CAA Module 1 Resource Guide

2014 Edition V4

Certified Actuarial Analyst

Resource Guide
Module 1
2014/2015

November 2014

Disclaimer: This Module 1 Resource Guide has been prepared by and/or on behalf of the Institute
and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). The IFoA does not accept any responsibility and/or liability
whatsoever for the content or use of this resource guide. This resource guide does not constitute
advice and should not be relied upon as such. The IFoA does not guarantee any outcome or result
from the application of this resource guide and no warranty as to the accuracy or correctness of this
resource guide is provided.
Copyright: All material in this resource guide is the copyright material of the IFoA, unless otherwise
stated. Use may be made of these pages for non-commercial and study/research purposes without
permission from the IFoA. Commercial use of this material may only be made with the express, prior
written permission of the IFoA. Material provided by any third party and incorporated into this resource
guide, is likely to be the copyright material of that author. Permission to copy or otherwise use such
material must be obtained from the author.
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (RC 000243)

CAA Module 1 Resource Guide

2014 Edition V4

Module 1
Finance and Financial Mathematics
Certified Actuarial Analyst
Resource Guide
Version 4 updated 10 November 2014

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

CAA Module 1 Resource Guide

2014 Edition V4

Welcome to the Resource Guide for Module 1 Finance and Financial

Mathematics the entry test module for the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Certified
Actuarial Analyst qualification launched in 2014. The purpose of this Resource Guide is to
provide you with a one stop shop virtual guide to all there is to know about this module:
registration, contact us details; the syllabus, assessment, learning resources, and
questions and answers.
1.0

Entering for the Exams and IFoA Student Membership

Guidance on how to register for the Module 1exam, what to expect at the exam
centre and contact details for inquiries can be found in the Student Actuarial
Analyst Handbook available on our website.
The handbook also contains information on what it means to be an Analyst Student
Member of the IFoA, including membership requirements and the IFoA Ethical Code.

2.0

CAA Course and Qualification Structure:

The CAA Qualification Structure
Module Title

Module Reference

Assessment

Fundamental
Mathematics & Statistics

CAA (0)

2 hour* Computer Based

Assessment

Finance and Financial

Mathematics

CAA (1)

2 hour* Computer Based

Assessment

Statistics and Models

CAA (2)

2 hour* Computer Based

Assessment

Long Term Actuarial

Mathematics

CAA (3)

2 hour* Computer Based

Assessment

Short Term Actuarial

Mathematics

CAA (4)

2 hour* Computer Based

Assessment

Models and Audit Trails

CAA (5)

3 hour examination.

Online Professional
Awareness Test (OPAT)

OPAT

90 minute examination

*An additional 15 minutes will be allowed before the start of the exam for
administrative purposes which include agreeing to a statement of confidentiality,
reading instructions and working through basic sample questions which will enable
you to become familiar with the format of the exam.

3.0

In addition to passing the above exams, students must complete at least one year of
relevant work experience (Work Based Skills), comply with the IFoAs ethical code
and adhere to the IFoAs Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
The Syllabus

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The Module 1 syllabus can found in Appendix One attached to this Resource Guide
4.0

Exam Preparation Recommended Study Hours

The actual amount of time each student needs to spend on a particular subject will
vary from student to student. Quality of study time is far more important than quantity
of study time. However, the following guidelines are suggested:

Module 0 - 4

Between 125 and 150 hours depending on

subject and an individual students past
educational background in the subject

Module 5

5.0

Key Learning Resources

5.1

Face to face tuition

50 hours

At the present time, there is no face to face tuition of which the IFoA is aware. Please
see Section 5.2 for online tuition provision.
5.2

Online Learning
There is one learning provider based in the UK that will be offering online learning
resources for the CAA qualification.
BPP Actuarial Education
www.bppacted.com
Email: ActEd@bpp.com
Tel: +44 (0)1235 550005

5.3

Additional Resources for Purchase

An Introduction to the Mathematics of Finance: A Deterministic Approach, Stephen
Garrett, 2nd Edition, 2013, Butterworth-Heineman.

5.4

Free Online Resources

Listed below are samples of free web-based resources in which free learning support
links for most, but not all, of the topics in Module 1 have been identified. To access
these materials, cut and paste the http links listed below into your browser.
Please note that the content of these links has not been quality assured by the IFoA.
These materials should not be used as your primary learning resource but may
re-enforce and/or supplement other sources.

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5.4.0 TOPIC 1 The key principles of finance

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Principles_of_Finance
https://faculty.unlv.edu/pthistle/FIN301-London/Chapter01.pdf
5.4.

TOPIC 2 Cash flow models

http://www.ftadviser.com/2012/09/20/training/adviser-guides/guide-tocash-flow-modelling-wOtRUYN32o2i948eSNsl0L/article.html

5.4.2

TOPIC 3 The time value of money using the concepts of compound

interest and discounting
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Principles_of_Finance - Chapter 2

5.4.3 TOPIC 4 Loan repayments by regular instalments of interest

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_rate_(finance)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_interest_rate
5.4.4 TOPIC 5 The use of discounted cash flow techniques in investment
project appraisal
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Principles_of_Finance - Chapters 2 and 4.
5.4.5

TOPIC 6 Investment and risk characteristics

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/investmentrisk.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_risk
http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/Eng/resources/educationalPrograms/ftof/Pages/invest-2-3.aspx
http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/risk-characteristics-investments

5.4.6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_(finance)
TOPIC 7 Elementary compound interest problems assuming a taxfree investor
http://www.mathsisfun.com/money/compound-interest.html

5.4.7

TOPIC 8 The term structure of interest rates

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/termstructure.asp

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yield_to_maturity
6.0

Assessment for this module

This module is assessed by means of a 2 hour computer based examination

(with an additional 15 minutes before the start of the exam for administrative
purposes).

The module assessment comprises of 65 questions.

Pass standards Pass standards are set by the IFoA Examinations Board.
Details of pass standards for CAA Exams will be published as soon as
possible.

All exams will be administered through Pearson VUE test centres located in
regions across the globe. Please visit our Pearson VUE website and click on
Locate a test centre to find your nearest Pearson VUE testing centre.

7.0

Exam Centre Resources

7.1

Approved Calculator
The IFoA approved calculator for the Certified Actuarial Analyst exams is the Texas
Instruments TI-30 Multiview (with or without suffix). An example of this model is
shown below:

This will be the only physical calculator allowed into the exam. Please expect your
calculator to be checked by the proctors at the exam centre. This process will include
deleting any information stored on the memory of your calculator.
Please note: Pearson VUE staff will not be issuing physical calculators should you
fail to bring your own IFoA approved calculator to the examination. In the instance
that you fail to bring your own IFoA approved calculator, an on-screen scientific
calculator will be available during the exam [see 7.2 below for details].
The approved Certified Actuarial Analyst calculator is available to purchase from our
eShop.
7.2

On-screen Calculator

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An on-screen scientific calculator will be accessible from all examination screens

during the entirety of the examination. Please find an example below of an on-screen
scientific calculator.

7.3

Formulae and Tables

An on-screen PDF of the Formulae and Tables will be available to access from
examination screens during the entirety of the examination. A screen shot of how the
on-screen Formulae and Tables will be laid out is shown below.

It is strongly recommended that you make yourself familiar with the Formulae and
Tables before sitting the CAA exams. The Formulae and Tables book is available to
purchase from our eShop.
7.4

Making notes
Scrap paper, for use in the examinations, will be provided by Pearson VUE staff. This
will consist of a notebook that contains multiple erasable note boards or individual
erasable note boards, as well as an erasable fine tip marker pen. You will have

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access to as many note boards as required and will be able to use the note boards,
as well as the marker pen, for the duration of the exam.
Please note, for security reasons, Pearson VUE do not provide erasers for the note
board and pens.
Both the note board and pen will be collected by Pearson VUE staff upon completion
of the exam.
8.0

Sample Questions
A Module 1 Specimen Examination Paper with sample examination questions is
provided in Appendix Two attached to this Resource Guide. Only 20 sample
questions are listed in the Module 1 Specimen Examination Paper, although there will
be a total of 65 questions in the actual Module 1 examination. The questions found in
the specimen paper will not be included in the actual Module 1 examination.

9.0

Exam Centre Administration

To give you an idea of what you can expect when sitting your exam at a
Pearson VUE test centre, watch the short video on our website.

Before beginning your exam, 15 minutes will be allocated at the start in which
you will be required to agree to a Non-Disclosure and General Terms of Use
Agreement. You will also have the option to participate in an exam tutorial in
this time.
Please note that you must agree to the Non-Disclosure and General Terms of
Use Agreement in order to sit your exam. Failure to do so will result in your not
being permitted to sit your exam.

Please make yourself familiar with the IFoA and Pearson VUE testing policies.
These can be found in the Student Handbook as well as by logging in to your
Pearson VUE online account.

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APPENDIX ONE

Module 1
Finance and Financial Mathematics
Certified Actuarial Analyst
Syllabus

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Aim
The aim of the Finance and Financial Mathematics syllabus is to provide grounding in finance and
financial mathematics with simple applications.

TOPIC 1
The key principles of finance
Indicative study and assessment weighting 5%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Define the principal terms in use in investment and asset management

(ii)

Explain the following key principles of finance:

(a)

the relationship between finance and the real resources and

between finance and the objectives of an organisation

(b)

the relationship between the stakeholders in an organisation

(including lenders and investors)

(c)

the role and effects of the capital markets

(d)

agency theory

(e)

the theory of the maximisation of shareholder wealth

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TOPIC 2
Cashflow models
Indicative study and assessment weighting 5%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Describe how to use a generalised cashflow model to describe financial transactions.

(ii)

For a given cashflow process:

(iii)

(a)

State the inflows and outflows in each future time period

(b)

Explain whether the amount or the timing (or both) is fixed or uncertain

Describe, in the form of a cashflow model, the operation of: a zero-coupon bond; a
fixed-interest security; an index-linked security; cash on deposit; an equity; an
interest-only loan; a repayment loan; a property; and an annuity certain

TOPIC 3
The time value of money using the concepts of compound interest
and discounting
Indicative study and assessment weighting 15%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Accumulate a single investment at a constant rate of interest under the operation of:

simple interest

compound interest

(ii)

Define the present value of a future payment

(iii)

Describe how a compound interest model can be used to represent the effect of
investing a sum of money over a period

(iv)

Demonstrate how interest rates or discount rates may be expressed in terms of

different time periods:
(a)

Define the relationship between the rates of interest and discount over one
effective period arithmetically and by general reasoning

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(b)

Define the relationships between the rate of interest payable once per
effective period, the rate of interest payable p times per time period and the
force of interest

(c)

Explain the difference between nominal and effective rates of interest and
derive effective rates from nominal rates

(v)

Explain what is meant by real and money interest rates

(vi)

Calculate the present value and the accumulated value of a stream of payments
using specified rates of interest and the present value at a real rate of interest,
assuming a constant rate of inflation

(vii)

Discount and accumulate a sum of money or a series (possibly infinite) of

cashflows to any point in time where:

(viii)

(ix)

(a)

the rate of interest or discount is constant

(b)

the rate of interest or discount varies with time but is not a continuous
function of time

(c)

the rate of cashflow and/or the force of interest are continuous functions of
time

Calculate the present value and accumulated value of a series of payments made at
regular intervals under the operation of specified rates of interest where the first
payment is:
(a)

deferred for a period of time

(b)

not deferred

Apply the more important compound interest functions including annuities certain:
(a)

Apply formulae in terms of i, v, n, d, , i(p) and d(p) for a n , s n , a n( p ) , s n( p ) ,

( p)
( p)
a n , sn , a n , sn , a n and s n .

(x)

(b)

Apply formulae in terms of i, v, n, d, , i(p) and d(p) for

a ( p )
m n

and

a
m n

a ( p ) , m a n
m n

a .
m n

Calculate quantities using an equation of value, where payment or receipt is certain

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TOPIC 4
Loan repayments by regular instalments of interest and capital
Indicative study and assessment weighting 20%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Describe how a loan may be repaid by regular instalments of interest and capital

(ii)

Describe flat rates and annual effective rates of interest

(iii)

Calculate a schedule of repayments under a loan and identify the interest and capital
components of annuity payments where the annuity is used to repay a loan for the
case where annuity payments are made once per effective time period or p times per
effective time period/ and identify the capital outstanding at any time

TOPIC 5
The use of discounted cashflow techniques in investment
project appraisal
Indicative study and assessment weighting 20%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Calculate the net present value and accumulated profit of the receipts and payments
from an investment project at given rates of interest

(ii)

Calculate the internal rate of return implied by the receipts and payments from an
investment project

(iii)

Calculate the money-weighted rate of return, the time-weighted rate of return and the
linked internal rate of return on an investment or a fund

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TOPIC 6
Investment and risk characteristics
Indicative study and assessment weighting 5%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Describe the investment and risk characteristics of the following types of asset
available for investment purposes:
(a)

fixed interest government borrowings

(b)

fixed interest borrowing by other bodies

(c)

shares and other equity-type finance

(d)

derivatives

TOPIC 7
Elementary compound interest problems assuming a tax-free investor
Indicative study and assessment weighting 25%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Calculate the present value of payments from a fixed interest security where the
coupon rate is constant and the security is redeemed in one Instalment

(ii)

Calculate the running yield and the redemption yield from a fixed
interest security [as in 7 (i)], given the price

(iii)

Calculate the present value or yield from an ordinary share and a property, given
simple (but not necessarily constant) assumptions about the growth of dividends
and rents

(iv)

Calculate the present value of an index-linked bond, given assumptions about the
rate of inflation

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TOPIC 8
The term structure of interest rates
Indicative study and assessment weighting 5%

Learning Objectives

(i)

Describe the main factors influencing the term structure of interest rates

(ii)

Explain what is meant by the par yield and the yield to maturity

(iii)

Explain what is meant by discrete spot rates and forward rates

(iv)

Define the relationships between discrete spot rates and forward rates

(v)

Calculate discrete spot rates and forward rates

END OF SYLLABUS

Disclaimer: This syllabus has been prepared by and/or on behalf of the Institute and Faculty of
Actuaries (IFoA). The IFoA does not accept any responsibility and/or liability whatsoever for the
content or use of this syllabus. This syllabus does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon
as such. The IFoA does not guarantee any outcome or result from the application of this syllabus and
no warranty as to the accuracy or correctness of this syllabus is provided.
Copyright: All material in this syllabus is the copyright material of the IFoA, unless otherwise stated.
Use may be made of these pages for non-commercial and study/research purposes without
permission from the IFoA. Commercial use of this material may only be made with the express, prior
written permission of the IFoA. Material provided by any third party and incorporated into this syllabus,
is likely to be the copyright material of that author. Permission to copy or otherwise use such material
must be obtained from the author.
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (RC 000243)

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APPENDIX TWO

Module 1
Finance and Financial Mathematics
Certified Actuarial Analyst
Specimen Examination Paper

Please Note: This Specimen Examination Paper acts as an example of

the types of questions that will appear in the Module 1 Exam Paper.
Although only 20 sample questions are listed in this specimen paper,
there will be a total of 65 questions in the actual Module 1 examination.
The questions found in the Module 1 Specimen Examination Paper will
not be included in the actual Module 1 examination.

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2014 Edition V4

Credit risk is:

A

The risk that a bond will be given a low credit rating.

The risk that a lender will not provide a loan.

The risk that the borrower will not repay the loan.

The risk that a bond will be given a high credit rating.

Answer: C
[TOPIC 6]
2

A local authority issues a fixed interest security. The local authority cash flows will be:
A

An initial positive cash flow, a single known negative cash flow on the specified future
date, and a series of smaller known negative cash flows on a regular set of specified
dates in the future.

An initial negative cash flow, a single known positive cash flow on the specified future
date, and a series of smaller known positive cash flows on a regular set of specified
dates in the future.

An initial positive cash flow, a single known negative cash flow on the specified future
date, and a series of smaller variable negative cash flows on a regular set of specified
dates in the future.

An initial negative cash flow, a single known positive cash flow on the specified future
date, and a series of smaller variable positive cash flows on a regular set of specified
dates in the future.

Answer: A
[TOPIC 2]
3

500 is invested in a fixed interest account. No further deposits or withdrawals are made. At the
end of 10 years the value of the account has increased to 700.
What is the annual rate of compound interest that has been paid over the 10 years?
A
B
C
D

3.3%
3.4%
4.0%
14.0%

Answer: B
[TOPIC 7]

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An investment is discounted for 28 days at a simple rate of discount of 4.5% p.a. You may
assume that a year is 365 days.
The annual effective rate of interest is:
A
B
C
D

4.41%
4.50%
4.52%
4.61%

Answer: D
[TOPIC 4]
5

An individual needs to meet a liability of 5,000 due in exactly 5 years time. To save to meet
this liability the individual wishes to save a fixed amount each year in a savings account that
pays 2% p.a. compound interest. The first payment will be made today and a further three
payments will be paid on each anniversary of today. No further deposits or withdrawals are
made.
How much should the individual save each year?
A
B
C
D

942
1,166
1,189
1,250

Answer: B
[TOPIC 3]
6

A bank offers a customer a loan of 65,000 repayable by level annual instalments of 5,127.69
payable annually in arrear over a period of 20 years.
The effective rate of interest per annum that will be paid by the customer on the loan is?
A
B
C
D

4.8%
4.9%
5.0%
5.1%

Answer: A
[TOPIC 4]
7

A credit company offers a loan of $50,000. The loan is to be repaid by level monthly instalments
in arrears of $407.63 over a 25 year term. Interest is to be charged at an effective rate of 9%
p.a.
Calculate the interest paid in the final year to the nearest 1.
A
B
C
D

222
408
4671
4892

Answer: A
[TOPIC 4]

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A bank makes a loan of 3,710 to be repaid in instalments annually in arrear. The first
instalment is 500, the second 480 and so on with the payments reducing by 20 per annum
until the end of the 15th year after which there are no further payments. The rate of interest
charged by the lender is 6% per annum effective.
Calculate the capital component of the second payment to the nearest 1.
A
B
C
D

206
223
274
277

Answer: C
[TOPIC 4]
9

A bank made a loan of 100,000 to be repaid by level instalments of 14,902.91, payable

annually in arrear for 10 years from the date the loan was granted. The annual repayments were
calculated at an effective rate of interest of 8% p.a.
At the start of the 8th eighth year, immediately after the 7th payment has been made, the
borrower asked for the term of the loan to be extended by 2 years. The bank agreed to do this
on condition that the rate of interest is increased to an effective rate of 12% per annum for the
remainder of the term and that all future payments are paid quarterly in arrear.
Calculate the new quarterly payment to the nearest 1.
A
B
C
D

2,336
2,551
3,726
10,206

Answer: B
[TOPIC 4]
10

The owner of a caf is considering investing in a small project. The project involves buying a
vegetable juicing machine for $10,000. She expects to be able to sell 1,000 vegetable juice
drinks each year at $2.00 per cup. Each cup will cost $0.20 to produce. She expects the
machine to have a life of 6 years after which she will sell it to a scrap metal merchant for $1,000.
Calculate, to the nearest $1, the net present value of the project at an interest rate of 5% p.a.
assuming that the drinks are sold continuously throughout each year.
A
B
C
D

-$637
-$118
+$109
+$1,149

Answer: C
[TOPIC 5]

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A property developer is considering investing in a project. The project is a special arrangement

with a local business that owns an empty office building and is in need of short-term cash.
Under the terms of the arrangement the developer will buy the building for 5,000,000. In order to
in advance. The business will then buy back the property from him at twice the original sale price
i.e. 10,000,000.
Calculate to the nearest 5,000 the annual rent the developer needs to charge in order to obtain an
A
B
C
D

120,000
200,000
215,000
245,000

Answer: C
[TOPIC 5]
12

An investor places 25,000 into a fund on 1 January and holds the fund for 2 years. He invests a
further 5,000 on 1 July of the 1st year. At the end of the 2-year period on 31 December of the
2nd year, the fund is valued at 32,700.
Calculate, to one decimal place, the annual money weighted rate of return that the investor
achieved on the fund over the period.
A
B
C
D

4.4%
4.6%
4.8%
5.0%

Answer: B
[TOPIC 5]
13

A pension fund was valued at $40,000,000 on 1 January. The returns achieved on the pension
fund during the year were as follows:
1 January to 31 March
+ 5.4%
1 April to 30 June
+ 0.1%
1 July to 30 September
+ 0.6%
1 October to 31 December
+ 8.2%
The fund manager invested $5,000,000 into the fund on 31 March and withdrew $8,000,000 from
the fund on 30 September. At the end of the year he calculated the time weighted return (TWRR)
on the fund to be 14.8%.
What can you deduce about the money weighted rate of return (MWRR) on the fund?
A

No conclusions can be drawn about the MWRR

The MWRR was greater than 14.8%

The MWRR was 14.8%

The MWRR was less than 14.8%

Answer: D
[TOPIC 5]

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A call option is where:

A

The holder has the option to buy a specified asset at an agreed price

The holder has the option to sell a specified asset at an agreed price

The holder has the obligation to buy a specified asset at an agreed price

The holder has the obligation to sell a specified asset at an agreed price

Answer: A
[TOPIC 1]
15

A bond is redeemable at par in 5 years time. Coupons are paid quarterly in arrear at a rate of
5% p.a.
The price of the bond per 100 nominal which would give an investor a redemption yield of 7%
p.a. effective is:
A
B
C
D

155.42
92.69
92.33
91.80

Answer: C
[TOPIC 7]
16

A fixed interest bond was issued at 110 per 100 nominal 6 years ago and will be redeemed in
2 years time at 105 per 100 nominal. An investor has just purchased the bond for 97 per
100 nominal. Coupons of 4.50 are paid annually in arrear with the next coupon due in exactly
1 years time. The bond will be redeemed at par in exactly 2 years time.
The current running yield on the bond is:
A
B
C
D

4.6%
4.5%
4.3%
4.1%

Answer: A
[TOPIC 7]
17

An investor wishes to purchase a portfolio of shares in a company. The company does not
expect to pay dividends for the next 2 years at which point it will pay a dividend of $0.10 per
share. Dividends are expected to be paid annually thereafter and increase at 5% p.a.
The price per share the investor should pay to achieve a return of 7% p.a. on the portfolio, based
on the assumption that the shares are held in perpetuity is:
A
B
C
D

$1.25
$2.00
$4.59
$5.20

Answer: C
[TOPIC 2]

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An investor is considering purchasing a share currently priced at 25.00 Dividends are paid
annually. The next dividend is expected in 1 years time.
The dividend that has just been paid was 0.50. Based on previous company accounts the
investor expects annual dividends to continue and to increase in line with inflation at 3% p.a.
Assuming that the share is held in perpetuity, calculate the annual yield, to the nearest 1%,
implied by the share price.
A
B
C
D

2%
3%
4%
5%

Answer: D
[TOPIC 7]
19

An index-linked bond is issued with a term of 10 years. The bond will be redeemed at par and
annual coupons are to be paid at 5%. Both coupons and the redemption payment will increase in
line with inflation from the date of issue. Inflation is assumed to be 2.5% p.a. throughout the
term.
Assuming an interest rate of 7% p.a. effective, what is the purchase price of the bond per 100
nominal?
A
B
C
D

85.95
90.61
103.88
104.85

Answer: D
[TOPIC 7]
20

The following spot rates apply:

1-year spot rate
2-year spot rate
3-year spot rate
4-year spot rate

2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
4.0%

Calculate the 2-year forward rate from time t=2, expressed as an annual rate of interest to one
decimal place.
A
B
C
D

3.2%
3.7%
4.5%
5.0%

Answer: D
[TOPIC 8]

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Page 23

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