
QAS Self-Study

Overview

CPE Credits
20 Credits: Finance
Course Description
Financial markets represent the lifeblood of our global economy. These mechanisms promote greater economic efficiency by transferring funds from individuals, businesses, and governments with an excess of available funds to those with a shortage. Many financial markets have been in existence for hundreds of years; however, the modern era has brought along many new innovations such as securitization and the derivatives market.
Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Overview provides an introductory overview of the world’s largest financial markets, including the money, bond, stock, mortgage, foreign currency, and derivatives markets. This course reviews the various types of financial risk that impact these markets, as well as the economic variables that influence market activity (such as interest rates and monetary policy).
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Chapter 1
- Identify financial markets and the transactions that take place in them
- Cite how the efficient market hypothesis is used
- Identify the various types financial intermediaries
- Identify characteristics of capital and money markets
Chapter 2
- Identify how a bond’s yield-to-maturity impacts how it is traded
- Compare default risk, liquidity, and income tax considerations of different types of financial instruments
- Identify various yield curve shapes and the theories behind them
Chapter 3
- Cite the role that the Federal Reserve System in influencing interest rates and setting requirements and regulations
- Identify the tools used by the Fed to conduct its monetary policy and explain how they impact the U.S. money supply
- Identify how reserve deficiencies are calculated
Chapter 4
- Identify the characteristics of the money markets
- Identify the types of financial instruments that exist and transactions that occur in the money markets
- Calculate interest income and payments for money market transactions
Chapter 5
- Cite the primary characteristics the bond market
- Identify terms and provisions set by bond issuers
- Identify how bonds are rated
- Define and explain terms related to bonds such as rate, bid, ask, and repurchase
- Identify the unique attributes of Treasury, municipal, and corporate bonds
- Differentiate between common and preferred stock
- Differentiate between various stock markets and exchanges
Chapter 6
- Calculate equity in a mortgage loan
- Identify rules regarding mortgage insurance
- Identify the various types of mortgage loans and the roles of agents and financial institutions play in the mortgage-lending process
- Define default risk
- Define terms related to mortgage-backed securities
- Identify liquidity risk in various financial instruments
Chapter 7
- Identify the characteristics of and terminology used in foreign exchange markets
- Calculate direct and indirect foreign exchange quotes
- Identify how economic factors influence foreign exchange rates
- Define foreign exchange spot and forward contracts
- Calculate payments for foreign exchange spot and forward contracts
Chapter 8
- Define the various types of risk that impact financial markets
- Identify ways to mitigate risks associated with financial markets
- Identify instruments traded in derivatives markets
- Identify the characteristics of forwards, futures, swaps, and options
- Compare futures contracts and forward agreements
- Compare credit default swaps, currency swaps, interest rate swaps, and equity swaps
- Define terms related to option contracts
Course Specifics
Course ID 3121091 |
Revision Date September 12, 2022 |
Prerequisites There are no prerequisites. |
Advanced Preparation None |
Compliance information
CMA Notice: Western CPE makes every attempt to maintain our CMA CPE library, to ensure a course meets your continuing education requirements please visit Insitute of Management Accountants (IMA)
CFP Notice: Not all courses that qualify for CFP® credit are registered by Western CPE. If a course does not have a CFP registration number in the compliance section, the continuing education will need to be individually reported with the CFP Board. For more information on the reporting process, required documentation, processing fee, etc., contact the CFP Board. CFP Professionals must take each course in it’s entirety, the CFP Board DOES NOT accept partial credits for courses.
Course Instructor

Michael J. Walker, CPA, is based in New England and has decades of accounting experience in the financial services, information technology services, and construction industries. He has an extensive technical accounting background that includes hands-on experience with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). His expertise includes accounting for financial instruments, securitizations, and other banking products. He graduated from Bentley University with a BS in finance and an MS in accountancy.
Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Overview
$400.00 – $440.00

QAS Self-Study

Overview

CPE Credits
20 Credits: Finance
Course Description
Financial markets represent the lifeblood of our global economy. These mechanisms promote greater economic efficiency by transferring funds from individuals, businesses, and governments with an excess of available funds to those with a shortage. Many financial markets have been in existence for hundreds of years; however, the modern era has brought along many new innovations such as securitization and the derivatives market.
Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Overview provides an introductory overview of the world’s largest financial markets, including the money, bond, stock, mortgage, foreign currency, and derivatives markets. This course reviews the various types of financial risk that impact these markets, as well as the economic variables that influence market activity (such as interest rates and monetary policy).
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Chapter 1
- Identify financial markets and the transactions that take place in them
- Cite how the efficient market hypothesis is used
- Identify the various types financial intermediaries
- Identify characteristics of capital and money markets
Chapter 2
- Identify how a bond’s yield-to-maturity impacts how it is traded
- Compare default risk, liquidity, and income tax considerations of different types of financial instruments
- Identify various yield curve shapes and the theories behind them
Chapter 3
- Cite the role that the Federal Reserve System in influencing interest rates and setting requirements and regulations
- Identify the tools used by the Fed to conduct its monetary policy and explain how they impact the U.S. money supply
- Identify how reserve deficiencies are calculated
Chapter 4
- Identify the characteristics of the money markets
- Identify the types of financial instruments that exist and transactions that occur in the money markets
- Calculate interest income and payments for money market transactions
Chapter 5
- Cite the primary characteristics the bond market
- Identify terms and provisions set by bond issuers
- Identify how bonds are rated
- Define and explain terms related to bonds such as rate, bid, ask, and repurchase
- Identify the unique attributes of Treasury, municipal, and corporate bonds
- Differentiate between common and preferred stock
- Differentiate between various stock markets and exchanges
Chapter 6
- Calculate equity in a mortgage loan
- Identify rules regarding mortgage insurance
- Identify the various types of mortgage loans and the roles of agents and financial institutions play in the mortgage-lending process
- Define default risk
- Define terms related to mortgage-backed securities
- Identify liquidity risk in various financial instruments
Chapter 7
- Identify the characteristics of and terminology used in foreign exchange markets
- Calculate direct and indirect foreign exchange quotes
- Identify how economic factors influence foreign exchange rates
- Define foreign exchange spot and forward contracts
- Calculate payments for foreign exchange spot and forward contracts
Chapter 8
- Define the various types of risk that impact financial markets
- Identify ways to mitigate risks associated with financial markets
- Identify instruments traded in derivatives markets
- Identify the characteristics of forwards, futures, swaps, and options
- Compare futures contracts and forward agreements
- Compare credit default swaps, currency swaps, interest rate swaps, and equity swaps
- Define terms related to option contracts
Course Specifics
Course ID 3121091 |
Revision Date September 12, 2022 |
Prerequisites There are no prerequisites. |
Advanced Preparation None |
Compliance information
CMA Notice: Western CPE makes every attempt to maintain our CMA CPE library, to ensure a course meets your continuing education requirements please visit Insitute of Management Accountants (IMA)
CFP Notice: Not all courses that qualify for CFP® credit are registered by Western CPE. If a course does not have a CFP registration number in the compliance section, the continuing education will need to be individually reported with the CFP Board. For more information on the reporting process, required documentation, processing fee, etc., contact the CFP Board. CFP Professionals must take each course in it’s entirety, the CFP Board DOES NOT accept partial credits for courses.
Course Instructor

Michael J. Walker, CPA, is based in New England and has decades of accounting experience in the financial services, information technology services, and construction industries. He has an extensive technical accounting background that includes hands-on experience with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). His expertise includes accounting for financial instruments, securitizations, and other banking products. He graduated from Bentley University with a BS in finance and an MS in accountancy.
Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Overview
$400.00 – $440.00