Free CSI IFC Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

An income trust is an investment trust that holds income-producing assets, such as debt instruments, royalty interests, or real properties. It can be structured as either a personal investment fund or a commercial trust with publicly traded closed-end fund shares. The main attraction of income trusts, in addition to certain tax preferences for some investors, is their stated goal of paying out consistent cash flows for investors, which is especially attractive when cash yields on bonds are low12

References = Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) - Module 2: Investment Products - Section 2.3: Income Trusts3 and web search results from search_web(query="income trust")12

3: https://www.ifse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CIFC-Module-2.pdf

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

The cash flow from operations to total debt ratio assesses a company’s ability to meet its debt obligations using cash generated from operations. The feedback from the document states:

"The cash flow from operations/total debt ratio gauges a company’s ability to repay the funds it has borrowed. A company’s annual cash flow should therefore be adequate to meet these commitments."

 B is correct because assessing historical differences in the rate of return per unit of risk of similar mutual funds helps a Dealing Representative to compare the performance and risk-adjusted returns of different mutual funds and select the most suitable one for a client’s risk tolerance and investment objectives. Comparing historical rates of return between different types of mutual funds (A) does not account for the risk involved in each type of fund. Referencing the fund code for each mutual fund that is being compared © does not provide any information about the fund’s characteristics, features, or suitability. The rights a client has if there is a desire to cancel the purchased mutual fund (D) are not relevant for determining a suitable mutual fund for a client.

According to the Canadian Investment Funds Course, an investment objective is the goal or purpose of investing money. An investment objective reflects the investor’s desired return, risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs. An investment objective is one of the key components of the know-your-client (KYC) information that a mutual fund representative must obtain and update from a client. The KYC information helps the representative to assess the suitability of any investment recommendation or trade instruction for the client2

In this case, Sarah and Kyle are a married couple who want to save towards a purchase of a sailboat. They are able to save $800 each month and have a tax-free savings account (TFSA) in Kyle’s name with $5,000. They want you to recommend an investment for their monthly savings to help them achieve their goal faster. Before you can make any recommendation, you need to gather more information about their investment objective for these savings. You need to know how much return they expect, how much risk they are willing to take, how long they plan to invest, and how easily they want to access their money. These factors will help you to determine the most suitable investment option for them.

Therefore, the question you should ask them next is C. What is your investment objective for these savings?

The Annual Information Form (AIF) is a document that provides detailed information about a mutual fund, such as its history, structure, management, fees, expenses, risks, policies, and performance. The AIF also contains information regarding the Independent Review Committee (IRC) compensation, which is the amount of fees and expenses paid by the fund to the IRC members for their services. The IRC is a committee of independent individuals who oversee the fund manager’s decisions on conflict of interest matters and act in the best interests of the fund and its investors12

References = web search results from search_web(query="Independent Review Committee compensation")12 and Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) - Module 2: Investment Products - Section 2.2: Mutual Funds3

3: https://www.ifse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CIFC-Module-2.pdf

Tax deductions are amounts that reduce your total income before calculating your tax payable. They lower your marginal tax rate, which is the tax rate that applies to your last dollar of income. For example, if Wilma’s total income is $50,000 and she claims $5,000 in tax deductions, her taxable income will be $45,000 and her marginal tax rate will be lower than if she had no deductions. Therefore, A is the correct answer. References: All deductions, credits, and expenses - Personal income tax - Canada.ca

A is correct because mortgage mutual funds typically pay monthly distributions of interest to their investors, as they invest in mortgages that generate regular interest income. If interest rates fall, the mutual fund’s net asset value per unit (NAVPU) will increase (B), not decline, as the value of the existing mortgages in the fund will rise. Mortgage mutual funds are suitable for low to moderate risk investors ©, not only for high risk investors, as they provide stable income and capital preservation. Mortgage mutual funds are not risk-free (D), even if the mortgages are National Housing Act (NHA) insured, as they still face credit risk, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk.

A position of influence is an outside activity that places the Dealing Representative in a position of power or influence over a client or potential client, such as a trustee, executor, or director of a charitable organization. A position of influence may create a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest between the Dealing Representative and the client. Therefore, the MFDA rules require that a Dealing Representative must report any position of influence to the dealer and obtain the dealer’s approval before engaging in such activity. The dealer must also ensure that the position of influence does not impair the Dealing Representative’s ability to act in the best interests of the client and that the client is aware of the nature and extent of the position of influence12

References = Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC) - Module 1: The Financial Services Industry - Section 1.3: Know Your Client (KYC)3 and web search results from search_web(query="positions of influence and mutual fund dealers association rules")12

3: https://www.ifse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CIFC-Module-1.pdf

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Financial circumstances are a critical component of the Know Your Client (KYC) process, as they determine the client’s ability to commit savings to investments and the level of risk they can assume. Mortgage documents provide insights into the client’s debt and obligations, which are essential for assessing financial circumstances. The feedback from the document states:

"Financial circumstances are an important consideration in judging the suitability of investments, because they determine the amount of savings clients can commit to investing and the level of risk they can assume. Marc’s client’s mortgage document will give Marc valuable insights into the level of debt and mortgage obligations his client has, helping in evaluating the client’s financial circumstances."

The Strategic Investment Planning (SIP) process is a four-step process that helps advisors to create and deliver customized investment plans for their clients. The four steps are:

Clarify Client Status, Problems and Opportunities: This step involves gathering information about the client’s personal and financial situation, goals, risk tolerance, and investment knowledge. The advisor also identifies the client’s problems and opportunities, such as tax issues, estate planning needs, or market trends.

Identify Strategies and Present the Plan: This step involves analyzing the information collected in the previous step and developing strategies to address the client’s problems and opportunities. The advisor also presents the plan to the client, explaining the rationale, benefits, costs, and risks of the proposed strategies. This is the stage where Sonya mentions factors such as inflation, interest rates, and rates of return, as they are relevant to the investment approaches she is offering to Elijah.

Implement the Plan: This step involves executing the agreed-upon strategies with the client’s consent. The advisor also ensures that the necessary documentation and transactions are completed.

Monitor and Update: This step involves reviewing the performance of the plan and making adjustments as needed. The advisor also communicates with the client regularly and updates the plan according to any changes in the client’s situation or goals.