IMC Qualification, Exam and Courses in the UK
The Investment Management Certificate (IMC) qualification has been approved by the Financial Services Authority as a benchmark competency examination for investment professionals in the UK. It is also recognised by the fund management industry as an entry level qualification for those working in financial analysis and investment management and is examined by the CFA Society of the UK.
IMC Qualification Benefits
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After successfully completing the IMC course, qualified candidates may use the letters “IMC” after their name. Those previously working in investment management support areas such as IT and marketing can move towards taking IMC Unit 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) course.
IMC Course Structure
The Investment Management Certificate is divided into two units which cover the Investment Environment in Unit 1 and Investment Practice in Unit 2 of the course.
IMC Unit I
IMC Unit 1 equips you with a solid foundation in how the UK regulatory environment works and how FSA rules are applied which effect financial markets and how investment businesses in the UK are conducted.
• The UK Financial Services Industry – a European and Global context
• Financial Markets
• Legal Concepts
• Regulation of Financial Services
• The Role of the Financial Services Authority (FSA)
• The Regulatory Framework
• The Regulatory Advice Framework
• Code of Ethics and Professional Standards
• Ethical and Compliance Driven Behaviour
• Retail Clients
• Client Objectives and the Investment Advice Process
• Skills required when advising clients
• The UK tax system
• The taxation of investments
• Tax planning
• Application of personal tax planning to investment advice
IMC Unit 2
In Unit 2 you will gain an appreciation of investment instruments and learn how to create and manage investment portfolios, as well as be provided with a basic knowledge of economics, accounting and statistics.
• Asset Classes
• Investment Products
• Derivatives and Other Instruments
• Investment Theories and Models
• Investment Management Principles
• Investment Performance Measurement
• The Macro-economic environment
• Micro-economics
• Statistics and Financial Mathematics
• Accounting
IMC Course Requirements
The IMC exam is designed for those candidates already working in the field of investments in an administrative or operational capacity even though no previous knowledge is necessary. You should ideally be competent at Maths and English to get the best from the course.
IMC Exams
The IMC qualification examination method utilises computer based tests with 85 questions lasting I hour 40 minutes for IMC Unit 1 exams and 2 hour 20 minutes for IMC Unit 2 exams comprising of 105 questions. You must pass both units to gain the IMC qualification.
