IMC - Investment Management Certificate

The IMC is an FSA approved threshold competency exam for people working in financial analysis, investment management and fund sales. It is administered by the CFA Society of the UK and its objective is ‘to test the delegate’s knowledge and understanding of the regulations and practices of financial markets, categories of securities and principles of investment management’.

The IMC also offers a good introduction to the financial services industry for those working in support areas such as information technology and marketing. Highly valued by many investment houses, it adds to your personal credentials in its own right, as well as being a stepping-stone for global professional qualifications such as the CFA® Program.

The IMC is comprised of two units.  Up until 31 August 2010 you can either take the full IMC or the two shorter papers; Unit 1 UK Regulations and Markets and Unit 2 Investment Practice, which together are equivalent to the full IMC.

However, after 1st September 2010 the IMC will become a level 4 qualification.  It will cover the core standards of the RDR and increase a little in length.  It will remain an achievable, sensibly-sized certificate appropriate for staff in both retail and institutional investment.  There will be no option to take the full IMC as one paper from September onwards.  

Please note: There will be no cross over with level 3 exams.  Therefore, delegates who have already started IMC must have completed both units by 31st August 2010, otherwise they will have to re-take the whole qualification.

Click here for more information on the different units.