Asset Management Fundamentals

"The course gave a detailed overview of things that I interact with daily, but never really understood, and was too daunted to try to figure out. You condensed months of self-study or varsity into three days!”

“Great balance of content. Excellent expert teaching. Most fascinated and engaged I have ever been in finance. Best course I ever attended!”

Most people working in investment management aren't analysts or portfolio managers. Rather, they have roles in operations, IT and software, marketing, client relationships, HR, support, and more. These professionals work towards the mission of achieving value for investors, but they often do not have a strong background in finance or investing. That’s okay: you don’t need to hold a CFA charter to add value. But you do need a basic understanding of the jargon, principles and processes underpinning the industry.

Over three days, the Asset Management Fundamentals course will give you exactly that. The key terminology, concepts and functions of your workplace, which may have been a bit unclear before, will come into sharp focus. And you’ll see the work you do, and the way it fits into the broader business, from a new perspective that empowers you to play your role even more effectively.

AMF was originally developed in close collaboration with two leading South African asset management firms, to make sure that it meets needs precisely and that no time is wasted. Since then, it has been offered many times, with continual refinements and innovations to maximise delegates’ interest and engagement, and to keep the course at the industry’s leading edge.

Who is the course for?

• Operational staff
• Software engineers, developers and testers
• Marketing specialists and client relationship managers
• HR specialists
• Support staff

What is covered?

• The big picture: the purpose of asset management 
• Investment philosophies & styles: active, passive, value, growth, etc.
• Asset classes, portfolios, products and clients: how they all fit together
• Financial instruments: equities, bonds and derivatives
• Retirement funds: mandates and key regulations
• Segregated portfolios vs unitised products
• Fees and performance measurement 
• Unit price calculations
• Trade cycle: key role players, processes, cycles and timeframes

How is the learning achieved?

This is not your regular classroom environment. The lead instructor, Darron West, is a firm believer that active learning is not achieved through screens and presentations. Instead, he leads delegates in a conversation, following a natural progression as questions arise. To keep things real and enrich each other’s understanding, each delegate will share their own knowledge and experiences. There are also exercises, group activities, fun quizzes and Kahoot competitions to vary the tempo and keep things interesting, even in the dreaded post-lunch hours. On completion, you’ll earn an Asset Management Fundamentals certificate.

This course can be run in-house and tailored to an organisation's unique requirements, with special rates for larger groups. To enquire about options, please click "Ask a question" at the top of your screen.