Swallow Financial Planning LLP

To achieve DipPFS individuals must achieve 140 credits. At least 80 credits must be at Diploma or AFPC level.

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 qualification assessed the knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry together with types of mortgage products and repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.

To achieve the Fellowship grade, individuals would be required to have 10 AFPC (Diploma) units or equivalent. This shows a commitment to continuous professional development.

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.

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.

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 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 enhanced general pension knowledge, particularly in pension transfers and opt-out business.

Fellow members will have passed the Institute’s fellowship examinations and have demonstrated five years relevant experience.

This examination assessed a knowledge and understanding of investments and an ability to advise individual clients on the construction of investment portfolios to meet both their current and foreseeable future needs.

This examination assessed knowledge and understanding of income generating options and applying the knowledge to retirement planning situations.

This examination assessed the knowledge and understanding of economic factors that affect risk from different investments, product features and regulatory framework of retail investments, taxation liabilities and portfolio planning.

This examination assessed knowledge and understanding to analyse and evaluate a client’s circumstances and financial needs and produce a holistic financial solution based on an in-depth knowledge of financial services products.

This examination demonstrated that the individual has a knowledge and understanding of all financial planning aspects of running a business and an ability to advise clients appropriately.

Associate members will have passed the institute's level 4 appropriate examination or transitional diploma examination.

This qualification is a specialist qualification which demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of Financial Markets, Portfolio Construction Theory and Applied Wealth Management.