This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the application of the investment advice process.
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.
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.
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.
To achieve DipPFS individuals must achieve 140 credits. At least 80 credits must be at Diploma or AFPC level.
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 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.
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.
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
An internationally recognised financial planning credential. The holder must demonstrate a combination of experience, financial qualifications (usually AFPC/DipPFS) or equivalent, an CISI assessment, ongoing educational activity (continuous professional development) and ethical behaviour.
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the application of the investment advice process.
Fellow members will have completed five years as an Associate Member and met the continuing professional development requirement for the last three years.
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 enhanced general pension knowledge, particularly in pension transfers and opt-out business.
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.
To achieve DipPFS individuals must achieve 140 credits. At least 80 credits must be at Diploma or AFPC level.
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 qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of an ability to analyse pension and retirement planning issues.
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
An internationally recognised financial planning credential. The holder must demonstrate a combination of experience, financial qualifications (usually AFPC/DipPFS) or equivalent, an CISI assessment, ongoing educational activity (continuous professional development) and ethical behaviour.
We're driven by making a positive difference to our clients' lives.
We believe money is about what it can be used for rather than being important in itself. Whatever we’re asked to advise on, establishing context is key.
Few of us take time out to think about where we are now, how happy we are, what we would like to change, and what we want for the future, whilst putting money to the back of our minds.
We’re not life coaches, but are practised at encouraging and assisting with this thought. It’s about establishing your big picture, your lifestyle focussed goals, your beliefs and values, which form the context for your plan and all our advice.
You are far more likely to achieve your objectives with a properly designed and implemented plan that is regularly reviewed.
We establish the cost of your current lifestyle, the resources that support it, and project where you are heading. We consider what’s needed for you to achieve financial independence or whether you’re already there.
Together we develop your financial plan aimed at maximising your chances of success, whilst making provision for if things go wrong.
Our core service combines financial, investment and tax planning.
We are often approached with specific requirements in mind. Whilst we are willing to provide focused advice, most individual aspects of financial planning impact on others, so comprehensive financial planning is the best approach. That is why almost all clients take advantage of our financial planning service.
The heart of our proposition is our structured financial planning service. This incorporates the six stages fundamental to Certified Financial Planner certification, and defined within the requirements of British Standards BS8577:2012 and BS ISO22222:2005.
Financial products form a crucial part of most financial strategies. It is essential that your adviser has the necessary knowledge, tools, experience, and ethics not only to recommend the most suitable new products and investments, but to impartially review your existing arrangements.
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