Graduate School for Professionals

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PORTFOLIO & INVESTMENT STRATEGY

IN COLLABORATION WITH FINANCIAL TRAINING ACADEMY

OVERVIEW

In the aftermath of the global financial meltdown, investors and professionals alike have learnt an important lesson – that nobody is as passionate and serious about managing your money than yourselves. Some investors diversified their portfolio by spreading their investment in small percentages across numerous investments instruments whilst others focus heavily in one or two investment vehicles such as equities or properties. The rapid expansion of the financial industry has lead to a huge variety of investment and structured financial products, for any astute investor, there are potentially hundreds of decisions you must make in order to build well rounded investment portfolio, one which will benefit from market upswings and protected against downside risk.

There is also a spike in the number of providers offering get rich quick investment courses which promise high returns at minimal risk. To lent a quote from the Oracle of Omaha, Mr Warren Buffet: “ If it sounds too good to be true, most likely it is “.There is no secret and shortcut to achieving financial success, each of us has an unique set of risk appetite, product preference and investment horizon and priorities. To ensure that our hard-earn money is put to good use, we need to be educated about how to effectively manage our portfolio of investments. To determine our personal set of values, investment mindset, skills, investment techniques and strategies and understanding the potential risk and losses.

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PORTFOLIO & INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The Graduate Diploma in Portfolio and Investment strategy aims to educate investors with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage their portfolio using time tested value investment strategies, bringing stable return with minimal risk exposure. Designed and delivered by our advisory team which has over 30 years of professional investment and trading experience, this diploma is carefully structured to meet the learning needs of investors and managers seeking to manage their investment portfolio effectively.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this program is to provide a comprehensive and holistic financial education to the public on the world of investment by understanding and embracing investment strategies, deciphering the myriad of financial products and strategies and lastly leveraging on technology to effectively manage your investments. In this program, you will learn time tested, practical and cutting-edge strategies in personal financial management.

Some of the objectives of this series of workshops that lead to a highly practical and market focus diploma are as follows

• Understand the philosophy of investment
• The minds, thinking and strategies of successful investors
• Grasp the psychology of investors in a market
• Appreciate the history of major ideas behind investing
• Develop skills in Value Investing
• Using key ratios to assess the financial health of corporations
• Critically assess the myriad of investment strategies (fundamental & Technical Analysis)
• Understand the mathematical aspects of investment decisions
• Appreciate the critical techniques in the making of investment decisions
• Develop by a hands‐on optimal portfolio approach to asset allocation and risk management

PARTICIPANTS

The graduate diploma in Portfolio & Investment Strategy is designed to meet the needs of both finance and non-finance professionals seeking to advance their careers and professional knowledge in investment.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

This is a 6 months part-time program comprising of 4 modules. This program are tailored for working professionals and classes are conducted on weekdays evening from 7.00pm to 10.00pm or over weekends. Each module is supported with 24 contact hours of face to face lectures which are conducted by our experienced faculty.

• Psychology of Investing– Deciphering the mind of Successful Investment Gurus
• Value Investing – Un-coding Financial Statements
• Investment Strategy & Techniques – A Hands-on Approach
• Optimal Portfolio Strategy

ASSESSMENT MODE

Students will be assessed using a combination of examinations and assessments which could include quizzes, group discussions, case studies, presentations and examination.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

The Graduate Diploma in Portfolio & Investment Strategy program is awarded by Aventis School of Management . Successful graduates will be allowed to use the designatory letters "Grad Dip Investment Strategy" after their name upon completion of the program

You will also eligible to apply for professional certification and designation of a "Registered Financial Specialist" awarded by AAFM, the world's largest financial professionals associations with membership across 141 countries worldwide. Registration fees for AAFM Professional membership and RFS certification of S$1,000 payable to "Financial Training Academy Pte Ltd" apply.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

All applicants must possess:

• A degree or similar professional qualifications from a recognized university/institution, OR
• A diploma from a polytechnic with at least 3 years of working experience.
• Senior executives with extensive experience but without academic qualification may be considered on a case to case basis.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Interested applicants are required to submit the following:

• Duly-completed application form (download Form)
• Certified true copies of all education certificates and transcripts
• Your detailed Profile – Curriculum vitae
• Statement of Personal & Career Objectives
• Application processing fee of S$107 (non-refundable)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Participants may enrol and attend any of the modules for the acquisition of knowledge in a particular discipline. An executive certificate will be awarded for students that have fulfilled at least 80% attendance for that enrolled module.
• For participants that have enrolled and attended any of the modules for the acquisition of knowledge in a particular discipline, they will be issued with an executive certificate if they fulfil at least 80% attendance.

PSYCHOLOGY OF INVESTING – DECIPHERING THE MIND OF SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT GURUS

The general notion that most investor act rationally and consider all available information before making major investment has proven to be incorrect. Researchers have uncovered a surprisingly evidence that "reveals repeated patterns of irrationality, inconsistency, and incompetence in the ways human beings arrive at investment decisions and choices when faced with uncertainty." A field known as "Behavioral Finance" has evolved that attempts to better understand and explain how emotions and cognitive errors influence investors and the decision-making process. Many researchers believe that the study of psychology can shed considerable light on the efficiency of financial markets as well as explain many stock market anomalies, market bubbles, and crashes. Key topics to be emphasized include psychology and finance, issues of overconfidence, pride and regret, risk perceptions, mental accounting, forming portfolios, emotion and investing and selfcontrol and decision making, speculation, crashes, turmoil, forecast, analysis, performance measurement, tips, rules etc.

Participants after the module or workshop should develop a psychological profile of themselves as investors, their beliefs, tendencies, values and even strategies. What is most important is for them to first understand themselves as investors.

VALUE INVESTING STRATEGY – DECIPHERING FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND DETERMINING INTRINSIC VALUES

Value investing is an investment paradigm that derives from the ideas on investment and speculation that Ben Graham & David Dodd began teaching at Columbia Business School in 1928 and subsequently developed in their 1934 text Security Analysis. Although value investing has taken many forms since its inception, it generally involves buying securities whose shares appear underpriced versus its intrinsic value which is calculated through financial statement analysis. Value Investing is the corner stone of long-term growth. Those who practice it survive the ups and downs of the market and are more likely to emerge wealthy than those who ride the market. Use these resources to learn more about this famous technique and how it can increase your net worth over time. Adopted religiously by Warren Buffett, Value investing has help many successful well-known multi-millionaires and billionaires around the world. Through interpreting financial statements, you will be able to calculate the Intrinsic value of Businesses through various financial valuation method including Earnings Approach, Assets Approach and Discounted Cash Flow Approach.

Topics covered includes defining the difference between investors and speculators, instilling discipline to investing focusing on in-depth analysis and unwavering discipline and most importantly removing emotion from investing by measuring the value of stocks' underlying businesses.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES & TECHNIQUES – A HANDS-ON APPROACH

There are many wealth creation strategies and investment techniques available. This module will provide participants with an effective framework of understanding the various investment techniques and financial instruments available in the market.

Design with the aim to help participants determine the financial instruments that best suits their investment needs. Participants will learn to trade in most market instruments based on risk and Returns: Stock Analysis, Valuation and Pricing.. This module will also covers Technical Analysis, Puts and Options as Trading Strategy. Geared towards more short and mid-term trading, participants will learn to use Technical Analysis and charting patterns to dictate on investment strategies.

OPTIMAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

In finance, a portfolio is an appropriate mix or collection of investments held by institutions or a private individual. Holding a portfolio is part of an investment and risk-limiting strategy called diversification. By owning several assets, certain types of risk (in particular specific risk) can be reduced. The assets in the portfolio could include stocks, bonds, options, warrants, gold certificates, real estate, futures contracts, production facilities, or any other item that is expected to retain its value In building up an investment portfolio a financial institution will typically conduct its own investment analysis, whilst a private individual may make use of the services of a financial advisor or a financial institution which offers portfolio management services. Participants will gain an understanding of the investment pyramid strategy that allocates assets according to the relative safety and soundness of investments. Using time tested wisdom like proper asset allocation, diversifications and regular portfolio review, participants will be able to develop and determine their respective portfolio.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

The Graduate Diploma in Finance & Investment program is awarded by Aventis School of Management . Successful graduates will be allowed to use the designatory letters “Grad Dip Portfolio & Investment Strategy” after their name upon completion of the program.

You will also eligible to apply for professional certification and designation of a "Registered Financial Specialist" awarded by AAFM, the world's largest financial professionals associations with membership across 141 countries worldwide. Registration fees for AAFM Professional membership and RFS certification of S$1,000 payable to "Financial Training Academy Pte Ltd" apply.

ARTICULATION PATHWAY

This is an internationally recognized program, upon successful completion of the program, applicants will be granted advanced standing and exemptions into the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

All applicants must possess:

• A degree or similar professional qualifications from a recognized university/institution, OR
• A diploma from a polytechnic with at least 3 years of working experience.
• Senior executives with extensive experience but without academic qualification may be considered on a case to case basis.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Interested applicants are required to submit the following:

• Duly-completed application form (download Form)
• Certified true copies of all education certificates and transcripts
• Your detailed Profile – Curriculum vitae
• Statement of Personal & Career Objectives
• Application processing fee of S$107 (non-refundable)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Participants may enrol and attend any of the modules for the acquisition of knowledge in a particular discipline. An executive certificate will be awarded for students that have fulfilled at least 80% attendance for that enrolled module.
• For participants that have enrolled and attended any of the modules for the acquisition of knowledge in a particular discipline, they will be issued with an executive certificate if they fulfil at least 80% attendance.

FIND OUT MORE

Download our prospectus for more information

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

All notice of withdrawal must be in writing. A full refund of the course fees paid will be made if notice of withdrawal is received more than 60 days before course commencement. If notice of withdrawal is received between 60 to 30 days before course commencement, 75% of course fees paid will be refunded. No refund will be made after the course has commenced. Course Fee paid will not be refunded in the event of deferment regardless of whether the request made is prior to commencement or after the commencement of the course.