WHIreland Wealth Management

This postgraduate finance qualification covers the areas of securities, investment, compliance, derivatives, corporate finance and operations. It provides flexibility and choice, enabling candidates to concentrate on areas relevant to their chosen career path

This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal and corporate pensions.

This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.

This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: process of decumulating pension funds and the main issues for clients and advisers; main choices facing members of pensions schemes during decumulation; features, risks and tax treatment of the secured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of the unsecured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of phased retirement; features, risks and tax treatment of the alternatively secured pension option.

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: main tax and legal frameworks that govern the accumulation phase of building up retirement benefits under registered pension schemes; features of defined contribution and defined benefit pensions; choices faced by early leavers and use of transfer value analysis; State retirement benefits available, including the risks and suitability of contracting out of the State Second Pension.

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: how the economic environment and individual company performance affects investment performance and investment decision making; how risk is measured and managed; the main principles governing how to construct an investment portfolio; the range of investment management services, how their performance is evaluated and their regulatory environment.