The modular "Investor Relations Certification Programme" is designed to provide IR professionals and Communication Managers with an in-depth update on current IR best practices, including ESG disclosures, covering regulatory compliance and disclosure practices, the latest developments in the use of technology and social media to build closer relationships with investors, and changes in critical aspects of the day-to-day role of IR professionals.

More information coming soon

Background

In 2022, for the first time, Academy – Euronext Group launched its Investor Relations Certification programme. The certificate, awarded upon completion of the training and successful examination, provides a qualification recognized across EU markets. 


Benefits of attending and key take-aways

This qualification equips successful candidates with the necessary knowledge, tools, and competence to manage effective, fair, and trustworthy communications between their company and its shareholders and stakeholders.

The modular "Investor Relations Certification Programme" is designed to provide IR professionals and Communication Managers with an in-depth update on current IR best practices, including ESG disclosures. The Mastercourse covers a wide range of topics, including regulatory compliance and disclosure practices, the latest developments in the use of technology and social media to build closer relationships with investors, and changes in critical aspects of the day-to-day role of IR professionals.

The programme offers a wealth of real-life case studies, featuring speakers who are well-known industry experts.

Structure

A 4-phased programme 

The Mastercourse is a four-phased programme:

1 - Assessment – an online check-point to verify the participants’ level of knowledge on some fundamental topics

2 - Foundation courses – three online courses to get ready for the core curriculum. These courses will be mandatory for participants with identified knowledge gaps during the assessment phase

3 – Core Courses – 4 modules on the most relevant topics for an IR expert

4 – Final examination – an online examination and in person delivery of a project work at the Euronext offices (venue to be defined).


Assessment 

The assessment is an online multiple-choice questionnaire, made of 50 questions to be completed in up to 75 minutes. The participants will be informed about the assessment outcome in three days time.


Foundation courses

On the basis of the assessment outcome, delegates will be asked to attend three online courses in preparation to the main programme:

1 - Introduction to financial markets and Instruments

This 4-hour online course has been designed to provide an overview of the financial markets and of some of the most common financial instruments. It will provide attendees with an insight into the workings of a financial market place - showing how it functions, together with an explanation of the products that are offered and traded by different users in the market.

The course is organised in 14 modules of about 15-20 minutes each for a total runtime of 4h15’. The first 12 modules are for beginners, while the last two modules are at an intermediate level.

2 - Financial Statement Analysis

This course is designed to explain how financial measures of corporate performance are calculated. The course covers the basics of financial statement analysis and enables participants to confidently use financial ratios and financial terminology. This is an introductory level course designed for users of financial reports and accounts who have no prior or limited knowledge of corporate financial information. Participants will also learn how to use a company financial statement to distil the relevant information and how much cash is generated by the business.

3 - Company Valuation

This e-learning series offers a coherent view of business valuation after introducing the fundamental concept of Discounting Cash Flow (DCF). The course will highlight how fundamental tools like the Net-Present Value (NPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) are utilised. Last but not least, by using real examples, the course will introduce the basic ingredients in the company’s cost of equity, debt and how to combine both into cost of capital.


Core courses

The core curriculum is based on four Modules:

1- Understanding the financial eco-system: putting Investor Relations into context – 1 day and a half in person 

2- Implementing effective Investor Relations: organisation, strategy design and execution – 4-half days online

3- Benchmarking IR practices – 2-half days online

4- IR and ESG – 2-half days online



Final examination and project work

At the end of the Mastercourse an online examination session will be held in person in Milano - Euronext Offices.

The exam will be a multiple-choice questionnaire, made of 75 questions to be completed in 90 minutes.  

During the training, delegates will be also assigned a project work to be run in groups and presented on the final examination day.

At successful completion of the examination, the delegates will be awarded the ‘Academy Certificate in Investor Relations’ by Academy – Euronext Group.

Who should attend

Target audience

• Post-graduates
• IR professionals
• Sustainability and ESG managers
• Board directors
• Communication and PR Managers of listed and listing companies
• Financial analysts of listed companies

Course Tutor

Academy experts

Logistics

Learning environment

The Mastercourse is a blended training programme.

The foundation courses will be delivered online by the Academy elearning platform.

The Welcome ceremony and the first module of the core courses will be carried out in person in Milan at Euronext Offices. (More details will be shared in due course).

The second, third and fourth module of the core courses will be carried out online as virtual classrooms on Academy’s Teams platform.

The Examination and Certificate Ceremony  day will be carried out in person in Milan at Euronext Offices. (More details will be shared in due course).

Learning material

The handouts and course material will be provided to the delegates in pdf format via the Academy elearning platform before each training session.


Academy Certificate

Certified Investor Relations Officer – Academy – Euronext Group 

At successful completion of the examination, delegates will be awarded  the ‘Academy Certificate in Investor Relations’ by Academy – Euronext Group. 

Please be aware that the Investor Relations certification will be valid for two years.

To maintain its validity beyond this period, participants must complete a 8-hour annual update on IR practices starting two years after obtaining the certification.