Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out work tasks in financial markets. It involves analysing financial products used by market participants and applying that knowledge in the workplace.
It applies to individuals who use well-developed skills and a broad knowledge of financial products to work in a range of roles in financial markets. They apply solutions to a range of unpredictable problems and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Work functions in the occupational area where this unit is used are determined by the job role of the individual and in some circumstances may be subject to regulatory requirements. Refer to the relevant regulator for specific guidance on requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Analyse financial markets products and their characteristics | 1.1 Review the relationship between risk and return for financial products 1.2 Compare different types of financial products traded in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) markets and the variables impacting their pricing 1.3 Assess the capabilities, benefits and risks of different physical and derivative financial products 1.4 Identify risk management strategies to manage the risks inherent in the financial products 1.5 Discuss how and why various financial market products are used by market participants |
2. Analyse the deal transaction cycle | 2.1 Identify categories of trading strategies 2.2 Differentiate the trading processes for exchange-traded and OTC markets 2.3 Outline the steps in the trading, clearing and settlement processes for exchange-traded financial products 2.4 Determine the steps for trading, confirming, settling, reconciling and managing collateral for OTC products 2.5 Identify risks and risk management strategies in transaction processes for financial markets products |
3. Maintain financial market knowledge | 3.1 Assess the impact of technological and regulatory factors on financial products and how they are traded and processed 3.2 Maintain professional competence in market knowledge in accordance with codes of conduct and regulatory and organisational requirements 3.3 Implement processes for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant aspects of financial markets |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
assess three different problems in the deal transaction cycle by applying knowledge of financial products and the deal cycle.
In the course of the above, the candidate must:
analyse and evaluate key issues identified
review analysis with appropriate individuals in the organisation.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
methods for sourcing and maintaining currency of own knowledge of financial markets products
characteristics, capabilities and liabilities of common types of financial market products traded in OTC and exchange-traded markets, including:
physical and derivative financial products
factors affecting product use by market participants
variables impacting product pricing
risks associated with each type of financial product
steps in the transaction cycle for OTC and exchange-traded financial products
operation of OTC and exchange-traded markets, including:
main participants and their key objectives
relevant industry standards and codes of conduct
relevant regulatory requirements
organisational procedures for:
accessing financial product information
codes of conduct, and regulatory and organisational requirements relating to maintaining and enhancing financial market knowledge.
Assessment Conditions
Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.
This includes access to:
regulations, standards and codes required to produce the performance evidence
office equipment, technology, software and consumables required to research financial product information
organisational software systems and data required to produce the performance evidence.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
Reading | Analyses complex textual information from a range of sources and relates specific aspects of information to requirements |
Writing | Records information using clear language and organisational templates |
Initiative and enterprise | Critically analyses changes in regulation and organisational procedures |
Self-management | Keeps up-to-date on changes to regulations relevant to own role and considers their implications when planning and undertaking work |
Technology | Uses industry standard digital technologies and systems to access information, and search and enter data |
Sectors
Financial markets