Training Courses

The training will focus on Source of Wealth and Source of Funds obligations and what to look out for as well as information and documentation a Subject Person is expected to collate when there is third-party involvement. Reference will also be made to the FIAU Guidance issued in July 2022, titled ‘On Obtaining Source of Wealth Information related to Parties other than the Customer’.

Bonds are one of the most popular assets classes  for many investors since they are generally seen as a reliable source of income with a defined investment term. This course will cover the basics of investing in bonds as well as the more complex features of this type of instrument. Participants will also learn about the key principles of bond pricing mechanisms, the structure of the fixed income markets, building a portfolio of bond instruments, and how to select bonds based on their characteristics such as yield and issuer credit analysis.  

In the first hour, participants will receive an introduction to how blockchain technologies work. The different types of tokens will presented in detail, with particular on utility tokens. These are blockchain-based assets that offer added value and can also automate processes and secure data with the help of smart contracts. In the lecture, case studies will be presented showing the enormous potential of this technology. The course will also highlight the risks and how red flags can be recognized as well as the opportunities and risks in respect of data security.

This course is an introduction to understanding how to use financial information to value and analyse companies. The course focuses on the practical application of financial statements analysis. Students will learn how to create and analyse financial ratios such as debt to equity, profit margins and more. Participants will gain analytical skills involved in reading and interpreting the financial health and profitability of a company through quantitative and qualitative techniques. A number of case studies and financial statements of actual companies will be analysed.

The Place of Supply (“POS”) concept is vital for VAT purposes. POS is the place where the supply is deemed to have taken place, i.e. deemed to be in one EU MS over another. Hence, determining whether VAT is applicable on the supply and at which rate depends on exemptions applicable or whether the supply is a good or a services. The POS considerations for goods follow different regulations than services. Additionally, special rules have been laid down for determining the POS of special goods and services.   The objectives of the sessions are to  create a refresher on the basic VAT concepts, determine the general rules for place of supply of goods and services and to understand special place of supply considerations.

This course, which will be spread over two sessions, is intended to educate and train professionals within Corporate Service Providers on the role of a risk manager and the main requirements of a risk management function emanating from the MFSA’s CSP Rulebook. The course will look into the practical implementation of the function, highlighting the main areas of risk which should be assessed.

The most important characteristic of a good line of credit afforded by a credit institution to an applicant is that is gets repaid. This requires a credit assessment process that could include profiling, economic stress testing, risk, financial and business analysis, and collateral availability. This course will address the credit proposal assessment process and give key practical insights to help attendees to carry out good quality assessments which will result in good mutually beneficial business.

Overview of the financial planning process and financial planning subject areas covering the fact-finding process, good practices, client needs, protection, borrowings, saving and investment, pension planning, estate and inheritance planning. Latest guidance regarding requirements to include client sustainability preferences in the fact-finding and advice.

This course has been tailored to provide attendees with a best practice approach in implementing a sound corporate governance framework, in line with the regulator’s expectations. The MFSA’s launch of the Corporate Governance Code in 2022 has established a set of principles which are to be applied by authorized persons on a ‘best effort basis’. The Corporate Governance Code is applicable across sectors, to all unlisted entities authorised by the MFSA.

This course has been tailored to provide attendees with a best practice approach in implementing a sound corporate governance framework, in line with the regulator’s expectations. The MFSA’s launch of the Corporate Governance Code in 2022 has established a set of principles which are to be applied by authorized persons on a ‘best effort basis’. The Corporate Governance Code is applicable across sectors, to all unlisted entities authorised by the MFSA.

‘Beneficial owner’ means any natural person who ultimately owns or controls a legal entity or express trust or similar legal arrangement, as well as any natural person on whose behalf or for the benefit of whom a transaction or activity is being conducted. Beneficial ownership transparency is an item of high priority at a global, EU and local level. In view of Malta’s previous greylisting, beneficial ownership concealment has been a high-priority agenda item locally, with a number of thematic visits taking place by the regulator. This area is fundamental to AML and needs to be given due importance; this course will help compliance practitioners to carry out their role more effectively.

One common legal requirement that is present in all legislation related to employees’ Health and Safety is that the Employer is always ultimately responsible for Employees’ proper health and safety at the workplace. With today’s work flexibility and work-life balance options that have been embraced by society, questions related to the safeguarding of employees’ health and safety have become as blurred as the distinction between when one is working and one is not working. This course will address Health and Safety issues and challenges and the importance of having a healthy working environment.

This course focuses on Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) practices when dealing with non-reputable and high-risk jurisdictions. Participants will learn the key regulatory requirements and techniques for identifying and assessing risks associated with countries that pose higher financial crime threats. The course will cover risk factors such as political instability, weak anti-money laundering frameworks, and high levels of corruption. Practical case studies and real-world examples will provide insights into how to implement effective EDD measures and ensure compliance when dealing with high-risk jurisdictions, helping attendees mitigate potential risks to their organizations.

This course will delve into the concept of sustainability, its importance and the different ways one can look at unlocking this powerful tool. Sustainability can be looked at from a financial perspective, through appropriate cost management, cash flow management and diversification. The importance of branding and marketing and the environmental, social and governance impact on the brand as well as the sustainability of human capital. Finally, the attendees will learn about how sustainability is achieved in other jurisdictions and lessons learnt from exploring the development of sustainability from a global perspective.

This comprehensive 3-hour session provides a detailed overview of debt recovery procedures in Malta, empowering creditors to reclaim unpaid debts effectively. The course delves into the legal framework, pre-action procedures, formal mechanisms, alternative dispute resolution options, and strategies for successful debt recovery. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the context and objectives of debt recovery.  

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a previously  existing role that has been rendered mandatory in certain  instances by the General Data Protection Regulation  (GDPR).  DPOs are responsible for overseeing data protection  strategy and implementation to ensure compliance with  GDPR requirements. Now that the GDPR is in force, it is  important that organisations are compliant with the many  regulations and operational requirements provided by  the GDPR.  This course is designed to help DPOs fully understand  their role, assisting them in setting up of the right  processes and procedures as well as control measures  and helping DPOs determine whether the appointment  of a DPO is mandatory for their organisation. In view of  this and the significant possible consequences of noncompliance,  it is recommended that DPOs attend  this course.

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) is an EU Directive regulating managers of Alternative Investment Funds which are either licensed in, or marketed into, the EU. This course seeks to de-mystify the AIFMD, giving a practical account of the Directive, Maltese rules and regulations transposing the Directive, and structural and operational considerations for AIFMs.    

Directors and executives of companies operating in all sectors need to have a clear understanding of the financial statements that their companies prepare and which they would be signing off.  This course is aimed at directors and executives who are not accountants or have a strong financial background.  With the many responsibilities and level of accountability that these executive positions hold, it is suggested that persons in these important positions are well versed in the understanding of financial statements.

As far as the creation of AML and Financial Crime Compliance policies is concerned, the gatekeeper, controller and the place where the “buck stops”, is the MLRO. This is a critically important position within any firm covered by AML Rules. When it comes to the identification, detection, escalation, reporting, managing and training of staff on Anti-Money Laundering procedures, it is the responsibility of the MLRO to ensure this all happens as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Shareholders of private companies often may encounter difficulty when it comes to establishing a value of their business. This course will address the concept of valuations, through company and goodwill analysis, financial modelling and valuation based on net asset values, all of which may come up with different results! This is an interesting and thought provoking course for 'non accountant' shareholders who are interested to learn more about company financial analysis with special focus on how to value a company.