Program Overview

Financial Markets Certificate

The Financial Markets Certificate is a benchmark industry-based qualification provided in partnership with the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA). This course is designed for financial markets professionals who require accreditation and either want to learn more about finance or are interested in pursuing more senior roles. It is also suitable for individuals who do not work directly in finance but who require financial markets knowledge and skills.

Program Overview

The Financial Markets Certificate is a part-time, online program that consists of six units, including three core units and three elective units. The program can be completed in 8 months, or 4-6 months with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Key Details

• Part-time
• Online
• 6 weeks (per unit)
• 8 months (complete program)
• 4–6 months (with RPL)
• Tuition fees:
  • AFMA member firms: $1515 (per unit), $6060 (complete program)
  • General public: $1695 (per unit), $6780 (complete program)
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) costs:
  • AFMA member firms: $756 (per unit)
  • General public: $847 (per unit)

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:

• Critically assess the functions of financial markets and their environments to evaluate the implications for all relevant stakeholders
• Analyse financial market products, their relevance, and how to execute transactions in accordance with relevant regulation and within a risk management framework
• Evaluate ethical issues and develop relevant actions using the AFMA ethical decision-making framework
• Apply skills in a specified product area, selected from debt, energy, or foreign exchange
• Interact appropriately with clients and colleagues by using effective communication skills

Program Structure

The program consists of six units, including three core units and three elective units. The core units are:

Core Modules

1. Financial Markets Concepts: This unit provides a broad overview of the Australian 'over-the-counter' and exchange-traded financial markets. It introduces financial market sectors, participants, and the economic environment.
2. Financial Markets Transactions: This unit provides an overview of the financial products traded in financial markets. Participants will identify the underlying key features of products, who uses them, and how and why they are used.
3. Risk Management Principles: This unit examines the risk landscape of financial markets in Australia and the principles that influence how this risk is managed.

The elective units are:

Elective Units

1. Debt Markets: This unit provides the foundational knowledge and skills required to work effectively in debt financial markets, within both regulatory and organisational requirements.
2. Energy Financial Markets: This unit examines Australian power markets and describes the establishment and development of the national physical electricity market in Australia.
3. Foreign Exchange Markets: This unit provides participants with a core framework of knowledge of the functioning of the foreign exchange (FX) market, the fundamental trading, advising, and risk management skills.

Assessment

Unit content is available on a custom-built online learning platform. Assessments include:

• Online quizzes
• Online participation
• Short answer questions/exercises
• A report/case study

An ethics component is incorporated into the core units Financial Markets Transactions and Risk Management Principles, as well as each of the elective units.

Pathway to AFMA Accreditation

Participants from AFMA member firms who successfully complete the Financial Markets Certificate will satisfy the education precondition for AFMA accreditation. The next step is to contact AFMA and apply for AFMA Accredited Status (member firm endorsement required).

Pathway to Macquarie Postgraduate Studies

The Financial Markets Certificate program provides partial credit toward the Graduate Certificate of Finance and, by extension, the Master of Applied Finance. Each successfully completed unit is worth five credit points (cp), which means participants will earn 20cp overall for the certificate.

Term Dates

The program has six terms per year, and each unit involves compulsory events, including a live online welcome session and a live online workshop. If a participant is unable to attend a welcome session or mandatory workshop, they will need to transfer to the next available term. Transfer fees will apply.