About AIRA's Certified Investor Relations Officer Program

As capital markets continue to evolve, disclosure requirements and expectations of listed entities also grow, and investor relations has shifted from that of a compliance and communications role to a more highly accountable strategic advisor and conduit between the company and the market. The increasing importance now being placed on this role and industry professionals necessitates the need for enhanced ethical and professional standards.  

AIRA’s CIRO program seeks to support and recognise higher-level performance and the greater demands being placed on industry professionals through a specific program and a commitment to audited Continuing Professional Development. 

The intent of the certification is to enhance the standing of senior practitioners and build confidence amongst C-Suite, Board and capital markets stakeholders in the role and individuals holding the CIRO designation.

Why is Certification Important?

Certification should provide:

• Confidence across the company executive and the Board in the IRO’s views and guidance
• A higher standard of conduct
• A demonstrated commitment to professional development of IROs, recognising the importance of the CIRO who can give “the likely view of the market and key stakeholders"

Key benefits to IRO’s

On completion of the CIRO program, certification holders will be able to:

• Use post-nominals "CIRO"
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development
• Encourage innovation and shared learning amongst CIRO peers
• Become part of an elite network of industry professionals.

Policy Principles for the Certified Investor Relations Officer Professional Designation

AIRA will apply and be guided by the following policy principles in the ongoing operation of the Certification Program to ensure that it is:

• worthwhile - that candidates and their sponsors consider that the certification makes a difference to the company and to stakeholders.
• desirable - that the achievement of the Certification inspires those who have completed the Diploma to seek continuous professional development and career progression.
• transparent - that processes involved in achieving the professional designation are clearly articulated, and considered fair and equitable.
• credible - that the process, and recipients, are respected.
• influential - that the impact for advocacy in a global market is positive and generates confidence.
• efficient - that the cost and time required to produce the outcome is necessary. The process of offering a certification is not ‘activity for activity’ sake.
• effective - that the process and professional designation achieve the outcome desired.
• fair – that the principles of natural justice and due process will apply. 

Program Fees

 
Prices are quoted in AUD and are inclusive of GST.

* Application fee is applicable to those applying under the grandfathering provisions and self-nomination.
** 3 x Online Learning Modules are a study-based requirement to complete this program.  There is no requirement for individuals who have completed the modules ahead of enrolling into the program to undertake them a second time.

How to Apply

There are two options to apply for AIRA’s Certified Investor Relations Officer (CIRO) program.

Option 1: Grandfathering Provision

AIRA will accept applications from suitably qualified senior investor relations professionals to be grandfathered into the Certified Investor Relations Officer program.  Applications under this provision will be accepted for the period from 1 March 2021 to 31 July 2021.   The grandfathering provision permits the most senior industry professionals to be considered to attain the CIRO professional designation without having to complete the formal educational requirements.  Eligibility under the grandfathering provision will be based on:

a. application
b. work experience - as set out in the eligibility criteria above
c. education - educational requirements under the grandfathering provision are not required.  An independent Assessment Committee will have total discretion over a applicants suitability.
d. professional contribution that includes at least three of the following:

• a minimum of one term on the AIRA board, and / or
• recipient of an AIRA Fellow recognition, and / or

• spoken at AIRA's Diploma of Investor Relations, Certificate of Investor Relations, ESG for Investor Relations or other AIRA courses or at AIRA's annual conference, half day conference or another virtual event, and / or
• involvement in AIRA's mentoring program, and / or
• involvement in AIRA Committees and / or
• other industry involvement.

An individual's acceptance into the program under the grandfathering provision will be determined by an Assessment Committee.

On attaining the professional designation, recipients will be required to complete the ongoing CPD requirements of 20 hours annually.

Option 2:  Self Nomination

Online applications can be lodged by those not eligible to join under the grandfathering provision for senior investor relations professionals, on the basis that you meet the eligibility criteria.