Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist
CERTIFIED SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST (CSISS) CERTIFICATION
The Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist will play a crucial role in the investment process by assisting investment managers and analysts across various industries and sectors. The certification serves as a foundational course for individuals seeking to launch or advance their careers in the financial services sector. It is tailored to meet the needs of newcomers in the securities and investment field, enabling them to work as finance support staff across multiple sectors.
This certification is strategically designed for newcomers interested in operating within or enhancing their knowledge of the securities and investment industry, offering a comprehensive overview of financial markets that is crucial for success.
The certification provides an in-depth examination of all key areas essential to the securities and investment ecosystem. By emphasizing investment strategies, due diligence, and reporting, a Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist will develop the necessary skills to conduct research, evaluate data, and assist in decision-making while creating and managing investment portfolios.
KEY SKILLS EXPECTED OF A CERTIFIED SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
These include, but are not limited to:
- Research and Analysis: Conduct thorough industry research and analyse financial data to identify profitable investment opportunities.
- Due Diligence: Manage the evaluation process of potential investments in collaboration with senior team members.
- Reporting: Create high-quality investment committee materials and perform detailed analysis of investment results.
- Portfolio Management: diligently monitor investment performance and implement effective portfolio management strategies.
- Operational Support: Provide crucial support for operational tasks related to compliance and reporting.
The Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist is essential to every aspect of the investment process, from identifying and evaluating opportunities to managing investments with precision.
MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENT.
- Candidates must have five (5) ‘O’ Level credit passes, including English language and Mathematics.
This is mandatory for all students, regardless of their qualifications, who are applying to participate in the Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist program.
- Holders of ND, HND, BA, B.Sc., and other qualifications in various fields, or candidates eligible for direct admission to the Level 1 examination of the Institute, may choose to begin with the Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist route.
EXAMINATION STRUCTURE
STAGE 1
| MODULE A | MODULE B | ||
| 1.1 | Business Communication | 1.5 | Introduction to Accounting and Financial Reporting |
| 1.2 | Principles of Business Law and Ethics | 1.6 | Financial Statement Analysis |
| 1.3 | Basic Economics for Finance | 1.7 | Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis |
| 1.4 | Introduction to Financial Markets | 1.8 | Corporate Finance Fundamentals |
STAGE 2
| MODULE A | MODULE B | ||
| 2.1 | Law, Ethics and Professional Standards | 2.4 | Investment Instruments and Analysis |
| 2.2 | Securities Markets Regulations and Compliance | 2.5 | Asset Valuation and Portfolio Management |
| 2.3 | Fintech and Innovation in Financial Services | 2.6 | Introduction to Derivatives |
| 2.7 | Risk Management Basics |
TIME OF EXAMINATION
The exam for Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialists will be held in February, June, and October each year.
EXAMS TIME-TABLE AND SCHEDULES
The examination structures and time schedules are as stated below:
| EXAMS STAGES | EXAMS MODULES | EXAMS TIME |
| STAGE 1
|
Module A |
9:00 am – 12 noon Morning Paper |
| STAGE 2
|
Module A | |
| STAGE 1
|
Module B | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Afternoon Paper |
| STAGE 2
|
Module B |
MODE OF EXAMINATION
The examination shall be conducted through multiple-choice questions and/or any other method as may be directed by the Council of the Institute.
REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF CERTIFICATE
- No candidate will receive the Securities and Investment Support Specialist certificate unless they have completed all stages of the exam.
- Candidates must complete the first stage (Stage 1) before proceeding to the next stage.
- The candidate will earn credit for any subject passed, but must complete a module before progressing to the next one.
- The candidate has up to three (3) years to complete each stage.
- The candidate has up to five (5) years to complete the entire programme; otherwise, s/he will forfeit all previously passed and credited modules and will need to restart the certification process.
THE TRANSITION ARRANGEMENTS FOR CERTIFIED SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST (CSISS) PROGRAMME FROM JUNE 2026
| CURRENT SCHEME | CONVERSION TO NEW SCHEME | |
| To write: | Credited with: | |
| A candidate who has successfully completed Stage 1 Modules A&B |
New Stage 2 Module A&B |
New Stage 1 Module A&B |
| A candidate who has passed one Module in Stage 1 exams | The candidate must write and complete Stage 1 exams by February 2026.
Candidate who could not: To write 1 Module in Stage 1 and both modules in Stage 2 |
New Stage 1 and one Module
Passed
|
| A candidate who has passed Stage 1 Module A&B and one Module in Stage 2 | The candidate must complete the remaining Module in Stage 2 Exams by February 2026
Candidate who could not: To write both Modules in Stage 2 |
New Stage 1 Module A&B
|
REGISTRATION FEE: N10,200
Click here to register
EXAMINATION FEE
| PAPER | COST |
| Stage 1 Module A | N12,000 |
| Stage 1 Module B | N12,000 |
| Stage 2 Module A | N16,500 |
| Stage 2 Module B | N16,500 |
- Minimum Entry Requirement
Five (5) ‘O’ Levels credit passes, including English language and Mathematics.
- Unilingual Exams
The examination is conducted in English, and other languages may be made available in the near future.
- Assessment
Each Module of the Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist will be assessed by a 3-hour, fully multiple-choice question (MCQ) based examination consisting of 120 questions.
- Rules and Regulations
Download the Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of the Certified Securities and Investment Support Specialist examinations here.
- Study and Study References
Proceed to study and sit for the exams
- Exam Details & Syllabus
Download Syllabus here
- Pilot Questions and Solutions
- Study Materials for Reading
Diploma Study packs
| STAGE 1 | |||
| Module A | Price (₦) | Module B | Price (₦) |
| Business Communication | 4,000 | Business Management | 4,000 |
| Elements of Economics | 4,000 | Business Mathematics & Statistics | 4,000 |
| Business Law | 4,000 | Fundamentals of Financial Market | 4,000 |
| Business Accounting | 4,000 | ||
| TOTAL | ₦ 16,000 | TOTAL | ₦ 12,000 |
| STAGE 2 | |||
| Module A | Price (₦) | Module B | Price (₦) |
| Economics | 4,000 | Law, Ethics and Professional Standards | 4,000 |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 4,000 | Regulation and Practice of Securities & Investment | 4,000 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 4,000 | Asset Valuation and Portfolio Management | 4,000 |
| Corporate Finance | 4,000 | Derivatives | 4,000 |
| TOTAL | ₦ 16,000 | TOTAL | ₦ 16,000 |
Diploma (Stage 1 & 2)
| PAPER CODE | SUBJECT | DATE | SESSION | TIME |
| Stage 1: Module A | BC, EE, BL & BA | 1st Tuesday of the Month | Morning | 8:50-12:00pm |
| Stage 1: Module B | BM, BMS & FFM | 1st Tuesday of the Month | Afternoon | 1:50-5:00pm |
| Stage 2: Module A | EC, FSA, QT & CF | 1st Tuesday of the Month | Morning | 8:50-12:00pm |
| Stage 2: Module B | LEP, RPS, APM & Der | 1st Tuesday of the Month | Afternoon | 1:50-5:00pm |