Explore the Curriculum for Mutual Fund Foundation Certification
Curriculum
I. Investment Landscape
- Saving or Investments?
- Different Asset Classes
- Four broad financial needs
- Different types of financial goals
- Role of mutual funds in achieving different financial goals
II. Concept and Role of a Mutual Fund
- Concept of a Mutual fund
- Classification of Mutual Funds
- Growth of the mutual fund industry in India
III. Legal Structure of Mutual Funds in India
- Structure of Mutual Funds in India
- Key Constituents of a Mutual Fund
- Organization Structure of Asset Management Company
- Role and Support function of Service Providers
- Role and Function of AMFI
IV. Mutual Fund Products for the New Cadre of Distributors
- Introduction to Mutual Fund Products for New Cadre of Distributors
- Liquid Schemes / Money Market Schemes
- Index Funds
- Diversified Equity Schemes
- Retirement Benefit Schemes
- Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs)
V. Scheme Related Information
- Mandatory Documents
- Non-Mandatory Disclosures
VI. Fund Distribution and Channel Management Practices
- The role and importance of mutual fund distributors
- Different kinds of mutual fund distributors
- Modes of distribution
- Pre-requisites to become Distributor of a Mutual Fund
- Revenue for a mutual fund distributor
- Commission Disclosure mandated by SEBI
- Due Diligence Process by AMCs for Distributors of Mutual Funds
- Difference between distributors and Investment Advisors
- Nomination facilities to Agents/Distributors and Payment of Commission to Nominee
- Change of distributor
VII. Performance of Mutual Funds
- Calculation of returns of mutual fund schemes
- Concept of loads and application of exit load in calculating transaction price
- Concept of risk in a mutual fund investment
- Concept of risk-adjusted return
- Scheme Benchmarks for mutual fund schemes
VIII. Taxation
- Applicability of taxes in respect of mutual funds
- Capital Gains
- Dividend income (IDCW option)
- Stamp Duty on Mutual Fund Units
- Setting off of Capital Gains and Losses under Income Tax Act
- Securities Transaction Tax
- Tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act
- Tax Deducted at Source
- Applicability of GST
IX. Investor Services
- The NFO process
- New Fund Offer Price/On-going Offer Price for subscription
- Investment Plans and Services
- Allotment of Units to the Investor
- Account statements for investments
- Mutual Fund Investors
- Filling the Application Form for Mutual Funds
- Financial Transactions with Mutual Funds
- Cut-off Time and Time Stamping
- KYC Requirements for Mutual Fund Investors
- Systematic Transactions
- Operational aspects of Systematic Transactions
- Non-Financial Transactions in Mutual Funds
- Change in Status of Special Investor Categories
- Investor transactions – turnaround times
X. Legal and Regulatory Environment
- Role of Securities and Exchange Board of India
- Investor Grievance Redressal
- AMFI Code of Conduct for Intermediaries
- AMFI Code of Ethics
- AMFI’s Code of Conduct for Intermediaries of Mutual Funds