Investment Administration Qualification

Case studies

• Kellie Milne - Standard Life Investments (Edinburgh)
• Will Heywood - Pershing Ltd

Kellie Milne - Standard Life Investments

Kellie Milne is an Operations Graduate Trainee with Standard Life Investments in Edinburgh, Scotland. She completed the IAQ™ as part of Standard Life Investments’ Operations Graduate Training Programme and was an Award Winner in the Introduction to Securities & Investment category at the 2008 SII Scottish Summer Reception and Awards.

The operations graduate training programme is devised specifically to develop future operations managers with the broad ranging skills and experience needed to succeed in a sophisticated investments arena. It lasts two years and entails a series of placements in the key business areas of Investment Operations. Emphasis is placed on practical training with first hand experience of delivering superior performance, profit targets and developing business solutions to respond to a diverse array of challenges whilst learning how to manage people and processes. Professional and managerial development is the goal of this programme and various qualifications including the Investment Administration Qualification (IAQ) and Investment Management Course (IMC) are mandatory undertakings.

About the course tutors
“The course tutors have an uncanny knack of making a relatively dry subject such as Investment Regulations interesting and enjoyable. They are friendly and approachable, making you feel totally comfortable with asking questions and requesting further clarification of any issues. A big help was that the tutors sit the exams too, so they appreciate the quirks of the papers and foibles of the examiners, pointing out sticky subjects that could trip you up and topics which are consistently addressed. Due to work commitments, I was unable to attend a course for one of the exams I sat recently and tellingly, felt significantly less confident and prepared without the advice and support offered on the course by the tutors.”

About the study materials
“The study materials have proven invaluable; the sheer range of materials and ways to learn are great to combat ‘study fatigue’! I find ploughing through the books tough going at the end of a working day, so appreciate the option of going online and downloading MP3 versions of the tutorials or sitting and reading the workbook whilst a tutor talks you through the important points, which really helps you to concentrate. For pre-exam cramming where every minute counts, iPod downloads make bus journeys or the walk to work into useful revision time too. The practice exams that are provided in booklet form help to provide reassurance that the exam won’t be an entirely unexpected experience, but the option of undertaking questions from a seemingly endless online bank (chapter-by-chapter) really drills home areas that need work or further clarity. There are also simple tools such as a glossary of commonly used terms online, which I have referred to for the purposes of both study and clarification of terms used in a business context. Having not picked up a calculator for ten years, the online modules which go back to the basics of financial maths came in really handy!”

About Customer Services
“I was amazed by the services available – not sure that many other organisations would answer email queries at the weekend or be available for last minute panic cramming questions at 10pm on a Sunday before the exam the next day, but that’s exactly what the tutors make themselves available to do! A tutor can be contacted by phone or email at any time and guarantee to get back to you promptly to resolve problems or explain any perplexing subjects; alternatively the customer service team can respond to queries within office hours.”

About the training in relation to her current role
“The qualifications I have gained by studying with BPP have served to furnish me with essential knowledge of the investment industry. So often in a working environment, time is spent bring a trainee up to speed with the detail of a project or issue and it is all too easy to forget that even the most basic knowledge has to also be taught. Without the courses and exams, the vacant expression I wore in early business meetings could have lasted much longer!”

Would you recommend BPP to your colleagues/friends?
“I would certainly recommend BPP to colleagues in my organisation. They have played a pivotal role during my introduction to the financial services, providing a thorough and exceptional service to help me on my path to career success.”

Will Heywood – Pershing Ltd

Will Heywood is a CREST Settlement Clerk at Pershing Ltd. When he started the IAQ™ he was working in CREST Checking, however by the time he sat the final exam he had moved onto CREST settlement. Although his work gave him good exposure to various areas of the industry he felt that there were too many gaps in his knowledge and the IAQ would help him fill those gaps.

About the course structure

“I found the course to be structured very well for the first exam (Introduction to Securities and Investments) laying a good foundation which was built upon with the next two exams. Allowing students to specialise for the final exam enabled me to focus on an area very relevant for my day to day job.”

About the course tutors

“For all three units I found the tutors to be very knowledgeable and engaging which meant not only was I able to learn a great deal, but I also had a good time doing it! There was plenty of time to ask questions and share ideas, which created a great atmosphere in which to learn.”

About the study materials

“The study materials I received were excellent in preparing me for the exams. The study books break the course down into clear and concise chapters with plenty of hints and tips for passing the exam. The course slides I found to be the most helpful as they broke each chapter down into even smaller chunks – very revision friendly!”

About the training in relation to his current role

“Training for this qualification has definitely helped me in my current role, it has improved my knowledge greatly, both in the industry in general and more specifically with my current job. This knowledge translates directly into a better service for our clients and has improved my confidence in dealing with the many queries we get and generally my enjoyment of the job.”

Would you recommend BPP to your colleagues and friends?

“I would definitely recommend BPP to my colleagues and friends.”