What is a Certified Fund Specialist?

The Institute of Business and Finance (IBF) issues a certificate to individuals with expertise in mutual funds who pass their certification exams. The professional holds the designation Certified Fund Specialist (CFS). 

CFS Test Outline

To obtain a CFS certification, applicants are required to pay a registration and tuition fee of $1,365 per applicant. Examination fee, materials, and textbooks fee are included in the fee charged. 

Before individuals sit for the CFS eam, they must have taken a six-module self-study program.

Here are the major areas in which individuals receive training:

• Mutual funds
• Tax laws
• Closed-end funds
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
• Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
• Fund selection and fund analysis
• Risk management
• Asset allocation
• Estate planning and investment.

The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and undertake 2,000 hours of financial services work experience. 

Those who can obtain the CFS certification include:

• Money managers
• Stock brokers
• Bankers Bank
• Managers
• Accountants
• Financial advisors and
• Financial planners