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Technology in Investment Management

Module description

This module is intended for Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship students who would like an introduction to the role of information technology (IT) in the financial services industry from the perspective of investment operations. The module introduces the industry participants and financial instruments and describes the regulatory environment in which investment management firms operate. IT management issues are discussed, covering the management of day-to-day operations, the management of business change, the selection of suppliers of new applications and the impact of outsourcing and offshoring.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide students with a broad understanding on the fundamentals of  Technology in the financial services industry. The module introduces a background to the functional flow of financial instruments, the role of IT in different stages of investment operation process, the impact of IT on financial control, and the scope of financial services regulatory framework the UK.

This module shows how an understanding of the roles and responsibilities within the IT department can be provided to support an organisation’s management, planning, control and governance in investment operations process. The overall aim is to give an introduction to IT in investment operations, together with the awareness of how these systems are supported, and how they fit within the wider business and the sector.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe the role of the financial intermediaries within the financial services industry
• 2. Understand the function of authority regulators in the financial services industry and major technology implications
• 3. Identify the functional flow of financial instruments
• 4. Describe the role of technology in the front office and different settlement stages
• 5. Appraise the impact of technology on financial control
• 6. Distinguish the key roles and responsibilities within the technology department and IT governance
• 7. Appraise the importance of project planning, control and governance
• 8. Identify the key stages of a software development life cycle, different software development methodologies and technology delivery
• 9. Recognise the need for testing, the impact of disruptive innovation and its importance to quality assurance
• 10. Understand the technology services procurement process

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 11. Demonstrate proficiency in all required IT and technology skills, regulatory and market systems and processes, and how they support the wider business
• 12. With guidance identify, synthesise, analyse and present appropriate information to assist management with IT planning and control in investment operation decisions

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 13. Demonstrate capability of performing specialised tasks which may be complex and/or non-routine, according to the specific needs of the business nature
• 14. Demonstrate ability to handle complex processes and multiple IT systems, as and when required
• 15. Apply awareness of individual, team and business dynamics to foster a supportive and collaborative environment

Syllabus plan

• Technology in Investment Management
• The Regulatory Framework
• Technology and the Functional Flow of Financial Instruments
• The Role of Technology in Trade Capture
• The Role of Technology in the Pre-Settlement Phase
• The Role of Technology in the Settlement and Post-Settlement Phases
• The impact of Technology on Financial Control
• Technology Management
• Managing Business Change
• Technology Services Procurement

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Defer – as first time

Refer – capped at 40%

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Technology in Investment Management (Investment Operations Certificate) Workbook Ed10, the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Key words search

Information Technology, Investment Management.