The Associate Examinations were established in 1979 and phased out in 2002. The ASIP qualification was broadly equivalent to the CFA Program in content and rigour. Over its 23-year history, it had three iterations, first to align with a degree level and secondly to align with the development of the IMC.
Today, we have over 500 members who are part of our Society. Their years of knowledge in the UK investment industry add gravitas to our events, experience to our mentoring programmes and support our advocacy to work to make the investment industry, fairer and a better place to work.
WHO ARE OUR ASIP MEMBERS?
Our members who hold the ASIP designation are influential changemakers in investment. From CIOs of large asset managers to regulators to entrepreneurs their years of experience and impact are essential to building a more sustainable UK investment profession.
ASIP Descriptions
Below is a set of standardized language options ASIP members may use to clarify their status and distinguish the ASIP designation from the new Associate Membership class. Each option reinforces the designation’s historical recognition, rigor, and Professional Member standing.
Full Formal Description (For Profiles, Applications, and Official Use)
“I hold the ASIP designation, which was awarded by the former UK Institute of Investment Management and Research (IIMR) and recognized by AIMR as equivalent in rigor and professional standing to the CFA Charter. ASIP designation holders are Professional Members of CFA Institute with full voting and membership rights. The ASIP designation is entirely distinct from CFA Institute’s new non-voting Associate Membership class.”
Medium-Length Version (Easily Used on LinkedIn or in Professional Bios)
“ASIP designation holder and Professional Member of CFA Institute. The ASIP designation—recognized historically as equivalent in rigor to the CFA Charter—is a long-standing professional credential and is not related to CFA Institute’s new non-voting Associate Membership class.”
Short Version (For Signatures, LinkedIn Headlines, or Brief Statements)
“ASIP designation holder and Professional Member of CFA Institute (distinct from the Associate Membership class).”
Conversational Explanation (For Clients, Colleagues, or Informal Clarification)
“Although the ASIP designation includes the word ‘Associate,’ it is not related to CFA Institute’s new Associate Membership class. ASIP was awarded by the former IIMR and has long been recognized as equivalent in rigor to the CFA Charter. ASIP holders are Professional Members of CFA Institute with full membership rights.”
One-Sentence Version (Ultra-Concise)
“ASIP is a historic professional designation recognized as equivalent in rigor to the CFA Charter and held by Professional Members of CFA Institute—not part of the new Associate Membership class.”
Regulator / Employer-Facing Version (Formal and Verification-Friendly)
“The ASIP designation was conferred by the former Institute of Investment Management and Research (IIMR) and recognized by AIMR as equivalent in rigor and professional standing to the CFA Charter. Holders of the ASIP designation are Professional Members of CFA Institute with full rights and responsibilities. This designation is distinct from the newly introduced non-voting Associate Membership class at CFA Institute.”
BE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY
To use your ASIP designation you need to be a member of CFA UK. If you have the ASIP qualification, you are eligible to be a CFA UK member. There are many routes to join us, so explore what works best for you.
BECOME A MEMBER
