Regulatory Qualifications and Competence Framework

CII: Supporting compliance, competence and capability

The qualifications are underpinned by further learning and development tools. These include the Pathways initiative, which helps position qualifications within an overall career development plan, and edASSESS, an online service that keeps technical knowledge up-to-date.

The suite of products is available to individual candidates and corporate purchasers. Organisations have access to dedicated Business Development Managers who can help develop bespoke packages to fit their particular requirements.

The Framework and the associated products and services cater for all levels of experience, from those starting out in their career to experienced, qualified advisers seeking to maintain and enhance their knowledge.

In many instances, success in CII qualifications enables individuals to apply to use particular designations and titles, including Chartered status, demonstrating their achievement to employers, peers and clients.

Reflecting professional, commercial and regulatory requirements

Qualifications are at the heart of the UK’s financial services regulatory regime, and the CII is dedicated to providing solutions that are relevant, up-to-date and practical.

In addition to delivering an unrivalled programme of qualifications, the Framework is responsive to individual requirements. If and when a practitioner identifies a gap in their knowledge (perhaps as a consequence of new responsibilities, regulatory developments or changes in market practice), he or she can develop their knowledge as required. This can be done either by studying for an overall qualification or by simply choosing a particular unit on a standalone basis.

The Framework delivers in-depth coverage of a broad range of subjects. This reflects the growing desire of many practitioners to enhance their awareness of sector specialisms once they have laid a foundation of general market knowledge via qualifications such as the Certificate in Financial Planning and the Certificate in Mortgage Advice.

Obtaining qualifications and aligning them with general career development can deliver genuine business benefits.

They can help provide a competitive advantage, assist with regulatory compliance, support entry to new markets and enhance the range and quality of advice that can be provided.

The suite of qualifications now includes:

• Certificate in Financial Administration
• Certificate in Mortgage Advice
• Certificate in Equity Release
• Certificate in Financial Planning including the option of:
  - Certificate in Financial Planning
  and Long Term Care Insurance
• Diploma in Financial Planning
• Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.

The CII has also recently introduced corporate ‘Chartered Financial Planners’ status for qualifying financial advice firms. This is an extension of the individual ‘Chartered Financial Planner’ title for those businesses which demonstrate their adherence to the highest standards of professional practice. Further details can be found at www.cii.co.uk/chartered

Corporate Chartered status is one more way in which the CII is helping boost the professionalism and prestige of the financial advice sector.