The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association and the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA) have launched the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Programme.
With alternative investments currently representing USD10trn in assets under management and liquid alternatives projected to triple by 2017, according to Citi Prime Finance, this online course fills a critical knowledge gap and establishes a benchmark for excellence in alternative investment education.
The course is available online to anyone who needs to understand the complexities of alternative investment products.
"The landscape for alternatives has changed dramatically, and it is imperative that the professionals charged with managing, analysing, distributing, and regulating these products keep pace with a focus that has knowledge and education as its central tenet," says William (Bill) Kelly, CAIA Association CEO. "The Fundamentals programme is meant to be an answer to the continued quest for this knowledge coming from so many newer and more retail-oriented intermediaries and end-clients."
The CAIA Association created the course in collaboration with IMCA, which delivers investment consulting and in wealth management credentials and education. IMCA hosts the programme – a self-paced course consisting of 20 one-hour modules, taught by CAIA's experts and authorities in alternative investment education – on its education platform.
The programme covers an overview of portfolio construction, risk management and due diligence, along with in-depth sections on hedge funds, real assets, private equity, commodities and structured products.
"Alternative investments are going mainstream, and educated investment advisors are critical to ensuring that these products are properly employed in sound investment portfolios," says Sean R Walters, CAE, IMCA's executive director and CEO. "Earning the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate demonstrates a strong understanding of alternative investing and will give advisors greater confidence in positioning alternatives in portfolios."
