RPA 2

Managing Retirement Plans Part 2

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RPA

CEBS

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RPA Designation

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(Updated January 2022)

RPA 2 is being extensively revised. New course materials will be available in the  second quarter and be tested on starting July 15, 2024. The following course information applies until the June 15, 2024 testing deadline.

 

A disciplined approach to the investment of plan assets is a critical component of retirement and savings plan management whether the investment risk rests with the plan sponsor or the plan member. Decision making is context driven—Investment performance objectives are set to reflect the type of vehicle used and its unique funding requirements. With the plan’s performance objectives as a guide, and with awareness of which classes of assets can best facilitate their attainment, investments and investment managers can be selected. Once selected, they can be monitored and evaluated. 

RPA 2 presents investment theory that is transferable to management of assets in any type of employer-sponsored retirement plan whether pension or non-pension, including plans such as group tax–free savings accounts and employee savings plans, which are mostly unrestricted by government regulations and contribution limits. Investment environment, financial markets and instruments, risk and return, asset allocation, performance measurement and portfolio management techniques are addressed. The practical application of this theory is identified through examination of investments, specific legislation and regulations, roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, management of issues in each step of the investment cycle, reporting and communication practices, and industry tools and guidelines that support sound plan investment management. Text-based reading is supported with regulatory guidance and industry-based practice guidelines.

Topics Covered: 

• Navigating the Investment Environment of Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
• Inventorying the Major Asset Classes• Managing Investment Risk and Return
• Constructing an Investment Portfolio—Part 1
• Constructing an Investment Portfolio—Part 2
• Assessing the Impact of Investor Behaviour and Market Anomalies on Active Management
• Evaluating Active Management Performance
• Leveraging Managed Funds to Achieve Investment Objectives
• Complying With Legislative and Best Practices in Plan Asset Investment
• Developing the Statement of Investment Policy
• Implementing the Defined Benefit Pension Plan Investment Policy
• Implementing the Capital Accumulation Plan Investment Policy
• Capstone Case: Managing Pension Plan Investments in Accordance With Governance and Regulatory Requirements

Continuing Education

Earn professional continuing education (CE) credit as you work through CEBS courses and continue to validate your learning with CEBS Compliance and ISCEBS membership.

Licensing and Professional Credit

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Please note: If you are enrolling in a Canadian course, you must purchase your course study guide and textbook(s) through Books for Business. The exam and online study group are purchased through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Resources For RPA 2

Required

Successful completion of comprehensive exam   

C$650 (Includes two attempts if purchased in 2024)

Essential

RPA 2 Study Guide, 2nd Edition, including online access to the modules and practice exam

* Readings Updates

C$315

Essential

Investments, 9th Canadian Edition,
Special CEBS Edition,
ISBN 978-1-260312-11-9

C$115

Supplementary

Online Study Group With Instructor Support
12-week sessions offered spring, summer and fall

C$250

Success Package - Save 20%

Save 20% when you purchase the Online Study Group and RPA 2 exam.

C$720