Canadian Securities Institute

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Canadian Securities Institute (CSI Global Education Inc.)
Type Private Education Institution
Established 1970
Location
Canada

Toronto

200 Wellington Street West Toronto, ON M5V 3C7

Montreal

625 René-Lévesque Blvd West, Suite 400,

Montreal, QC H3B 1R2
,
Website csi.ca
Canadian Securities Institute.gif

Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".

The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI, formally, CSI Global Education Inc.) is a higher education organization that offers licensing courses, advanced certifications, continuing education and custom training for financial services professionals (primarily in the area of financial advice) in Canada and internationally.

CSI is based in Toronto and Montreal and owned by Moody's Analytics. CSI educates more than 50,000 financial professionals annually in Canada and in several jurisdictions[1] around the world. Overall, it has trained more than 800,000 students since it began operating as the Canadian Securities Institute in 1970.[2]

Courses, Programs & Certificates

The Canadian Securities Institute offers 100 courses, 11 certificate programs, specialized designations, as well as continuing education programs for Canadian financial professionals primarily in the area of financial advice.

CSI provides licensing education and testing to meet compulsory credentialing requirements for Canada’s financial services industry. It is the exclusive provider of the Canadian Securities Course (CSC), part of the base requirement for qualification as a licensed securities dealer in Canada.[3] CSI is endorsed by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), and Canada’s securities regulatory commissions.[4]

The Canadian Securities Course is widely viewed by Canada’s financial services sector as the de facto entry requirement for many careers of its paths. First offered in 1964,[5] it has remained an exclusive part of the proficiency requirement to be registered as an investment advisor with an IIROC member firm. The CSC is also recognized as a requirement for mutual fund representatives and exempt market dealer representatives. Finally, it is recognized by several foreign securities regulators, including those in the U.S., U.K., France and Hong Kong. CSI also provides a simplified version for motivated investors who wish to increase their financial literacy/knowledge but do not plan a career as a stock broker.[6]

CSI offers programs and courses through a variety of formats including distance (primarily online) and in class, to make them as accessible as possible.[7] Some of its courses are available through Ontario Community Colleges (e.g., Fanshawe College in London, Ontario and Centennial College in Toronto).[8] And the PFP may be applied to an MBA (Financial Services) at Dalhousie University.[9]

Specialist Certificates

The 11 specialist certificates offered by the Canadian Securities Institute are intended to provide specialized knowledge in a specific aspect of financial/investment management.[10] Some are stand alone; some provide interim qualifications for pursuing a designation. They are:

  • Retirement Strategy
  • Investment Dealer Compliance
  • Financial Services Advice
  • Estate Planning and Trust Strategy
  • Derivatives Market Strategies
  • Small Business Advisory
  • Advanced Investment Advice
  • Fixed Income Trading and Sales
  • Equity Trading and Sales
  • Advanced Mutual Funds Advice
  • Personal Banking

Designations

The Canadian Securities Institute offers these specialized designations and distinctions:

PFP – Personal Financial Planner

Comprehensive financial advice designation prevalent in financial institutions. It is recognized across Canada except Quebec and is accredited under ISO 17024*. (CSI also provides the education that meets Quebec’s provincial requirements and leads to the IQPF Financial Planning Exam and to earning the Financial Planner (Pl. Fin.) designation.) [11]

CIM – Chartered Investment Manager

Designation enabling investment professionals to meet regulatory requirements for providing discretionary portfolio management services in Canada.

CSWP – Chartered Strategic Wealth Professional

Designation for investment advisors, financial advisors, financial planners and life insurance specialists, working within a securities firm, bank, or a financial planning organization who provide financial counsel to affluent clients. (Formerly known as Ch.P. Strategic Wealth.)

Fellow of Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI)

This is the highest credential and honour bestowed by the Canadian Securities Institute.[12] At the end of 2012, the Fellow of CSI was held in good standing by 3,469 financial services professionals. A maximum of two individuals per year may be awarded an Honorary FCSI.

MTI – Estate and Trust Professional

For advanced estate and trust professionals, working in trust companies and law or accounting firms with some high level wealth management specialists, e.g., trust/tax officers, senior trust officers, estate planners and trust administrators. The MTI designation was introduced in 1976. In its 2012 Advisors’ Report Card, Investment Executive found that 12.3% of financial advisors overall hold the CIM, 10.3% hold the PFP and 10.2% were recognized as Fellows of the Canadian Securities Institute.[13]

International Education Activities

Besides providing financial education within Canada, CSI partners with organizations worldwide to provide financial proficiency training in China,[14] Europe, the Middle East, Central America and the Caribbean.[15] CSI designations are recognized by regulatory authorities, financial organizations and associations in Canada and internationally.[16] CSI operates 150 exam centres worldwide.[17]

Between 2005 and 2010, CSI had trained more than 1,000 financial professionals in China. It opened its first office in China – in Shanghai– in 2009.[18]

History

CSI was established as the “Canadian Securities Institute” in 1970 by Canadian financial self-regulatory organizations (SROs) and changed its name in 2002 after incorporating as a for-profit entity under the name CSI Global Education Inc. It is more commonly known as the Canadian Securities Institute.

  • 1964: Canadian Securities Course is first offered.
  • 1970: Established as the Canadian Securities Institute. More than 750,000 financial services professionals had taken its courses to the end of 2012.
  • 1976: Fellowship of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) was introduced Member, Trust Institute (MTI) designation is introduced.
  • 1993: Development of new designations in financial planning and portfolio management launched. Expanded beyond securities industry to serve training needs of banks, mutual fund dealers and universities.
  • 1999: First roster of Internet-based courses launched on CSI’s website.
  • 2000: Specialized designation introduced to certify financial derivatives specialists. First such designation offered internationally.
  • 2001: One of 10 educational providers in Canada granted accreditation to provide life insurance licensing to Canadian students.
  • 2003: Canadian Securities Institute is renamed CSI Global Education Inc. As of 2012, CSI resumed using “Canadian Securities Institute”.
  • 2005: Canada-China initiatives launched. Developed with the Securities Association of China (SAC), it brings Chinese financial services professionals to Toronto for educational programs (basic to advanced).
  • 2006: Acquired by investment firm Onex Corporation in January.
  • 2007: Institute of Canadian Bankers (ICB) is acquired by CSI.[19] Enables CSI to provide extended financial services training and educational courses. Begins to offer advanced educational courses in licensing and compliance training in banking, investment, wealth management, insurance, trust and management studies.
  • 2010: Acquired by Moody’s Corporation[20] for $CDN 155 million.[21] CSI operates as part of the Training and Certification arm of Moody’s Analytics.
  • 2011: Eleven (11) course bundles introduced by CSI to help professionals obtain various designations. These include the Personal Financial Planner (PFP), CIM and Certified Financial Planner designations.[22] Canadian Investment Manager designation renamed in September 2011 to Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) to improve portability outside Canada.
  • 2012: Canadian Securities Institute and its Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation receive ISO 17024 accreditation through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

ISO Accreditation

The Canadian Securities Institute and its PFP designation received ISO 17024 (International Organization for Standardization) accreditation from the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) simultaneously on June 28, 2012.[23]

ISO 17024 establishes standards for “personal certifications” – i.e., professional designations. ISO 17024 accreditation signifies that CSI and the PFP program meet the requirements to be a credentialing organization (rather than merely an educator/examiner).

Partner & Industry Relationships

The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) has established partnerships and/or industry relationships with a variety of organizations:

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

External links