Course Outline

School: Business

Department: Business Management

Course Title: Canadian Investment Funds

Course Code: FINA 110

Course Hours/Credits: 42

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Eligible for Prior Learning, Yes

Assessment and Recognition:

Originated by: Thomas Barker

Creation Date: Fall 2014

Revised by: Thomas Barker

Revision Date: Winter 2015

Current Semester: Summer 2015

Approved by:

Chairperson/Dean

Students are expected to review and understand all areas of the course outline.

Retain this course outline for future transfer credit applications. A fee may be charged for
additional copies.

This course outline is available in alternative formats upon request.

FINA 110 CENTENNIAL COLLEGE Canadian Investment Funds

Course Description
The course provides an overview of subject matter essential for the individual who requires general
knowledge of the mutual fund industry and related topics. The individual may want to become a
professional in the mutual funds industry or simply want to expand their knowledge of mutual funds for
personal interest. Specific topics include: (1) the duties and obligations of a mutual fund salesperson and
the regulations that govern salespersons activities, (2) an overview of the economic and investment
framework in which the mutual fund industry operates, (3) the structure of the mutual fund industry in
Canada, and the administration of mutual fund organizations, (4) the investment activities of mutual funds,
(5) the Canadian income tax system, especially the taxation of investment income, and (6) an overview of
pensions and retirement savings.

Program Outcomes
Successful completion of this and other courses in the program culminates in the achievement of the
Vocational Learning Outcomes (program outcomes) set by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and
Universities in the Program Standard. The VLOs express the learning a student must reliably demonstrate
before graduation. To ensure a meaningful learning experience and to better understand how this course
and program prepare graduates for success, students are encouraged to review the Program Standard by
visiting http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/pepg/audiences/colleges/progstan/. For apprenticeship-based programs,
visit http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/training-standards.

Course Learning Outcomes

The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to:
1. Define and explain the duties and obligations of a mutual fund salesperson and
of the regulations that govern their activities.
2. Analyze the economic and investment framework in which the mutual fund
industry operates.
3. Describe and explain the structure of the mutual fund industry in Canada and the
administration of mutual fund organizations.
4. Characterize the investment activities of mutual funds.
5. Interpret the fundamentals of the Canadian tax system and define the rules
pertaining to the taxation of investment income.
6. Define the principles and administrative rules regarding government-sponsored
retirement programs, employer-sponsored registered pension plans, Deferred
Profit Sharing Plans, Registered Education Savings Plans, Registered
Retirement Savings Plans, Registered Retirement Income Funds, annuities and
other ways Canadians can finance retirement.
7. Prepare analysis and make recommendations based on case studies related to
mutual funds

Essential Employability Skills (EES)

The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to*:
4. Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
5. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
7. Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

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FINA 110 CENTENNIAL COLLEGE Canadian Investment Funds

10. Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
11. Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.
*There are 11 Essential Employability Skills outcomes as per the Ministry Program Standard. Of these 11 outcomes, the following will be
assessed in this course.

Global Citizenship and Equity (GC&E) Outcomes

N/A

Methods of Instruction
Course delivery methods include lectures, discussions, problem solving, assignments
and case studies.

Text and other Instructional/Learning Materials

Text Book(s):
Course material is available after registering and paying for the course through the www.ifse.ca web
portal. Instructions for registering and paying for the course on-line will be provided at the beginning of the
course.

Once the student has successfully registered and paid for the course, access will be given to on-line
course material. The student must also obtain course material in hard copy to facilitate classroom
references and discussion. Hard-copy material can be obtained in either of 2 ways: (1) by personally
printing the material from the www.ifse.ca web portal, or (2) paying an extra
$30 and receiving a bound copy of course material. The second method is
recommended, but is not obligatory.
Online Resource(s):
Course material is available through the www.ifse.ca web portal

Classroom and Equipment Requirements

This course is designed and approved by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC). Content is
offered through the www.ifse.ca web portal.

Access to a computer with an Internet connection is mandatory. Hard-copy course material is also
available. The www.ifse.ca web portal is operated by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada and the
Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP). Students must register for the course at Centennial
College and with IFIC. Centennial College registration will be done following normal procedures.
Registration with IFIC will be done on-line. The course will have 2 grading schemes: (1) for Centennial
College, and (2) for IFIC. Successful
completion of this course, including a passing grade on the IFIC final exam, may lead to eligibility to apply
for registration to sell mutual funds.

Evaluation Scheme

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FINA 110 CENTENNIAL COLLEGE Canadian Investment Funds

➮ On-line Post-Lecture Quizzes: A series of questions designed to reinforce each chapter's content.
➮ Assignment: Assignment and/or mini-case based on the mutual fund industry, client management,
ethics and fund operations
➮ Test 1: Multiple choice and open-ended questions based on units 1-4.
➮ Test 2: Multiple choice and open-ended questions based on units 5-8
➮ Presentation and/or quiz and/or assignment and/or discussion board: presentation and/or quiz
and/or assignment and/or discussion board
➮ Industry Exam: Industry Exam / IFIC Exam (All units)
Evaluation Name CLO(s) EES GCE Weight/100
Outcome(s) Outcome(s)
On-line Post-Lecture Quizzes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 4, 5 15
Assignment 2, 7 4, 5, 7, 10, 10
11
Test 1 1, 2, 3 4, 5 15
Test 2 4, 5, 6 4, 5 20
Presentation and/or quiz and/or assignment and/or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 5, 7, 10, 10
discussion board 6, 7 11
Industry Exam 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 4, 5 30
Total 100%
If students are unable to write a test they should immediately contact their professor or program Chair for
advice. In exceptional and well documented circumstances (e.g. unforeseen family problems, serious
illness, or death of a close family member), students may be able to write a make-up test.

All submitted work may be reviewed for authenticity and originality utilizing Turnitin®. Students who do not
wish to have their work submitted to Turnitin® must, by the end of the second week of class,
communicate this in writing to the instructor and make mutually agreeable alternate arrangements.

When writing tests, students must be able to produce official College photo identification or they may be
refused the right to take the test or test results will be void.

Student Accommodation
It is College Policy to provide accommodation based on grounds defined in the Ontario Human Rights
Code. Accommodation may include modifications to standard practices. Students with disabilities who
require academic accommodations must register with the Centre for Students with Disabilities. Students
requiring accommodation based on other human rights grounds should talk with their professors as early
as possible. Please see the Student Accommodation Policy.

Use of Dictionaries
• English-Additional Language (e.g. English-Chinese) or Additional Language-English (e.g. Russian-
English) dictionaries may be used in regular class work.

Program or School Policies

N/A

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FINA 110 CENTENNIAL COLLEGE Canadian Investment Funds

Course Policies
N/A

College Policies
Students should familiarize themselves with all College Policies that cover academic matters and student
conduct.

All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from
discrimination and harassment and promotes respect and equity. Centennial policies ensure all incidents
of harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence will be addressed and responded to accordingly.

Academic honesty is integral to the learning process and a necessary ingredient of academic integrity.
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and impersonation. All of these occur when the work
of others is presented by a student as their own and/or without citing sources of information. Breaches of
academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment/course, suspension or expulsion from
the college.

For more information on these and other policies, please visit www.centennialcollege.ca/about-
centennial/college-overview/college-policies.

Students enrolled in a joint or collaborative program are subject to the partner institution's academic
policies.

PLAR Process
This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). PLAR is a process by
which course credit may be granted for past learning acquired through work or other life experiences. The
PLAR process involves completing an assessment (portfolio, test, assignment, etc.) that reliably
demonstrates achievement of the course learning outcomes. Contact the academic school to obtain
information on the PLAR process and the required assessment.

This course outline and its associated weekly topical(s) may not be reproduced, in whole or in
part, without the prior permission of Centennial College.

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FINA 110 CENTENNIAL COLLEGE Canadian Investment Funds

Topical Outline (subject to change):

Week Topics Readings/Materials Weekly Learning Outcome(s) Instructional Strategies Evaluation Evaluation
Name Date
1 Regulatory Unit 1 Describe the different roles of regulators in Lecture & discussion
Environment the Financial Services Industry.
2 Registrant Unit 2 Characterize duties and responsibilities of Lecture & discussion.
Responsibilities participants in marketing and managing
mutual funds.
3 Suitability Unit 3 Classify clients by risk tolerance to facilitate Lecture & discussion
matching suitable product solutions.
4 Economic Factors and Unit 4 Frame investment opportunities and Lecture & discussion Assignment 1
Financial Markets challenges as a function of the global 3.3%
economy.
5 Test 1 Units 1 to 4 Review and reinforce units 1 to 4. Written examination. Test 1
22.5%
6 Types of Investments Unit 5 Determine characteristics and advantages of Lecture & discussion
various investment instruments including
stocks and bonds.
7 Types of Mutual Unit 6 Classify the different fund types and Lecture & discussion
Funds understand the risk-return profile
8 Portfolio Management Unit 7 Describe the principles of diversification and Lecture & discussion Assignment 2
how to manage risk 3.3%
9 Mutual Fund Unit 8 Indicate the elements of mutual fund Lecture & discussion
Administration administration and understand cost
implications
10 Test 2 Units 5 to 8 Reinforce concepts introduced through units 5 Written test Test 2
to 8 22.5%
11 Retirement Unit 9 Explain the situation facing retirees and link Lecture & discussion Assignment 3
their needs to different fund solutions 3.4%
12 Taxation Unit 10 Figure out how taxes affect different fund Lecture and discussion Online quizzes
transactions and ultimately, how much money 15%
the investor keeps after taxes
13 Making Unit 11 Consolidate all learning to make effective & Lecture & discussion
Recommendations ethical recommendations
14 Industry Exam All units, handouts and Integrate course learning in final (industry) Written exam Industry Exam
readings exam 30%

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