THE QUALIFIED INVESTMENT ANALYST (QIA)^TM CURRICULUM

Our mission is to build a global learning institution for hands-on practical investment research through self-study, training, examination, and mentoring. Moving away from Modern Portfolio Theory and academic financial shenanigans that has been proven irrelevant in the real world, we focus on value investing as taught by Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett.

To fulfill our mission to bring true financial wisdom to those in need, we do not require a college degree in order to earn the QIA designation. However, due to the complexity of accounting footnotes and industry investigative work, candidates without a college degree may be required to spend more years of vigorous training within the program. We do require three years of practical experience in the fields of investment management and research in order to be finally awarded the QIA Certifiecation. Candidates can pass the exams first and gain the requisite experience later on.

We conduct time-controlled QIA exams via the web. Oral defense of research thesis is done online or over the phone. Every year, every candidate must submit (a) one full length research report about their single best investment idea for the year, and (b) one research paper based on a securities analysis topics designated by AQIA. The Candidates will then present their research in person or via internet conference, and defend their paper under the intense scrutiny of qualified examiners about all the details of securities analysis including accounting footnotes. Any question about any aspect of practical investment research can be asked and the candidates must provide an immediate answer based on their self-study. A pass or fail grade will be determined by the average scores submitted by the independent examiners.

QIA’s Focus on Real-world Research Reports

Real-time and real-world investment research reports are the hallmark of the vigorous Qualified Investment Analyst (QIA)^TM Program.

In addition to proctored exams every year, the three-year QIA Program involve multiple research reports to be submitted by candidates for grading:

1) Initial summary reports on three of your best investment ideas, at least one page per idea. Your written executive summary will be graded by value investing experts. You may get follow up questions via email or phone regarding your research work. A candidate risks being disqualified or barred if cheating or plagiarizing is discovered. All insights, findings or reports from other sources must be properly cited.

2) Yearly self-directed research reports based on a book or an intellectually challenging subject about investing, accounting or business management, etc. You can select that book(s) or the topic but it has to be approved by QIA Institute. A book too thin or too easy would not meet the level of difficulty requirement.

3) Yearly designated research thesis on an investment situation or subject chosen by AQIA.

4) Yearly research reports on the single best investment idea a candidate can identify during the year.

5) A Final Dissertation upon graduation: This is project is as challenging as a PhD dissertation in the field of value investing. You have three years or more to complete the dissertation. The topic and outline must be pre-approved. You must submit your dissertation before you complete the three year Program. You may have to present and defend your dissertation in front of fellow candidates and expert examiners. All your reports and exam papers will be graded. Upon paying a small administrative fee, you have the right to request grading comments and test records and put forth one appeal in front of the Exam Committee.

EXAM I: BUSINESS VALUATION
1. Comprehensive Exam
2. Research Paper on a Designated Topic
3. Brief Summary Writeups of Three Ideas Worth Digging Into

Key Areas of Exam: Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, Research Report Writing, Public Speaking, Probability Theory, Mental Math, Speed Reading, Time Management, Research File Management

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book On Value Investing
Revised Edition (Paperback) by Benjamin Graham, Jason Csaieig
(The best investment book ever according to Buffett.)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060555661/csai-20

The Interpretation of Financial Statements (Hardcover)
by Benjamin O. Graham, Spencer B. Meredith
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0887309135/csai-20

Security Analysis: The Classic 1940 Edition (2nd Ed. Hardcover)
by Benjamin Graham, David Dodd
(The textbook Buffett used at Columbia)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/007141228X/csai-20

2008 SEC Guidelines; Rules and Regulations; As of December 2007 (Paperback)
by Gorham & Lamont Warren
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0015GVPN4/csai-20

Financial Accounting (Fourth Edition) with CD-Rom (Hardcover) by Libby
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0072850531/csai-20

The Analysis and Use of Financial Statements by White
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471375942/csai-20

Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings (Paperback)
by Philip A. Fisher, Kenneth L. Fisher
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471445509/csai-20

Value Investing Made Easy: Benjamin Graham’s Classic Investment Strategy Explained
for Everyone (Paperback) by Janet Lowe
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0070388644/csai-20

The New Buffettology, by Mary Buffett and David Clark
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684871742/csai-20

One Up On Wall Street : How To Use What You Already Know To Make Money In The Market
by Peter Lynch, John Rothchild
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743200403/csai-20

Beating the Street
by Peter Lynch, John Rothchild
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671891634/csai-20

How to Be Rich, by J. Paul Getty
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0515087378/csai-20

Keys to Reading an Annual Report (Barron’s Business Keys) (Paperback)
by G. Thomas Friedlob, Ralph E. Welton, George Thomas Friedlob
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764113062/csai-20

EXAM II: CAPITAL MARKETS
1. Comprehensive Exam
2. Research Paper on a Designated Topic
3. In-depth Research Report on a Single Best Idea

Key Areas of Exam: Intermediate Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis,
Investigation Techniques, File Management, Management Interview Techniques

Value Investing : From Graham to Buffett and Beyond, by Bruce Greenwald
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471463396/csai-20

Wall Street On Sale (Hardcover) by Timothy Vick
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071342052/csai-20

Baruch: My Own Story
by Bernard M. Baruch (Benefactor of Bernard M. Baruch College, CUNY)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/156849095X/csai-20

Benjamin Graham on Value Investing: Lessons from the Dean of Wall Street
by Janet Lowe
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140255346/csai-20

The Five Rules for Successful Stock Investing: Morningstar’s Guide to Building Wealth and Winning in the Market
by Pat Dorsey, Joe Mansueto
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471269654/csai-20

EXAM II: RESEARCH REPORT
1. Comprehensive Exam
2. Research Paper on a Designated Advanced Topic in Securities Analysis
3. In-depth Research Report on a Single Best Idea

Key Areas of Exam: Advanced Financial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis II, Emotional Intelligence, Distress Investing

You Can Be a Stock Market Genius : Uncover the Secret Hiding Places of Stock Market Profits
by Joel Greenblatt
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684840073/csai-20

Financial Shenanigans: How to Detect Accounting Gimmicks & Fraud in Financial Reports, Second Edition
by Howard M. Schilit
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071386262/csai-20

Buffett : The Making of an American Capitalist
by Roger Lowenstein
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385484917/csai-20

The Warren Buffett Way, Second Edition
by Robert G. Hagstrom
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471648116/csai-20

How to Pick Stocks Like Warren Buffett: Profiting from the Bargain Hunting Strategies of the World’s Greatest Value Investor
by Timothy Vick
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071357696/csai-20