ACT qualifications support CPD

The Association of Corporate Treasurers offers three qualifications that can greatly benefit CIMA members and students.

The Certificate in Pensions Risk Management (Cert PRM), Certificate in International Cash Management (Cert ICM) and AMCT Associate Membership Qualification (FastTrack), are all excellent additions to your continuous professional development planning.

Cert PRM

The PRM Certificate is for financial managers and covers the legislative and financial framework surrounding pensions. It includes the role of trustees, risk management implications and associated governance issues. 

The certificate is designed to enable you to understand, analyse and manage the risks associated with company pension funds. It explores the impact of the pension fund on the cost of capital, helping you to manage the financial assets of the business and address funding requirements.

Topics covered include the UK pensions framework, types of company pension and pension risk exposures.

On completion you are eligible for PRM Affiliate status.

The Correspondence and Seminar course costs £1,090 plus VAT and the Revision course costs £510 plus VAT. Postage and packing costs will be added where applicable.

Cert ICM

The ICM Certificate will give you the skills to solve complex cash management issues. It will also make you aware of tax and regulatory issues and solutions that apply internationally.

It is the only qualification to focus on global cash management and has been developed for both banks and corporations in Europe, Asia and the US. It covers topics such as liquidity management, international payment systems, short-term investments and borrowing, and foreign exchange.

On completion you are eligible for ICM Affiliate status. This offers a central focus for those working in the cash management community. ICM Affiliates can access the dedicated newsletter, e-learning website and ICM Affiliates directory.

ICM course fees are £2,800 plus VAT with postage and packing cost where applicable.

AMCT FastTrack

CIMA and ACT have developed a FastTrack course for CIMA members and students who want to study for associate membership (AMCT).

There are two levels of papers in the AMCT syllabus. The first is Foundation Papers, which provide core understanding of treasury, law and accountancy principles. The second is Associate Papers, which build a deeper understanding of treasury, risk and corporate finance.

Benefits for members and students

FastTrack candidates receive exemptions from all of the Foundation Papers and need only complete three papers at the Associate Paper level to complete the AMCT.

They are also eligible to take the Corporate Finance and Funding FastTrack paper, exclusively written for FastTrack candidates. This paper is equivalent to half of the standard paper. Candidates who take the FastTrack paper need only sit two further papers to complete the AMCT, reducing the overall study to just two-and-a-half papers.

Although it is not compulsory to take the FastTrack paper it is strongly advised that CIMA members and students choose a combination that includes it as this reduces the study requirement for the AMCT.

Enrolment deadlines

Exams for all these qualifications take place in October 2007. The deadline for enrolment for all three is 31 May 2007.

Full details of where to find information on course costs, the syllabus and requirements as well as where to get application forms can be found at the CPD Centre. Please remember to mention you are a CIMA candidate when you sign up for these qualifications.

December 2006