See how to apply for the Accredited Funds Professional designation here.
Employees can earn an internationally accepted badge of excellence, the designation will sustain Ireland’s world ranking for its people talent
Employees working in Ireland’s investment funds sector can now demonstrate and maintain competence and professionalism through the new Accredited Funds Professional designation. It was launched by IOB, at their headquarters in the heart of Ireland’s financial services centre in collaboration with Irish Funds, Ireland for Finance and IDA Ireland. Clive Bellows, the first IoB President from the funds sector said, “I’m particularly excited about IoB’s move to raise standards across the industry by offering a new programme of continuous professional development for those working in the funds sector”. Mary O’Dea, Chief Executive of IoB said “Financial services are adapting to accommodate digital transformation, multi-stakeholder expectations and new regulatory requirements. Lifelong learning is a crucial support to thrive in this new environment. Those with the Accredited Funds Professional designation will send a clear signal to all stakeholders that lifelong learning and professionalism is valued by themselves and by their employer”.
The Accredited Funds Professional designation was developed by IoB, the leading provider of applied education to the financial services industry in conjunction with Irish Funds, the representative body for the international investment fund community in Ireland and it meets an objective set out in Ireland for Finance 2025. Professional designations are an externally validated badge of excellence and are an endorsement of academic qualifications, professional knowledge and experience. Pat Lardner, Chief Executive of Irish Funds said “The investment funds industry directly employs over 16,000 people from all parts of Ireland and our growth over 30 years has been enabled by the expertise and professionalism of our people. This designation will better prepare us for the future and further underlines Ireland’s credentials as a global funds centre which serves investors from 90 countries.”
Accredited Funds Professional creates an industry standard for recognising consistency and professionalism in the funds industry. Support for the designation will distinguish Ireland’s investment funds industry amongst its global peers and differentiate Ireland as a leading fund services jurisdiction and sustain Ireland’s world ranking for its people talent.
For employees, the Accredited Funds Professional demonstrates funds expertise, client focus and professionalism and a recognition of commitment to lifelong learning. For employers, it ensures a standard of excellence for employees in their organisation. Committing themselves to early adoption Brown Brothers Harriman, Citibank Europe plc, J.P. Morgan and Northern Trust Corporation welcomed the new designation and committed that all employees of their organisations who qualify for the Accredited Funds Professional would be supported by their employer in applying for it. IoB looks forward to working with all stakeholders across the funds industry to assist in further take-up of the designation.