An internationally recognised financial planning credential. The holder must demonstrate a combination of experience, financial qualifications (usually AFPC/DipPFS) or equivalent, an IFP assessment, ongoing educational activity (continuous professional development) and ethical behaviour.
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the various pension products, the pension tax regime and retirement needs.
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the Government’s simplified pension taxation regime which came into full effect on 6 April 2006 (A-Day). Eight tax regimes for pensions were reduced to one, radically affecting planning and transactions.
Having achieved the APFS designation, advisers can go onto to achieve this recognisable benchmark of quality and ethical practice for financial services professionals, elevating financial planning and advice in the public eye to the same standing as other Chartered professions. The holder must demonstrate a combination of experience, financial qualifications, ongoing educational activity (continuous professional development) and ethical behaviour.
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal and corporate pensions.
Associate members are those who have gone on to secure more advanced qualifications by completing the Advanced Diploma in Insurance or its predecessor the Associateship. This shows a commitment to continuous professional development.
This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to investments and the management of investment portfolios.
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: process of decumulating pension funds and the main issues for clients and advisers; main choices facing members of pensions schemes during decumulation; features, risks and tax treatment of the secured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of the unsecured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of phased retirement; features, risks and tax treatment of the alternatively secured pension option.
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, mortgage products, repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: main tax and legal frameworks that govern the accumulation phase of building up retirement benefits under registered pension schemes; features of defined contribution and defined benefit pensions; choices faced by early leavers and use of transfer value analysis; State retirement benefits available, including the risks and suitability of contracting out of the State Second Pension.
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of financial protection plans.
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the risks involved.
MCSI membership is full membership of the CISI, and denotes a high level of achievement and competence. It is awarded to those with a suitable combination of qualifications and experience
This exam accesses understanding of the financial services industry including regulation and legislation.
This exam accesses understanding of the financial services industry, and its regulation, products and processes.
We are an independent financial planning firm based in Kempston, Bedfordshire.
Our Chartered Financial Planner, Matthew Aitchison, has worked in financial services for over 13 years.
As Financial Planners, our approach is to focus on you; your hopes, dreams and concerns. We then recommend financial solutions that will help you to achieve your goals. All that’s left for you to do is get on with living the life you want to live.
Over time, we have developed an in-depth knowledge of working with certain types of people. The people we work with will usually fall under one of the following three categories:
• People planning for retirement: If you want to retire on your terms, safe in the knowledge that you have the income you need to achieve your desired lifestyle, we can help.
• Business owners: If you want to get financially organised and achieve the best possible future for you, your family and your business, we can help.
• Solicitors: If you want to address your complex, tax-driven financial needs and achieve a better work-life balance, we can help.
• We are Financial Planners: We focus on you before your money and ensure that we think strategically, putting a plan in place to ensure you achieve your objectives.
• We are experts: Matthew’s commitment to professional development has seen him achieve both Chartered (CII) and Certified (CISI) status. He is among a small number of financial professionals in the UK who have achieved both.
• We are local: We are based in Kempston and work from a fully-modernised barn conversion. We find that the rural location is perfect for ensuring our client meetings are relaxed.
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