Certified Trust Operations Professional® (CTOP®)

Overview

The Certified Trust Operations Professional® (CTOP®) is a certification for professionals working in Trust and Securities Operations activities in the financial services industry. It is based on an established set of industry-wide competencies covering concepts, rules, regulations, laws, and standard operating procedures essential for proficiency in the Trust and Securities Operations field.

The Securities Operations School, which leads to the CTOP® certification, keeps professionals informed about industry developments. It covers the processing of stocks, bonds, and derivatives in the U.S., the roles of various financial institutions, and how securities are created and distributed through different market systems. The curriculum also explores the industry's infrastructure and the characteristics of various traded instruments.

Who Should Become a CTOP®?

Trust Operations Professionals
Are you challenged by the complexities of transaction processing, account management, and evolving compliance requirements? The CTOP® designation offers a comprehensive pathway to mastering trust operations intricacies. Envision confidently managing daily reconciliations and efficiently resolving discrepancies. Consider your enhanced ability to navigate complex asset transfers and tax reporting scenarios, positioning yourself as the authoritative resource for colleagues seeking guidance.

With the CTOP® advantage, you'll approach audits with confidence, equipped with the expertise to address even the most challenging regulatory scenarios. Don't allow concerns about keeping pace with the rapidly evolving financial landscape to impede your progress. The CTOP® credential converts operational challenges into opportunities for career advancement and industry recognition in the trust operations field.

Financial Services Professionals
Are you feeling the pressure to excel in an increasingly complex financial operations environment? The CTOP® designation is not just about technical knowledge; it's about operational mastery and career advancement. Imagine approaching each day confident in your expertise to handle any operational challenge, from complex reconciliations to constantly evolving regulatory requirements.

With CTOP®, you'll have the skills to streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and drive operational efficiency. Picture yourself as the go-to expert for solving operational bottlenecks and implementing best practices. This designation is your pathway to becoming an indispensable asset in your organization's operational framework. Don't just keep up with industry changes – stay ahead of them with CTOP®.

Curriculum Outline

The Securities Operations program consists of three courses, each building upon the knowledge gained in the previous one. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to equip professionals with in-depth knowledge and skills across the diverse areas of trust and securities operations.

Securities Operations I: This course introduces trust operations, securities processing responsibilities, the securities marketplace, financial instruments, securities lending, the Uniform Principal and Income Act, and relevant regulations.

Securities Operations II: This course covers personal trust products/services, corporate trust and agency services, trust auditing, compliance and risk management, investment management products/services, and valuing hard-to-value assets.

Securities Operations III: This course prepares participants for the CTOP® certification exam. Topics include industry facilities, mortgage/asset-backed securities, auction rate securities, securities processing, operations management, global custody, foreign tax withholding, SEC rules on transfers, controls, reconciliations, audit practices, and a CTOP®

Exam

The CTOP® certification requires designation candidates to successfully pass their respective certification examination as one of the requirements to earn the designation. The CTOP® certification examination allows the CTOP® Board of Standards to determine if a candidate possesses the minimum required knowledge expected of a certified professional in the domain of Financial Securities Operations.

Prerequisites to sit for the CTOP® Certification Exam

The CTOP® Board of Standards has eligibility requirements which must be met before a candidate may earn the Cannon Certified Trust Operations Professional® designation. The exam application process ensures that candidates have met these requirements, which are:

• Three years of industry experience and a four-year degree from an accredited college or university
• Complete an approved study program
• Complete the CTOP® application
  • Submit a Letter of Recommendation
  • Agree and sign the CTOP® Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct Standards
  • Pay the CTOP® exam fee

OR

• Five years of industry experience
• Complete an approved study program
• Complete the CTOP® application
  • Submit a Letter of Recommendation
  • Agree and sign the CTOP® Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct Standards
  • Pay the CTOP® exam fee

CTOP® Exam Responsibility and Validity

As the issuing authority of the CTOP® certification, the Board of Standards is charged with creating exams that are representative of the appropriate knowledge and skills for a credentialed professional in the domain of Securities Operations. Cannon uses its extensive experience in training, supporting and preparing professionals in the financial services industry to establish the evaluation model and requisite examination questions that ensure candidates have the necessary knowledge competencies for a CTOP®.

Our faculty and exam writer’s deep and tenured experience in the areas of training and supporting professionals, learning theory and standardized test construction ensures exam questions are appropriate, match the certification competency sets and meet ISO quality standards of fairness and accessibility in compliance with ADA section 19.