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 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 securities 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.

Full module specification

Module aims

This module aims to provide students with a broad understanding on the fundamentals of information technology (IT) 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.

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 IT
• 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 IT on financial control
• 6. Distinguish the key roles and responsibilities within the IT 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 IT services procurement process

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 11. Demonstrate proficiency in all required IT 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

• 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)

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%

Syllabus plan

• Information Technology in the Securities Industry
• The Regulatory Framework
• IT and the Functional Flow of Financial Instruments
• The Role of IT in the Front Office
• The Role of IT in the Pre-Settlement Phase
• The Role of IT in the Settlement and Post-Settlement Phases
• The impact of IT on Financial Control
• IT Management
• Managing Business Change
• IT Services Procurement

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• IT in Investment Operations (Investment Operations Certificate) Workbook Ed9, the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Origin date

28/02/2019

Last revision date

15/03/2019