APA Savings & Investments (LIA, Ireland) study plan
APA Savings & Investments (LIA, Ireland) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Savings & Investments
Define the main savings and investment product types available in Ireland and state the core feature of each
Explain the difference between deposit-based savings and market-linked investments in terms of capital risk and return
Identify the regulatory bodies and consumer-protection frameworks that govern savings and investment products
List the tax treatments (e.g. DIRT, exit tax, CGT) that apply to the main product categories and note the current rates to verify
Your checkpoint
A one-page product comparison grid covering at least six product types with risk, access, tax and typical-holder columns completed from memory and then corrected
Savings & Investments
Calculate gross and net returns on a deposit account given rate, term and tax rate
Distinguish between nominal and effective annual rates and convert between them
Compute the impact of compounding over multi-year horizons
Interpret a fund fact sheet and identify the charges that reduce net return
Your checkpoint
A worked calculation sheet of ten problems (deposit returns, EAR conversion, compounding, charge impact) with answers and method notes
Savings & Investments
Explain the risk-return relationship and classify products on a risk spectrum
Describe the role of diversification and asset allocation in a portfolio
Outline the main investment fund structures available to Irish retail investors and their key differences
Summarise the suitability and fact-find process an adviser must follow before recommending a product
Your checkpoint
A written risk-spectrum summary placing at least eight products on a low-to-high risk scale with a one-sentence justification each
Savings & Investments
Apply the full advice process to two contrasting client scenarios (low-risk saver vs. growth-oriented investor)
Justify product recommendations against stated client objectives, horizon and attitude to risk
Identify the disclosure and documentation requirements at each stage of the sales process
Explain the complaints and redress route available to a dissatisfied client
Your checkpoint
Two complete mock client recommendation write-ups (scenario, fact-find summary, recommendation, justification, disclosures) each under 500 words
Credit Union
Define the structure, ownership and governance model of an Irish credit union
Describe the common bond and membership eligibility rules
Outline the range of services a credit union may offer (savings, loans, and permitted additional services)
State the savings-protection and regulatory oversight arrangements that apply to credit unions
Your checkpoint
A structured one-page summary of credit union governance, membership and service scope, cross-checked against source material
Credit Union
Explain the savings products offered by credit unions and how returns and access compare with bank deposits
Describe the loan products offered and the typical assessment criteria used for lending decisions
Calculate the cost of a credit union loan and compare it with an equivalent bank loan
Outline the rules on share withdrawals, limits on savings and any restrictions members should know
Your checkpoint
A side-by-side comparison table of a credit union savings and loan offering versus a bank equivalent, including a worked loan-cost comparison
Savings & Investments & Credit Union
Integrate savings, investment and credit union knowledge into a single decision framework for a client
Answer mixed-domain practice questions under timed conditions
Identify and re-study the three weakest sub-topics revealed by practice performance
Explain when a credit union product is more appropriate than a market-linked investment, and vice versa
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-question mixed practice set completed with a scored answer log and a written list of the three weakest areas
Savings & Investments & Credit Union
Re-drill the three weakest areas identified in week 7 to a confident standard
Complete a full-length timed mock covering both domains
Review every incorrect mock answer and write the correct reasoning for each
Consolidate a one-page formula and key-facts sheet for final revision
Your checkpoint
A full timed mock completed with a corrections log for every wrong answer and a final one-page revision sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 80% on a self-set of ten return and compounding calculations without notes
Week 4: Both mock client recommendation write-ups pass a self-check against a checklist of advice-process and disclosure requirements
Week 6: Accurately reproduce the credit union governance, membership and lending summary from memory before checking notes
Week 7: Achieve 70% or higher on the timed mixed 40-question set and have a written list of the three weakest areas
Week 8: Achieve 75% or higher on the full timed mock and show a completed corrections log with no unresolved gaps