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Forty-Eight Percent of CIPM Candidates Pass Expert Exam

 

Charlottesville, Va., June 11, 2009 − CFA Institute today announced that 48 percent of the Expert level candidates in the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) program passed the exam and will be entitled to use the CIPM designation upon satisfying an experience requirement.

A total of 171 candidates in 22 countries sat for the three-hour, computer-based Expert exam, which was administered during March−April 2009.

The CIPM program is designed to test candidates’ mastery of a specialized curriculum in the areas of ethics, performance evaluation, and application of the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS^®). Certification recognizes a practitioner’s proficiency in applying analytical techniques and preparing GIPS-compliant presentations, which guide investment firms in fairly representing and fully disclosing performance results. The CIPM self-study program trains performance analysts, client relationship managers, investment consultants, GIPS verifiers, compliance officers, regulators, and software developers, among others, to meet industry needs for well-qualified, ethically grounded investment performance professionals.

“Performance analysis provides valuable feedback to investment firms about their strategies and decision processes, and performance reporting informs investors about their portfolio results,” said Philip Lawton, CFA, CIPM, head of the CIPM program. “Accordingly, well-trained investment performance practitioners are crucially important to effective firm management and sound client relations. By passing the CIPM exam at the Expert level, these professionals have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in this specialized field.”

 

In addition, 40 percent of the candidates enrolled in the Principles level of the CIPM program passed the exam they took in the March−April window. A total of 262 candidates in 28 countries sat for the three-hour, computer-based Principles exam.

Candidates who pass the Principles exam are eligible to enroll in the Expert level of the program. Both exams cover professional ethics; investment performance measurement, attribution, and appraisal; and the GIPS standards.

“Performance measurement has become a unique niche in the investment industry and I feel that the CIPM designation further defines that niche,” said Tricia Nelson, CIPM, supervisor of performance analysis at Waddell & Reed, which provides investment management and financial planning services to clients throughout the United States. “The certification program was a great move by CFA Institute and I feel it has proven to be a success in a few short years. I was excited to be one of the first candidates when the program opened and enthusiastically add my support to all who are interested in pursuing the designation.”

 

Nelson added that she “witnessed firsthand the benefits the CIPM designation can bring. I recently underwent a job search and having the CIPM definitely contributed to my credibility as an investment performance professional. The designation was recognized and respected by all employers with whom I interviewed.”

 

Enrollment for both levels in the September–October 2009 examination window remains open through July 31, 2009.

The CIPM curriculum is offered online and examinations are administered during two periods each year at test centers worldwide.

Find information about the CIPM program, including certification requirements. Questions may be directed to cipm@cfainstitute.org.

 

CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association for investment professionals. It administers the CFA and CIPM curriculum and exam programs worldwide; publishes research; conducts professional development programs; and sets voluntary, ethics-based professional and performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Institute has nearly 100,000 members, who include the world’s 84,000 CFA charterholders, in 133 countries and territories, as well as 136 affiliated professional societies in 57 countries and territories. More information may be found at www.cfainstitute.org.