Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts, Nigeria (Member: Association of International Financial and Investment Analysts.) is a professional and examination body for Financial/Investment experts. The institute is positioned as catalyst and strategic change agent in financial and investment analysis, to educate, promote, teach the Art and Science of Finance and Investment, also to serve as consultant, adviser, analyzing financial and investment issues, giving expert advice where/when necessary.

Legality

The Institute is recognized by law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (Bill HB 295 fully passed at the 7^th assembly, recommitted to 8^th assembly for further legislative action) and other statutory Institutions regulating the formation of the alike Institutions. Therefore, CIFIAN enjoys every right, privileges and legal backing.

Membership: – Membership of the Institute is offered to applicant who must be a graduate at HND, B.Sc, Professional qualification or its equivalents with fulfillment of practical experiences, shall be admitted in a manner recognized / approved by the council.

These categories of membership includes: Affiliate, Associate, Full member and Fellow, (AF.FIA),(A.CFIA), (M.CFIA), (F.CFIA) respectively.

Mandatory Training /Seminar

The constitution of CIFIAN provides that membership can only be sustained and promoted through attendance of regular workshops, conferences and seminars organized under the auspices of the unit of the Institute. This aimed at constantly improving / updating members’ professional skills and latest development in the practice of Financial and Investment.

Annual Subscription: Section 34 (CIFIAN Bill) states conditions whereby membership could be sustained or delisted, it is an offence for any member not to pay up or delay in payment of his or her subscription fees.

Globalization of the Institute

The Institute is relevant globally, with presence and affiliations in the Northern America-Canada, USA and Norway. Consultation is ongoing to create enabling platform for members to practice globally.

Foreign affiliations:

1. Certified Institute of Funds & Investment Professionals, South-Africa
2. Chartered Institute of Trade & Investment Experts, South-Africa
3. Chartered Institute of Financial & Investment Analysts, Ghana
4. Norwegian –African Business Association

 Our Ideology

MISSION

Our Mission is to S-T-O-C-K

Strive Technically and Operationally to Contribute to Knowledge and Society.

VISION

Our Vision is B-O-N-D

Becoming an Organ Of National Development

ANALYSTS PROFESSION

Survival of every nation’s economy depends on the qualitative policies on finance and sound projected decision on investment, Analyst profession is the bedrock, it is pivotal to national economic development. The practice of this noble profession is a panacea to national, regional and global economic problems.

The  Profession

Is distinct from Accounting, Economics, Stock dealers, brokers or Security managers etc, Financial and Investment Analysts conduct technical and critical analysis on company balance sheets, analyze economic indices, analyze policies, financial information, income statements, evaluate market trends, determine market values, run spreadsheets, handle trades, generate newsletters, research, make investment proposals based on their researches and generate strategic reports.

It requires an outstanding technical knowledge to evaluate critical investment trends, financial factors, investment issues, appraise, research and critic environmental issues before taken decision. These are core areas of financial and investment profession which other profession are at disadvantage in handling i.e Auditors and Accountants having checked books of accounts, in the end often make referrals to their clients to further consult Financial/investment Analysts for proper interpretations of financial /investment ratios.

DUTIES OF FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT ANALYSTS:

1. Analysts are to examine company’s balance sheets and income statements prepared by accountants, evaluate market trends, determine market values and make investment proposals based on their research.
2. Identifying appropriate financial and strategic buyers and executing and managing due diligence. Analyze and research financial information, historical financial statements, industries and companies. Draft transaction documents and proposal materials.
3. The analyst examines all aspects of the current and forecast financials of public/private companies. These examinations should cover all pertinent publicly available information about the company and its business. These includes but not limited to: Financial Statements, analysis of financial ratios, research on the industry, production sector and public statements, chairman statement, interview by executive of the company, its customers and suppliers.
4. Drafting client’s pitch and presentation materials and aiding in financial transactions of all varieties (LBO, debt capital, equity, acquisitions and mergers).An investment analyst undertakes research to provide ideas and information to fund managers. The information analysts provide enables fund managers to make decisions relating to the investment portfolios they manage.
5. Some analysts work for investment management companies, providing information to in-house fund managers; others work for stockbrokers and investment banks, where their research assists their employer’s clients (usually fund managers).
6. Considering the economic and political stability of different countries, plus other factors like extreme weather, natural disasters and war and conflict, and how they may affect financial  and investment markets .
7. Examining how factors such as oil prices or currency exchange rates can affect a company’s value in the global and local economies, predicting whether individual share prices will move up or down reading detailed reports, visiting companies and speaking to management teams.
8. An analyst may have a set of companies to research and get to know in depth in order to make informed recommendations to fund managers. These are usually companies in a specific industrial sector, such as retail, pharmaceuticals, or utilities, or in a specific geographical area.
9. Researching and analyzing financial information relating to specific companies, e.g., a new set of accounts, profit and loss and cash flow statements; conducting regular meetings with the management of the companies, sometimes at their premises, e.g., to discuss issues arising from the accounts;
10. Keeping up to date with market developments, new investment products and all other areas that can affect the markets, e.g., movements in the economies of relevant countries; considering how the economic implications of factors such as natural disasters, weather, wars, etc., might affect the performance of companies and funds;
11. Monitoring the financial news using specialist media sources; producing summaries of research for fund managers; making presentations and recommendations as to which funds should be included in portfolios, and meeting regularly with fund managers.

 Motto:

Becoming an Organ of National Development