Canadian Professional Securities Analyst (CPSA)TM

A career as a Securities Analyst can be an exciting and rewarding lifetime experience. The Canadian Professional Securities Analyst (CPSA)TM designation will equip you with the skills, knowledge and tools for success.

The CPSATM designation will help you stand out from the crowd, differentiate yourself from the competition and send a signal that you are a dedicated, respected and trustworthy insudtry professional.

CPSA Professional Education Program

  • To earn the CPSA designation, candidates must complete 7 courses and the capstone module.

  • Each of the 7 courses requires approximately 15 to 20 hours of study time and the capstone module requires 10 hours.

  • Tuition is $150 per course (total program tuition is $1,200). All prices are in Canadian Dollars.

  • Save up to 50% off the tuition (this program qualifies for the Canada Training Credit).

CPSA Designation Courses

  • Course 1: Math of Investments

    This is an introductory course in the mathematics of finance and investment. Topics covered include fundamental math concepts, rates of return, simple interest and compound interest calculations, calculations related to annuities, amortization and sinking funds, as well as introductory concepts related to the valuation of investments.

  • Course 2: Fundamental and Technical Analysis

    This course focuses on providing candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of fundamental and technical analysis as well as developing practical skills used in devising investment strategies and portfolio management techniques. Major areas covered include financial statement analysis, industry analysis, company analysis, statistical analysis, charting and interpretation of sentiment indicators.

  • Course 3: Economics and Portfolio Theory

    This course focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of micro and macro economic concepts applied to security analysis and classical portfolio theory. Major areas covered include the economic cycle, interest rate and inflation effects, economic indicators, Markowitz theory, diversification, CAPM, multifactor models, asset allocation and creating an investment policy statement.

  • Course 4: Equity Securities Analysis

    This course focuses on the analysis of individual equity securities using theoretical, fundamental and technical techniques. Major areas covered are capital markets, financing, listing and regulation, the process of investing, valuation of equity securities, portfolio approach to investing, and different types of investment accounts.

  • Course 5: Fixed Income Securities Analysis

    This course examines the valuation of fixed income securities, fixed income portfolio management, as well as an introduction to fixed income derivatives. Major areas covered include valuation of bonds, term structure of interest rates, measuring and managing interest rate risk, money market securities, government and corporate bond markets, passive and active bond portfolio management, performance measurement, securitization and interest rate derivatives.

  • Course 6: Derivatives/Risk Management

    This course focuses on the application of financial derivatives and financial engineering to the issues and problems related to financial risk management. Major areas covered include the introduction and pricing of derivative securities such as forwards, futures, options and swaps, the application of these derivative securities for financial risk management for individual investors, corporations and financial institutions.

  • Course 7: Ethical Practices and Professional Conduct

    This course provides candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the requirements related to ethical conduct, standards of conduct, and regulatory obligations. Major areas covered are the code of ethics and professional standards of conduct, dealing with conflicts of interest, the regulators, securities regulations and legislation, obligations for dealing with clients, the Know Your Client (KYC) and suitability obligation, and prohibited research/recommendation practices.

  • Course 8: Capstone Module

    The capstone module is a culminating course in which candidates demonstrate their mastery of the key professional competencies addressed in each of the 7 courses of the CPSA professional education program by completing a case study project and a formal final examination.

Enrolment Options

There are two payment options for this designation: