What does ‘Chartered Financial Planner’ mean?

Fellow of the Personal Finance Society

Sally is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) – the highest designation awarded by the PFS. Completion of the Fellowship programme shows that she has attained and maintained the most prestigious level of professional financial planning achievement.

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning

This qualification enables professional advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and covers topics such as: personal tax and trust, business financial, pension and investment planning.

Diploma in Financial Planning

This level 4 diploma meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for retail investment advisers, demonstrating core technical knowledge and financial planning capabilities across six core areas.

Financial Planning Certificate

A recognition offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute in the United Kingdom. Individuals who hold this qualification have satisfied coursework and testing requirements set by the organisation.

Certificate in Equity Release

The level 3 certificate in Equity Release meets the FCA’s requirement for mortgage advisers and those advising on equity release schemes. In addition to developing advisory skills, the Certificate offers an understanding of equity release regulation, products, market practice, and customer needs.

Award in Pensions Update

This single unit qualification develops and tests knowledge of pension reforms and how they impact at-retirement advice.

Certificate in Mortgage Advice

The level 3 certificate in Mortgage Advice meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for mortgage advisers. It develops an understanding of the sector and the mortgage process, enabling advisers to meet individual client needs.

Certificate in Life & Pensions

The life and pensions route builds knowledge and understanding of the sector’s role and its activities. It considers important customer needs, solutions and products, and how individuals and organisations work within the regulatory and legislative environment.

AF1 (Personal Tax and Trust Planning)

This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.

AF2 (Business Financial Planning)

This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to business.

AF3 (Pension Planning)

This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal and corporate pensions.

AF4 (Investment Planning)

This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to investments and the management of investment portfolios.

AF5 (Financial Planning Process)

This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when advising clients.

G10 (Taxation and Trusts)

This examination assesses 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.

G80 (Long-Term Care, Life and Health Protection)

This AFPC module provided an advanced knowledge of life and health protection. The October 2004 examination qualified the individual to advise on long-term care insurance.

J03 (The Tax and Legal Aspects of Business)

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: the main legal forms of business and how they are set up and managed; the consequences of bankruptcy or insolvency; business accounts and financial controls; the taxation of each type of business entity, its owners and employees; the main legal responsibilities businesses have to employees, suppliers and customers.

J04 (Pension Funding Options)

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)

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)

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.

R08 (Pension Update)

This qualification focuses on pension reforms and how they affect advice, including the new legislative, compliance and reporting requirements.

CF5 (Integrated Financial Planning)

This examination demonstrates a solid grounding in the financial services industry and its regulation.

CF6 (Certificate in Mortgage Advice)

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.

ER1 (Equity Release)

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.

FP1 (Financial Services and their Regulation)

Assesses an understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation and legislation.

FP2 (Protection, Savings and Investment)

Assesses an understanding of protection, savings and investment products.