Strate compliance officer exams relaunched

The Strate Academy is committed to enhancing the knowledge of individuals interested in the securities industry. As the capital markets have evolved, we undertook a comprehensive review of the Strate Academy training material to ensure it aligns with the objectives of the Financial Markets Act 19 of 2012 and remains relevant and fit-for-purpose.

After extensive revisions, the learning material is now streamlined and fit-for-purpose, allowing us to relaunch of the Strate exams.

The Strate exams will now consist of four modules.

The first module, “Understanding Strate and the financial markets” is compulsory for anyone wishing to write the Strate exams (including compliance officers and settlement officers).

The module introduces the essential role that Strate plays in the South African financial markets and how it benefits the larger financial market ecosystem. It covers the regulatory and legislative framework within which Strate operates, as well as risk management, compliance officers’ responsibilities, and how Strate facilitates secure transactions across various dematerialised security types for issuers and investors. Securities lending and borrowing is also covered.

The other three modules cover bonds, money market and equities respectively.

Compliance officers have to write an exam for each of the four modules.

Settlement officer exams

We no longer have separate modules and exams for settlement officers. All relevant content has been streamlined into the above modules to ensure consistency in learning. All settlement officers will need to write the module 1 exam. They will then choose the module relevant to them from bonds, money market or equities.

Recognition of prior learning

We will engage one-on-one with each of the delegates who were in the process of writing Strate exams when they were put on hold about recognition of prior learning and writing the remainder of the exams.

We trust that this enhanced syllabus will ensure that compliance officers, settlement officers and other market stakeholders are equipped with the necessary skills and information to excel in their roles.

For more information or queries, please contact Strate Academy at academy@strate.co.za.