SII Certificates

About the SII Certificates

The SII Certificate programme is a wide-ranging group of qualifications designed specifically to meet the requirements of individuals working in the securities and derivatives markets who need to obtain Financial Services Authority (FSA) Approved Person status. Delegates must ensure that they take the Certificate that is appropriate to the activity they are to undertake.

All the Certificates, apart from the Certificate in Corporate Finance, are based on Unit 1 - Financial Regulation or Unit 6 - Principles of Financial Regulation, so delegates can use the modular structure of the programme to expand their expertise by taking additional units.

Delegates interested in advising and dealing in securities should refer to the Certificate in Securities. The Certificate in Securities qualification comprises Unit 1 – Financial Regulation or Unit 6 Principles of Financial Regulation and Unit 2 – Securities.

Delegates interested in advising and dealing in securities and financial derivatives should refer to the Certificate in Securities and Financial Derivatives. The Certificate in Securities and Financial Derivatives qualification comprises Unit 1 – Financial Regulation or Unit 6 - Principles of Financial Regulation and Unit 4 – Securities and Financial Derivatives.

Candidates who hold the Certificate in Securities qualification and want to upgrade to the Certificate in Securities and Financial Derivatives should take Unit 7 - Financial Derivatives.

Candidates interested in advising and dealing in derivatives including commodity derivatives, should refer to the Certificate in Derivatives. The Certificate in Derivatives qualification comprises Unit 1 – Financial Regulation or Unit 6 - Principles of Financial Regulation and Unit 3 – Derivatives.

Candidates interested in managing investments should refer to the Certificate in Investment Management. The Certificate in Investment Management qualification comprises Unit 1 - Financial Regulation or Unit 6 - Principles of Financial Regulation and Unit 5 – Investment Management.

From 1st November 2007, employees advising or dealing in securities / derivatives on behalf of retail clients (which could include clients which have opted to be treated as retail clients under MiFID) will be subject to FSA’s T & C Sourcebook and the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) Appropriate Examination list.

One consequence of the FSSC’s exam standards for the activity of advising or dealing in securities / derivatives on behalf of retail clients is that, from 19 November, employees have to take an additional examination - Unit 8 Investment & Risk – meaning 3 examinations to qualify and a qualification specific for retail employees.

Added Flexibility

BPP’s new modular approach will give you the flexibility to choose how you want to fit your training around your work and life commitments. You can take each unit separately or maximise your knowledge in a condensed period of time by taking units of a qualification subsequently. The diagram above is an illustration of how you could schedule your training.

Paul Gainford - Head of SII Certificates training

"The SII Certificates Programme is ideal for individuals who are looking for or work in a front office position such as trading or investment advice. Holding a SII Certificate enables delegates to demonstrate that they have the knowledge to deal in and advise on investments that are used in the industry. Organisations who train their staff in the relevant SII Certificate not only meet the FSA’s Approved Person Status but they also benefit as staff better understand the products that the company deals in.”

In a nutshell …

"If I was a delegate I would sit the Certificates examinations because I can gain the knowledge needed for a front office role."