Financial Adviser Courses

There are many courses on financial planning and also qualifications in this industry. We have come up with an overview containing the most common planning courses and qualifications below which are arranged in a chronological order from entry level that is beginner to highly specialised or advanced. All of these hold minimum that is at least certified financial planner designation along with 5 years experience.

Diploma of financial planning

This particular diploma of financial planning is a very basic or beginner level qualification for individuals who wish to start a career in financial planning. This can also be said as an entry level pass for them. It is structured in a way in which you are allowed to undertake elective and core subjects that give you technical knowledge and adviser skills which leads to the ASIC RG146 compliance across various knowledge areas.

Advanced diploma financial planning

As the name suggests, the advanced diploma of financial planning builds upon the capabilities which are gained in the entry level diploma or the basic Tier 1 training so as to develop technical knowledge that is more relevant to Complex advisery scenarios. This particular qualification focuses on developing existing skills that has to be built for client centric relationships and for creating customer value.

Bachelor of financial planning

Quite a number of universities are now beginning to start financial planning courses or specialisations as a part of the curriculum. Majority of the Bachelor level courses which are the same or equivalent to the advanced diploma of financial planning mentioned above, also meet requirements of RG146/ PS 146. If you are planning to enroll in a University financial planning course, make sure the university is recognised. Several University Bachelor level courses satisfy the tertiary requirements to enrol students in the certified financial planner program.

Certified financial planner

The CFP Certification is the highest level of certification that an individual who aims to be a financial planner can achieve and this is internationally recognised.

Over 140,000 professional financial planners now hold the CFP post on a global scale. this also includes a 5,500 strong community of CFP professionals particularly in Australia who  stand proud and fly the flag for having a gold standard in financial planning.

If you want to enroll in the CFP program, all potential candidates must hold an approved bachelor’s degree, that is, tertiary education along with practical on the job experience.

SPAA – SMSF Professionals Association of Australia Limited

SPAA is recognised as the Apex body for all to Financial Advisers and leading associations within the SMSF industry in Australia. The members of this association deliver integrated financial services and also include professionals from industry groups like Accountants, auditors, lawyers, risk providers, Finance, actuaries, educators and administrators. SPAA represents professionals that are capable of giving advice in highly Complex areas of self managed superannuation funds.

Its focus is to raise the standards of the advice provided by the professionals within the SMSF industry. It is committed to Enhancing the education among SMSF professionals to assist them in their advising capacity and to make sure that they work well within the regulatory framework of the body. Its membership and the specialist accreditation makes the job of advising and managing a lot more simpler.

SPAA is committed to raising the industry standards, looking after the needs of SMSF professionals who practice within all the professional memberships and lastly and most importantly, promoting best practice. Becoming a SMSF specialist adviser or a SMSF specialist auditor depicts that they are recognised as people who practice by choice.