The study of CAPE® Financial Services Studies will assist in the formal preparation and certification of Caribbean persons to access an untapped market space and contribute to the development of more competent international financial services experts in an area which is poised for high profitable growth across the Region.

This programme will contribute to a Caribbean person who is more aware of the international importance of the financial services industry and the impact of international financial policies on the Caribbean. This will lead to a better quality of life for present and future generations while providing wealth creation through new and innovative job opportunities and other economic possibilities including entrepreneurship.

THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL IS PLEASED TO INTRODUCE THE CARIBBEAN ADVANCED PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION (CAPE®) FINANCIAL SERVICES STUDIES SYLLABUS.

FINANCIALSERVICES STUDIES

AIMS

THE SYLLABUS AIMS TO:1. promote an awareness of the international importance

of the financial services industry;

2. create awareness of the impact of offshore financial service policies on the Caribbean;

3. help students understand the impact of globalisation and the global financial industry on the Caribbean;

4. help students understand the value of the customers and information systems in the financial services industry;

5. develop the capacity for critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, leadership and management, positive cooperative behaviours, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial skills and technological competence through authentic learning experiences; and,

6. integrate information, communication and technology (ICT) tools and skills.

SYLLABUS STRUCTURE

The syllabus is organised in two (2) Units. A Unit comprises three (3) modules each requiring fifty (50) hours. The total time for each Unit, is therefore, expected to be one hundred and fifty (150) hours with at least thirty (30) percent of the time dedicated to practical work.

Each Unit can independently offer students a comprehensive programme of study with appropriate balance between depth and coverage to provide a basis for further study in this field.

UNIT 1 CONCEPTUAL ISSUES IN FINANCIAL SERVICESModule 1 – Introduction to Financial Products and Services Module 2 – Portfolio Management and InvestmentModule 3 – Governance, Regulations, and Ethics

UNIT 2CUSTOMER VALUE, INFORMATION SYSTEMAND FINANCIAL SERVICESModule 1 – Financial Services EnvironmentsModule 2 – Compliance, Legislation and StatutesModule 3 – Financial Reporting

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:The Pro Registrar – Caribbean Examinations CouncilCaenwood Centre, 37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaicat: +1 (876) 630-5200 f: +1 (876) 967-4972e: cxcwzo@cxc.org w: www.cxc.org

ASSESSMENT

Each Unit of the syllabus will be assessed separately. The same scheme of assessment will be applied to each Module in each Unit. Grades will be awarded independently for each Unit. Candidates’ performance on each Unit will be reported as an overall grade and a grade on each Module of the Unit. The assessment will comprise two components, one external and one internal (School-Based Assessment).

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT(80 per cent)

Paper 01This paper comprises forty-five compulsory, multiple-choice items, fifteen based on each Module.

Paper 02This paper comprises two sections, Section A and Section B. Section A consists of three compulsory short answer questions, one from each Module in the Unit. Section B consists of three compulsory essays, one from each Module in the Unit.

SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT (20 per cent)

Paper 03/1A research paper of approximately 1,500 words, exclusive of appendices. The research paper must address an issue relevant to their society, and be based on any topic covered in any one, two or all three Modules of the Unit being assessed. The School-Based Assessment for each Unit requires that the project, which candidates undertake, must demonstrate the candidate’s skills in research, presentation, analysis, and evaluation of qualitative and or quantitative data as appropriate to the field of financial services.

Candidates must complete the School-Based Assessment for the first Unit for which they register. Candidates may opt to carry forward their School-Based Assessment mark to the second Unit. Such candidates are not required to complete the School-Based Assessment component for the second Unit.

Candidates who, in the same year, register for both Units of CAPE® Financial Studies may opt to:

(a) submit a separate School-Based Assessment assignment for each Unit; or

(b) submit a single School-Based Assessment assignment from either Unit 01 or Unit 02, to be considered for both.

Candidates who opt for (b) must indicate from which Unit the School-Based Assessment assignment was selected.

If a candidate is repeating a Unit, the moderated School-Based Assessment score obtained for that Unit may be used for both Units taken at the same time.

Paper 03/2 Private candidates are required to write an Alternative paper – Paper 03/2.