APFS - Associate, Personal Finance Society (PFS)
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.
CF3 - Financial Protection (CII)
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of financial protection plans.
CF4 - Retirement Planning (CII)
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the various pension products, the pension tax regime and retirement needs.
H15 - Supervision and Sales (CII)
This examination assessed specialist supervisory knowledge and skills in the regulatory environment.
J01 - Personal Tax (CII)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: the basic structure of the tax system and self-assessment; the main taxes on income and capital that may be charged on individuals, the self-assessment system and how tax liabilities are computed; impact of residence and domicile on an individuals liability to UK tax.
J02 - Trusts (CII)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: legal principles associated with the creation and management of a trust; main types of trusts that are common in the UK; taxation considerations relevant to trusts.
J04 - Pension Funding Options (CII)
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.
J05 - Pension Income Options (CII)
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.
J06 - Investment Principles, Markets and Environment (CII)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: how the economic environment and individual company performance affects investment performance and investment decision making; how risk is measured and managed; the main principles governing how to construct an investment portfolio; the range of investment management services, how their performance is evaluated and their regulatory environment.
J08 - Financial Planning Practice (CII)
This qualification helps advisers develop and demonstrate their financial planning capabilities.
R01 - Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics (CII)
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.
CF6 - Certificate in Mortgage Advice (CII)
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.
AF1 - Personal Tax and Trust Planning (CII)
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.
AF3 - Pension Planning (CII)
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal and corporate pensions.
AF5 - Financial Planning Process (CII)
This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.
Accreditations