ACI - The Financial Markets Association is a global institution, actively promoting the educational and professional interests of the financial markets industry. ACI Education provides a suite of specialized examinations targeting Foreign Exchange and Money Markets, Derivatives, Repos, Risk Management etc. for front, middle and back-office staff. ACI's education program sets out syllabi in the following three subject areas:

• Skills
• Knowledge and The Understanding Of Wholesale Financial Market Products
• The Market Environment and Professional Behavior

The ACI Dealing Certificate
The foundation program and precursor to the ACI Diploma, the ACI Dealing Certificate is aimed at candidates seeking a working knowledge of the structure and operation of:

• Foreign exchange markets
• Money markets
• Basic derivative products

This course is designed for new entrants and junior dealers (less than 2 year's experience), middle office and operations staff, and auditors and compliance officers.

The ACI Diploma
Building upon the ACI Dealing Certificate, the ACI Diploma ensures candidates have a good practical knowledge of the Treasury and Foreign Exchange markets. To achieve this qualification, a fundamental knowledge of the mathematics and pricing relationships of the various instruments will be obtained.

The ACI Operations Certificate
Due to be republished and offered in the first half of 2006 (currently the Settlements Certificate), the target audience will be a wide group of professionals from the Middle and Back Offices and Compliance areas. This examination has been designed to provide a benchmark for competency in all aspects of the settlements process. It aims to test candidates' knowledge of:

• The Underlying Instruments Involved In The Financial Markets
• The Processes For Efficient Settlements
• Related Basic Financial Calculations.

Candidates should also be able to demonstrate appreciation of the scope and importance of the back-office role, particularly in providing a service to the front office. In particular, this program is designed for:

• New And Recent Entrants To The Back-Office;
• Other Trading Room Support Areas;
• Internal Auditors.