers careers in brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, financial planning companies and banks and credit unions.

Entrance Requirements

Acceptance into Certificate programs require completion of grade 12 (or equivalent), and competency in both written and spoken English. An Entrance Test is required. The students must be registered with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) prior to enrolment. Please visit their website: www.csi.ca for more information.

Tuition Fee

$699 for Canadian Securities Program Part One
$699 for Canadian Securities Program Part Two
$100 Registration

Corporate rates may be available for groups of employees of financial services companies, RCMP Commercial Crime Section staff, and securities commission employees. Contact your human resources or training department to determine eligibility.

Course Start Dates

CSP PART I:  Starts every Saturday Morning from  9:00AM to 5:00PM
CSP PART II: Starts every Saturday Morning from 9:00AM to 5::00PM
Certification

Canadian Securities Program Certificate awarded by the Canadian Securities Institute. CSI is endorsed by the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and Canada’s stock exchanges.

 

Course Outline for CSP Part 1

Chapter 1 – Capital Markets and Financial Services

  • Introduction
  • Investment Capital
  • Sources of Capital
  • Users of Capital
  • The Role of Financial Instruments
  • The Role of Financial Markets
  • Dealer Markets – The Unlisted Market
  • The Role of Financial Intermediaries
  • The Canadian Securities Industry
  • Chartered Banks
  • Life Insurance Companies
  • Investment Funds
  • Other Intermediaries
  • Regulatory Organizations
  • The Clearing System
  • CSI Global Education Inc.

Chapter 2 – The Canadian Economy

  • An Overview of the Economy
  • Measuring Economic Growth
  • The Economy in the Short Run
  • The Economy in the Long Run
  • Interest Rates
  • Money and Inflation
  • Labor Markets
  • The External Sector
  • Economic Theories
  • Fiscal Policy
  • Monetary Policy
  • The Challenge for Government policy

Chapter 3 – Financing, Listing and Regulation

  • Financing
  • The Listing Process
  • Regulation and Investor Protection

Chapter 4 – Corporations and their Financial Statements

  • Types of Business Structures
  • Incorporated Businesses
  • Understanding the Balance Sheet
  • Understanding the Earnings Statement
  • Understanding the Retained Earnings Statement
  • Understanding the Cash Flow Statement
  • Other information in the Annual report
  • Specimen Financial Statements

Chapter 5 – Fixed Income Securities

  • Overview
  • Features and Provisions of Bonds
  • Types of Bonds
  • Bond Pricing Principles
  • Delivery, Regulation and Settlement
  • Bond Indexes

Chapter 6 – Equities

  • Common Shares
  • Rights and Advantages of Common Share Ownership
  • Preferred Shares
  • Types of Preferreds
  • Cash and Margin Accounts
  • Short Selling of Equities
  • Equity Transactions
  • Buy and Sell Orders
  • Stock Indexes and Averages

Chapter 7 – Derivatives

  • Introduction
  • What is a Derivative?
  • Types of Underlying Assets
  • Who Uses Derivatives and Why do they use them?
  • Options
  • Forwards
  • Use of Futures and Options by Mutual Fund Companies and Portfolio Managers
  • Rights and Warrants
Course Outline for CSP Part 2

Chapter 8 – Analyzing Markets and Products

  • Overview of Analysis Methods
  • Fundamental Macroeconomic Analysis
  • Fundamental Industry Analysis
  • Fundamental Company Analysis
  • Interpreting Financial Statements
  • Fundamental Valuation Methods
  • Technical Analysis
  • Appendix A – Specimen Financial Statements
  • Appendix B – Sample Analysis of Two Companies

Chapter 9 – The Portfolio Approach

  • Risk and Return
  • The Portfolio Management Process
  • Determining Objectives and Constraints
  • Developing an Asset MIX
  • Designing an Investment Policy Statement
  • Implementing the Asset MIX
  • Monitoring the Economy, the Markets, the Portfolio and the Client
  • Evaluating Portfolio Performance
  • Appendix A
  • Return Expectation Analysis

Chapter 10 – Mutual Funds

  • Introduction
  • The Structure of Mutual Funds
  • Redeeming Mutual Fund Units or Shares
  • Who Regulates Mutual Funds?
  • Types of Mutual Funds
  • Fund Management Styles
  • Comparing Mutual Fund Performance
  • Appendix A

Chapter 11 – Other managed Accounts and Products

  • Segregated Funds
  • Closed-End Funds
  • Labor-Sponsored Venture Capital Corporations
  • Income Trusts
  • Exchange-Traded Funds
  • Index-Linked Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICS)
  • Universal Life Insurance
  • Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS)
  • Scholarship Trusts
  • Investment Contracts
  • Quebec Business investment Company (QBIC)
  • Managed Accounts

Chapter 12 – Hedge Funds

  • Introduction to Hedge Funds
  • Portfolio Theory and Hedge Funds
  • Benefits and Risks of Hedge Funds
  • Hedge Fund Strategies
  • Tracking Hedge Fund Performance

Chapter 13 – Financial Planning and Taxation

  • Information gathering, Communication and education
  • The Process of Financial planning
  • Ethics and the Financial Advisor
  • Standards of Conduct
  • Taxes and Taxation Issues
  • Tax Deferral Plans
  • Appendix A:

A. Registrant Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct

  • Appendix B:

A. Juan Casuso
B. Johanna Von Rosen

 

Online Admissions