Certificate in Financial Planning

The benchmark qualification for financial advisers

The Certificate in Financial Planning is ideal for those intending to become financial advisers or who work in a related administrative or technical support role. It develops an understanding of the sector, reflecting the priorities of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) and satisfying their requirements with regard to ‘appropriate’ qualifications for financial advisers.

By completing the Certificate you will gain a solid grounding in the financial services market in general and financial planning advice in particular.

The qualification will develop your knowledge and understanding of:

• regulatory issues;
• the mechanics and purpose of the main investment products; and
• the process of giving advice to clients.

Successful completion will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the market and will confirm your ability to function effectively within it as a qualified provider of financial advice.

Certificate in Financial Planning and Long Term Care Insurance

The completion of a further Long term care insurance exam by Certificate in Financial Planning or equivalent holders, results in the award of this qualification. This caters for the regulatory examination needs of anyone who advises on investments and long term care insurance products.

Why the Certificate in Financial Planning?

The Certificate delivers many advantages:

• As a holder you will meet the FSA regulatory examination requirements and the ‘appropriate’ examination standards for financial advisers as published by the FSSC – www.fssc.org.uk
• Develops a broad-based knowledge and understanding of core financial planning topics.
• Provides online exam sittings that enable you to enter for the exam when you are ready, with provisional results provided instantaneously.
• Upon completion you are entitled to apply to use the designation ‘CertPFS®’ – the industry designation for financial advisers (membership and Continuing Professional Development requirements apply).
• A ‘Record of Achievement’ is awarded on completion of each unit and a ‘Certificate in Financial Planning’ is awarded on completion.
• Provides credits that can be used towards completion of the higher-level qualification, the Diploma in Financial Planning.

Is the Certificate in Financial Planning right for me?

The Certificate is appropriate for a diverse range of people, including:

• Anyone who gives financial advice to clients, including independent financial advisers, tied advisers, para-planners and other staff such as pension’s specialists and financial analysts.
• Financial services administrative and technical support staff.
• Staff employed in support functions such as training, compliance, human resources, marketing, IT and finance who wish to improve their understanding of the business in which they work.

The Certificate is accredited by the QCA as ‘CII Level 3 Certificate in Financial Planning’ and is included in the National Qualifications Framework. For further information please refer to the QCA website at www.qca.org.uk

Funding may be available for candidates studying for qualifications listed in the National Qualifications Framework. For further details, please refer to the Learning and Skills Council website at www.lsc.gov.uk

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