Instead of a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or other academically intensive program, there are other ways to enter the intensive arena of financial planning. Especially if one is interested in Hedge Funds, which are all the rage these days due to their high rates of returns compared to individual stocks. The course is a way to study the subject and industry without having to worry about the other areas of finance that may not be relevant when it comes to hedge funds. It is a fast track approach into the business.

What Are the Requirements to Be a Certified Hedge Fund Professional?

To be a certified hedge fund professional it takes a certain level of commitment and attention to detail. Broadly, hedge funds fall under the discipline of finance. Being in the finance industry there are numerous technical areas that require fluency and many areas require string foundation in the regulatory environment. The financial industry is one that is highly structured and strictly regulated. To be a part of the structured environment, it requires a person who is strong at understanding how the legal framework works. There is no formal requirement, but this area would be helpful. Another area that would be helpful in attaining the CHP certification is the knowledge of financial math. Understanding how present value calculations work and how to decipher financial statements would be a definite plus.

What Are the Necessary Courses One Needs to Pass to Be Certified?

To successfully navigate the certified Hedge Fund Professional course, candidates need to pass through two stages. The first stage includes courses that cover the introduction, the nature of funds, strategies, due diligence, portfolio analytics, and finally trends. Upon successful completion of this stage, an exam is issued and the second stage commences. In the second stage, candidates are allowed to choose between three areas of concentration of Due Diligence, Marketing, and Portfolio Analytics. Depending on the choice they make, a new set of material is then forwarded and candidates then prepare for the second exam.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Certified Hedge Fund Professional?

As a Certified Hedge Fund Professional, members carry a huge responsibility to advice investors of the various investment grade hedge funds in the market. They will be promoting funds that they work for and they need to be able to understand the details of the fund as well as the risks involved. In finance, it is important to understand the downside of an investment structure, just as much as looking at the profit potential. It is the Hedge Fund Professional’s job to clearly articulate the risk and to understand what the risk appetite of the investor is. There are also different tracks in the certification that will lead to other jobs.

What Kind of Jobs Do Certified Hedge Fund Professionals Get?

There are three areas within the hedge fund industry that Professionals can get work. They can either work in marketing, this is where they meet with customers and are involved in the selling aspect of the various funds. This is an exciting part of the business is people, then this is one way you are going to have a great way to meet people and make some money. The other aspect of this job is running due diligence. This is a very detailed job and requires someone who inherently is a very meticulous position when it comes to numbers and details. The last area that a Professional could work is in portfolio analysis. Here is where they analyze the various portfolios. This job could be with a hedge fund manager, or with a marketing department, but it could also be with an investment firm looking to buy hedge funds.

Are There Online Courses for Certification Programs?