Investment Funds in Canada

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Return to Course
Print Guideline
Course
FINC 2350
Discontinued
No
Course Code
FINC 2350
Descriptive
Investment Funds in Canada
Department
Finance
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
201330
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 Weeks X 4 Hours per Week = 60 Hours
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours
Lecture: 3 Hours Seminar: 1 Hour Total: 4 Hours
Learning Activities

Material will be presented within a lecture/discussion/application environment.  Students will be required to obtain prospectuses, offering memoranda, and other funds publications to be used in term projects and regular assignments.

Course Description
This course provides an introduction to understanding the regulatory environment in which mutual funds operate; specifically, the nature, type of mutual funds, financial analysis of varying product lines, differences in product attributes, and taxation implications.
Course Content

1.       Introduction to investing and investment funds.

 

2.       The organization and operation of mutual funds.

 

3.       Buying and selling mutual fund securities.

 

4.       Overview of mutual funds markets.

 

5.       Types of securities into which investment funds invest.

 

6.       Financial statement analysis.

 

7.       Risk/return trade-off.  Evaluation of risk and assessment of return.

 

8.       Methods of calculating and offering (buying) prices.

 

9.       Purchasers' legal and contractual rights.

 

10.    Share redemption and withdrawal plans.

 

11.    Management and other fees.

 

12.    Regulation and ethical behaviour.

 

13.    Life insurance.

 

14.    Sales practices.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course the candidate will be able to:

 

1.       Develop a sensitivity to the customer's objectives and ability to match financial need with the appropriate mutual product.

 

2.       Develop an awareness of investment funds constraints and regulations and ability to translate this knowledge into meaningful responses to an investor's questions.

 

3.       Demonstrate an understanding of the terminology, theory, and mechanics of investment fund operations.

 

4.       Explain how economic and market forces affect the value of a fund's shares.

 

5.       Discuss and be able to differentiate the differences, product attributes, fees, valuation methods amongst all the investment funds.

 

6.       Conduct a complete financial analysis, evaluation, comparison of mutual funds.

 

7.       Explain the organizational and operational set-up of mutual funds, fee structures, offering prices, mechanics of buying and selling.

 

8.       Be able to structure, analyze, compare auditors' reports on the performance of mutual funds, including a review of balance sheets, income statements, statements of changes in financial position.

Means of Assessment

Term examinations (2)                      40%

Term project                                     20%

Written assignments                          20%

Final examination                              20%

                                                      100%

Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

 

Walker, Peter.  Investment Funds in Canada, Latest Edition.  Montreal:  The Institute of Canadian Bankers.  Investment Funds in Canada Workbook.  Montreal:  The Institute of Canadian Bankers, Latest Edition.

 

Hirt, Geoffrey and Stanley Block.  Fundamentals of Investment Management, Latest Edition.  Chicago:  Irwin Publishing.

 

Available computer worksheet templates will be used in order to assess financial and fund performances.

Prerequisites

FINC 2210 and (ACCT 1210 or ACCT 1235) and BUSN 1330