The Finnish investment services exams can now be taken at libraries at a time of the candidate’s own choosing. Finance Finland (FFI) recommends that everyone working in investment services in its member companies should complete the General Securities Qualification (APV1). Supervisors and those working in expert advisory and management positions should also complete the more extensive Investment Adviser Qualification (APV2).
”At the library, the exam takers are handed a tablet computer, and once they have completed the exam, they will immediately learn whether they passed or failed. Modern and simple!” explains Markku Savikko, managing director at APV Investment Examinations Ltd.
APV Investment Examinations Ltd manages and develops investment service qualifications in Finland and organises the examinations in collaboration with Aalto University Executive Education Ltd. The company is owned by Finnish financial groups and investment service companies.
As financial regulation has increased, the APV qualifications have grown somewhat more challenging. For example, the Insurance Distribution Directive and provisions on money laundering have increased the amount of knowledge required. The exam questions are now also more diverse than the previously used true/false questions.
”I remember one exam taker who handed back the tablet and muttered that he should really have studied for this one!” Savikko chuckles.
Visit the Aalto University website for more information and registration (in Finnish).