Trading Securities Starts with the Canadian Securities Course and Exams

Some people are naturally inclined to understand finances and the various financial instruments used in investing. However, even with a natural slant to the comprehension of these tools, there is still a need for education and certification. The stages of that learning and designations will depend upon the desires of the individual.

Those who want to trade securities and/or provide investment advice to others may need to take a Canadian Securities Course (CSC Course) online or in person, though online is definitely the preference during COVID-19 health safety restrictions. Ashton College offers a comprehensive CSC Course online to help both advanced personal investors and individuals who want to move their career in finance forward.

Benefits of the Canadian Securities Course

Taking a Canadian Securities course contributes to meeting the educational requirement to earning a CSC designation from the Canadian Securities Institute – the official body that produces financial course content and exams as well as issuing designations. Earning the CSC designation is the first step in becoming a registered investment representative in Canada and meets the education requirements to buy/sell/trade mutual funds, exchange traded funds, stocks and other financial instruments.

The course, however, is much more than just a way to fulfill a requirement. It’s the best way to prepare for the two exams that must be written within a year of registering for the CSC course. Additionally, the course is a source of copious amounts of knowledge about the Canadian financial marketplace, investment instruments and investing rules and practices.

Because of the challenges of COVID, some may feel hesitant to consider advancing their education at this time. Fortunately, with the robust Live Online platform, Ashton College is able to offer the CSC Course online in a fully-integrated fashion that allows for interaction with fellow students and the instructor. There is also a great deal of flexibility in taking the course this way, which is important because it’s estimated that the exams require about 150 to 200 hours of study and review time.

The two exams both have a two hour time limit to complete the 100 multiple choice questions on each test. The passing score is 60% for each exam. The course has no prerequisites, so it’s not necessary to take the CSC course to take the exam, but it is commonly known to be the best way to prepare for it.

CSC Course and Exam Content

Just as the exam is done in two parts, the CSC course is focused on two distinct aspects. The first part is primarily about the market, economics and financial instruments as well as how they work and are bought/sold/traded. The second part is more about the review and analysis of the elements of the markets including businesses, portfolios, an understanding of mutual funds and taxation. This second part also gets into a few of the formerly-considered “fringe” investments like segregated funds, hedge funds and exchange traded funds. There is an overview of retail clients and institutional clients in the second half as well.

Why the CSC Course Might be for You

There are a number of jobs in fund trading and advising that require the CSC designation, though many roles in the financial sector do not require it. While it’s not mandatory for many people who work in investment banking or in general financial institution roles, having the knowledge the CSC provides can be extremely valuable in understanding the markets as a whole and will likely have a positive impact on your career growth.

If you’re thinking about taking the CSC course, you may want to brush up on your accounting and financial math skills. Because the topics covered are quite broad, there will be an opportunity to learn about the market from many different points of view.