Subject areas for which FIP is responsible involve the specialty areas of tax law as it pertains to financial institutions and products, including banks, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, asset securitization arrangements, debt modifications, options, futures contracts, original issue discount obligations, hedging arrangements, annuities, life insurance contracts, other types of innovative financial instruments and entities, and tax-advantaged bonds. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.