IT in Investment Operations

Module description

This module is intended for Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship students who would like an introduction to the role of technology in the financial services industry from the perspective of investment management. The module introduces the industry participants and financial instruments and describes the regulatory environment in which securities firms operate. Technology 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.

Full module specification

Module title:	IT in Investment Operations
Module code:	BEF1004DA
Module level:	1
Academic year:	2021/2
Module lecturers:	Mrs Cleofe Board - Convenor
Module credit:	20
ECTS value:	10
Pre-requisites:	None
Co-requisites:	None
Duration of module:	Duration (weeks) - term 3: 12

Module aims

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 Technology 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 technology 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 technology in investment management, together with the awareness of how these systems are supported, and how they fit within the wider business and the sector.

ILO: Module-specific skills

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 the impact on technology;
3. identify the functional flow of financial instruments;
4. describe the role of IT 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 IT department and technology 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

11. demonstrate proficiency in all required 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 technology planning and control in investment operations decisions.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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 process and multiple systems, as and when required;
15. apply awareness of individual, team and business dynamics to foster a supportive and collaborative environment.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
57	143	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	21 (3 days)	Masterclass/workshops
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	36	Online lectures, webinars and revision
Guided Independent Study	143	Reading and research, web-based activitiesd research, web-based activities

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed
Mock Exam	1-hour 50 MCQs	1-10
Online Discussion	Online discussion contributions	1-15
Weekly online quizzes and ELE tasks	Four quizzes, each taking about 20 minutes and ELE tasks such as completion of technical skills training and participation in forums	1-15

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	50	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Exam	50	1-hour 50 MCQs	1-10
Applied Exercise Assignment	50	2,000 words	1-15

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Exam (50%)	50 MCQs (1 hour, 50%)	1-10
Applied exercise Assignment (50%)	Applied Exercise Assignment (2,000 words, 50%)	1-15

Re-assessment notes

Defer – as first time

Refer – capped at 40%

Syllabus plan

Information Technology in the Securities Industry
The Regulatory Framework
Technology and the Functional Flow of Financial Instruments
The Role of Technology in the 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

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

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

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Origin date

28/02/2019

Last revision date

13/09/2021