FISD Launches Financial Information Associate Certification

First-ever professional credential for market and reference data industry

WASHINGTON, May 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Financial Information Services Division (FISD) of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) announces the launch of its new "Financial Information Associate" certification - the very first offering of its kind in this industry sector and the first to come out of the FISD Professional Certification program. As of May 2010, early adopters from the market and reference data industry are able to take the certification test, through the facilities of leading test-provider Kryterion, at any of the 50 plus test centers located around the globe.

FISD members within user's firms, vendors and exchanges have worked over the last two years to bring this substantial process to fruition. 25 highly qualified subject matter experts produced a detailed Syllabus covering four key subjects – "The Markets," "The Data," "The Technology," and finally, "Issues and Trends."  Following on from that, a robust and relevant online test has been authored and implemented consisting of 150 carefully selected multiple choice questions.  For more information about the FISD professional certification program, the syllabus, and the testing process, please visit the FISD Professional Certification website (http://siia.net/fisdpc/).

At this inaugural stage, FISD is seeking a broad range of early adopter candidates to take the test.  During this early adopter phase, the certification is being offered at $125 USD, a considerable discount on the planned final price of $450 USD.

Professional Certification offers those working in the industry the opportunity to broaden their career horizons by developing their knowledge and skills to make them even more valuable to the firms employing them today - and those that might in the future. Employers gain by having a useful tool to assess knowledge and skills and set development plans - for existing staff and new hires.  Additionally, both employers and employees gain by seeing a clear and industry-agreed structure to the knowledge that is recognized as being most valuable and pertinent in today's (and tomorrow's!) markets.

FISD member reaction to the new program has been positive. "The FISD professional certification program provides valuable recognition and structure for the skills and knowledge that professionals in our industry have obtained and need to develop," said Andrew McLean, Vice President, Third Party Content, at Interactive Data Corporation.

FISD is working closely with a selection of industry specialist training facilitators to provide a range of training options - from small scale classroom training over several days to shorter and more keenly priced seminar style lectures. FISD has endeavored to set up training to solutions to suit all needs and a variety of budgets.  "We have been watching the development of the FISD Certification program over the last 2 years and we believe wholeheartedly that there is a real need for this in our industry. We at TCAM are in turn working hard to provide a range of training options to any candidates who look to take this new Certification," said John Lathouwers, Founder and Owner of TCAM Services.

About FISD

The Financial Information Services Division (FISD) of the Software and Information Industry Association provides a neutral business forum for exchanges, market data vendors, specialist data providers, brokerage firms, investment managers and banks to address and resolve business and technical issues related to the distribution, management, administration and use of market data.  Participants use the forum to exchange ideas, build business relationships and improve the business climate associated with the worldwide flow of financial information. For more information, visit http://www.fisd.net.

SOURCE Software & Information Industry Association