CAIA makes significant updates to level II curriculum, new additions to be included |
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Author: CAIA Association
The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association® (CAIAA), an independent, not-for-profit international organization that provides a charter program for professionals in alternative investments, today announced that it has made significant curriculum amendments to its September 2008 Level II exams. Registration for the Level I and Level II exams will open on April 1.
The September Level II exam will include updates of the Level II Topics 7 through 11, collectively known as the CAIA Level II Integrated Topic Readings. A total of 15 new articles have been added to the new curriculum. A sample of the new topics includes:
- 130/30 strategies
- Infrastructure investments (e.g., roads, bridges, etc.)
- Hedge fund contagion/systemic risk
- Unwinding hedge funds
- Credit crisis
- Hedge fund replication
- Private Equity and Hedge Fund Convergence
- MiFID
The recent market volatility, other economic events and the need to stay current and forward-looking led to this year’s changes, according to Craig Asche, Executive Director of the CAIA Association.
“As witnessed over the last six months, financial markets and associated investment strategies can literally change overnight,” Asche added. “The alternatives industry is not immune to these events and, in fact, can often be the catalyst for change. We work in an increasingly correlated global economy such that events in one country or sector can have a significant and nearly instantaneous impact elsewhere. As a result, it is essential we update, alter and enhance our curriculum to reflect market events and anticipate the needs of our members. The upcoming Level II program will provide the most up-to-date education to help them adapt to and find value in today’s changing landscape.”
In addition to the new articles, the titles of topics 7 through 11 have also changed to: “New Products and Strategies, Securitization and Structured Products, Research in Alternative Investments, Regulation, and Current Topics and Case Analysis.”
The CAIA Association created the Curriculum Development Initiative (CDI) in spring 2007 to spearhead this year’s curriculum changes. Nearly 70 CAIA members participated in the CDI, headed by CAIA’s Director of Examinations, Kathryn Wilkins, and supported by CAIA Senior Advisor, Hossein Kazemi.
Since its inception in 2002, more than 7000 individuals have enrolled in the CAIA program, representing more than 70 countries and thousands of financial institutions. Members include fund managers and administrators, investment advisors, consultants, security analysts, lawyers, accountants and educators. The CAIA designation has quickly become the global hallmark of excellence in this rapidly growing field.
For more information about the CAIA program, exam enrollment, fees, dates and more, please visit: