Chartered status is awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and is considered the ‘gold standard’ financial planning accreditation. Chartered status is a symbol of technical competence and signifies a public commitment to upholding professional standards and adhering to a professional Code of Ethics.

• AdvDipIP (Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning)

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

• DipPFS (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.

• AF1 (Personal Tax and Trust Planning)

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

• AF3 (Pension Planning)

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

• AF5 (Financial Planning Process)

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

• CF1 (UK Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics)

This qualification develops an understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation and legislation.

• CF2 (Investment and Risk)

This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the risks involved.

• CF4 (Retirement Planning)

This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the various pension products, the pension tax regime and retirement needs.

• 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.

• GR1 (Group Risk)

This examination assesses an understanding of group risks, including the operations of such schemes and their features and taxation.

• R05 (Financial Protection)

This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of and ability to analyse financial protection planning issues.

• Cert CII (MP) (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.

• Certificate in Financial Planning (Life & Pensions route)

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.

• Cert CII (ER) (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.