In order to have completed this qualification, individuals were required to obtain three units. These could have been selected from any combination of the available units at that time but must have included the compulsory G10 unit - Taxation and Trusts.
To achieve the Associateship grade, individuals would be required to have 6 AFPC (Diploma) units or equivalent. This shows a commitment to continuous professional development.
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.
This examination assessed a knowledge and understanding of the UK tax system, the law and practice of trusts, but also an ability to advise individual clients on the tax treatment of their investments and the use of trusts to meet their current and foreseeable future needs.
This examination assesses an understanding of group risks, including the operations of such schemes and their features and taxation.
To achieve DipPFS individuals must achieve 140 credits. At least 80 credits must be at Diploma or AFPC level.
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 a knowledge and understanding of the different types of equity release products, risks to the consumer associated with equity release and application of suitable equity release solutions according to the circumstances of different customers.
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 qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, long term care insurance products and the giving of long term care insurance advice.
To achieve the CertPFS (DM) and individual needs to pass 2 diploma units in Regulation and ethics and Discretionary Investment Management
CFS provides a completely independent and personalised service. Because we’re a small team of experts, we focus on every single client and delivering a highly personalised service. Your needs are different from anyone else’s, so your advice should be too.
The business is led by Jonothan McColgan, a chartered financial planner who has been awarded UK financial adviser of the year and numerous other awards.
He is a sought-after commentator in national publications including the Financial Times, The Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday.
We can advise on how you can build your wealth, protect your wealth, plan for worst case scenarios and maintain your lifestyle into retirement.
We use a wide range of tools to achieve this, including investments, pensions, tax strategies and protection, but the most important thing is to understand your hopes and aspirations and focus on what you want to do in life. That always comes first.
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