Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association has launched a program that provides a new credential for financial analysts working alongside data scientists. This new credential, Financial Data Professional, is granted to financial analysts who complete a curriculum and exam-based program offered by the FDP Institute.
The FDP Institute program is designed to educate financial professionals about data science and its applications in the financial sector. The FDP credential will be granted to individuals who complete prerequisite requirements and pass an exam focused on big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in the financial industry.
"We're entering the market where the pace of change is enormous," said William J. Kelly, CEO of the CAIA Association, in a phone interview. "We need to find a way for analysts to communicate to the data scientists."
The FDP Institute, led by Executive Director and CEO Mehrzad Mahdavi, is designed to help financial analysts make informed decisions based on the data they are given.
"The most growing part in the financial sector is data-driven decision-making," Mr. Mahdavi said in the interview. "The question becomes how do we bridge the gap between financial analysts and data scientists? These people speak different languages, so they don't communicate."
Added Mr. Kelly: "As asset managers lean further into the digitization process, we need to make sure that doesn't create more space between the asset owners and asset managers."
An advisory board and curriculum committee made up of data scientists oversees the curriculum and exam.
The FDP Institute, which was established by the CAIA Association, has selected an international list of prerequisite content providers and will continue to broaden this list to enable more choices for candidates. The FDP exam for 2019 will be available in November for those who complete the prerequisite program.
Those wishing to participate in the program can visit the FDP Institute's website for more information and to obtain the prerequisite and the FDP exam requirements. Registration opens Thursday.
