GRADUATES

Graduates

 

Intermediaries qualifications requirements to submit Equity Release business to ship members post 06/04/08

If you're looking for some advice in preparation for your exams, please click on the following link:

Exam preparation - April 2008

 

Qualifications

Qualifications are becoming more and more important for financial advisers. The benchmark qualification is the Certificate in Financial Planning or equivalent. But to evidence professional commitment, higher level exams should be gained. There are currently 38 advanced qualifications offered by 8 examination awarding bodies. At the top of the pile in status terms is a Chartered Financial Planner. Starting from scratch it may take three to four years to attain Chartered status but existing qualifications may count.

IFA Promotion's 'Guide to IFA qualifications' contains a full list of the current IFA advanced exams - found at www.unbiased.co.uk/find-an-ifa/guides.

What skills do I need?

A successful IFA has a broad skill set. Here are just a few qualities to think about:

  1. The technical ability to understand the majority of a large range of financial products available and their features, benefits, technical details and usage rules.
  2. Great communication skills - being able to convey complex information in simple terms is fundamental.
  3. Good listening skills - to hear what clients are saying and also read between the lines to identify any future issues.
  4. People skills - IFAs actively manage all their client relationships, building trust and respect. They are also at ease networking as this is a great way to develop business contacts.
  5. Desire to learn - IFAs need to update their product and market knowledge and be up to date with regulation, taxation and legislation that affects their business on an on-going basis - there is constant change to keep pace with
  6. Good organisation and planning - both personally and for their clients.
  7. Good problem solvers - identify potential pitfalls and define practical solutions.

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