Curriculum (Mutual Fund Foundation)

Explore the Curriculum for Mutual Fund Foundation Certification

I. Investment Landscape

A. Saving or Investments?

B. Different Asset Classes

C. Four broad financial needs

D. Different types of financial goals

E. Role of mutual funds in achieving different financial goals

II. Concept and Role of a Mutual Fund

A. Concept of a Mutual fund

B. Classification of Mutual Funds

C. Growth of the mutual fund industry in India

III. Legal Structure of Mutual Funds in India

A. Structure of Mutual Funds in India

B. Key Constituents of a Mutual Fund

C. Organization Structure of Asset Management Company

D. Role and Support function of Service Providers

E. Role and Function of AMFI

IV. Mutual Fund Products for the New Cadre of Distributors

A. Introduction to Mutual Fund Products for New Cadre of Distributors

B. Liquid Schemes / Money Market Schemes

C. Index Funds

D. Diversified Equity Schemes

E. Retirement Benefit Schemes

F. Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs)

V. Scheme Related Information

A. Mandatory Documents

B. Non-Mandatory Disclosures

VI. Fund Distribution and Channel Management Practices

A. The role and importance of mutual fund distributors

B. Different kinds of mutual fund distributors

C. Modes of distribution

D. Pre-requisites to become Distributor of a Mutual Fund

E. Revenue for a mutual fund distributor

F. Commission Disclosure mandated by SEBI

G. Due Diligence Process by AMCs for Distributors of Mutual Funds

H. Difference between distributors and Investment Advisors

I. Nomination facilities to Agents/Distributors and Payment of Commission to Nominee

J. Change of distributor

VII. Performance of Mutual Funds

A. Calculation of returns of mutual fund schemes

B. Concept of loads and application of exit load in calculating transaction price

C. Concept of risk in a mutual fund investment

D. Concept of risk-adjusted return

E. Scheme Benchmarks for mutual fund schemes

VIII. Taxation

A. Applicability of taxes in respect of mutual funds

B. Capital Gains

C. Dividend income (IDCW option)

D. Stamp Duty on Mutual Fund Units

E. Setting off of Capital Gains and Losses under Income Tax Act

F. Securities Transaction Tax

G. Tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act

H. Tax Deducted at Source

I. Applicability of GST

IX. Investor Services

A. The NFO process

B. New Fund Offer Price/On-going Offer Price for subscription

C. Investment Plans and Services

D. Allotment of Units to the Investor

E. Account statements for investments

F. Mutual Fund Investors

G. Filling the Application Form for Mutual Funds

H. Financial Transactions with Mutual Funds

I. Cut-off Time and Time Stamping

J. KYC Requirements for Mutual Fund Investors

K. Systematic Transactions

L. Operational aspects of Systematic Transactions

M. Non-Financial Transactions in Mutual Funds

N. Change in Status of Special Investor Categories

O. Investor transactions – turnaround times

X. Legal and Regulatory Environment

A. Role of Securities and Exchange Board of India

B. Investor Grievance Redressal

C. AMFI Code of Conduct for Intermediaries

D. AMFI Code of Ethics

E. AMFI’s Code of Conduct for Intermediaries of Mutual Funds