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Home » Qualifications » Certificate in Paraplanning
 

The knowledge and skills for the successful paraplanner

This qualification meets the specific needs of paraplanners, by offering a dedicated qualification route that develops paraplanning skills and expertise, and imparts advanced technical knowledge in a number of key advisory areas.

The Certificate in Paraplanning comprises four compulsory units, all of which need to be passed in order to complete the qualification:

  • (R01) Financial services, regulation and ethics;
  • (R02) Investment principles and risk;
  • (R03) Personal taxation; and
  • (J09) Paraplanning. 

With the exception of the paraplanning unit, which is assessed by coursework assignments, subjects are assessed by multiple-choice exams. All multiple-choice exams, and the paraplanning unit, are assessed year-round, meaning that candidates are able to build a study programme around known commitments and busy periods.

Upon completion candidates will be awarded the Certificate in Paraplanning. PFS members are entitled to use the designation CertPFS (Paraplanning). Continuing Professional Development requirements apply.

Credits obtained in completing the Certificate in Paraplanning can also be used towards other CII financial planning qualifications (subject to their completion requirements).

Why the Certificate in Paraplanning?

The Certificate delivers many advantages:

  • Develops advanced technical knowledge in key advisory areas, and enhances paraplanning skills and expertise.
  • Provides 3 of the 6 units required to complete the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning for those seeking to become an adviser in the future.
  • Improves long-term career prospects by improving knowledge and understanding, and by demonstrating commitment to self-improvement.
  • Provides online exam sittings that enable candidates to enter for exams when ready, with results provided instantaneously.
  • The paraplanning unit is assessed by coursework assignments, an assessment method that is akin to the discipline of paraplanning itself.
  • Modular learning and unrivalled support materials means that study can be tackled in manageable chunks using the market's widest range of learning and revision materials proven to enhance the chances of exam success. 

Is the Certificate in Paraplanning right for me?

The Certificate is appropriate for a wide range of people, including:

  • Senior and mid-level paraplanners looking to further their knowledge and sharpen their skills.
  • Those relatively new to paraplanning who perhaps do not hold existing financial planning qualifications or exams.
  • New industry entrants, graduates or otherwise, aspiring to become paraplanners or looking for an entry route into financial planning.

Your next step

Now that you have read about the Certificate in Paraplanning, gained an understanding of what it offers and established it is the appropriate qualification route for you, it is time to finalise your entry.

The links at the top of this page contain all the information you require to study for and complete the Certificate. As you read through this information, you will learn about the units on offer, the available learning materials, how to enter and the terms and conditions relating to entry.

Please take time to read this, as it will help you choose the study programme that best fits your needs.

You can also access FAQs here

Introduction

« Back to Introduction

CII qualifications require completion of one or more units, each covering a specific topic that is individually assessed. Assessment methods vary depending on the level and subject matter of a unit, and include:

  • Multiple choice examinations - the assessment method for Certificate, Award and financial services 'R0' Diploma units assessed in the UK.  Exams are delivered on-screen at a network of over 80 public centres across the UK. Sittings are available year-round, often on a weekly basis.
  • Written examinations - the assessment method for Diploma and Advanced Diploma units, excluding financial services 'R0' Diploma units, and also all units examined outside the UK. Sittings are typically available twice yearly in April and October at over 50 public centres throughout the UK and over 100 public centres outside the UK.

What you need to know

It is essential that candidates familiarise themselves with our service, in particular the rules and procedures that are in place. This should include both exam policies (before the assessment) and notes to results (after the assessment).

Things you need to know before the exam

Things you need to know after the exam

Key facts

Key facts for the Certificate in Paraplanning

Level of qualification Core
Number of available units 4 Diploma units
Compulsory units 4 units
• (R01) Financial services, regulation and ethics
• (R02) Investment principles and risk
• (R03) Personal taxation
• (J09) Paraplanning
Credits required to complete (existing credits carried forward) 80
Credits per unit J09 - 30 credits
R01/R02 - 20 credits
R03 - 10 credits
Combination of units at any level allowed Not applicable
Exam format R01/R02
• Online, 2 hours
• 100 multiple choice questions
R03
• Online, 1 hour
• 50 multiple choice questions
J09
• Non-exam based. 3 written coursework assignments
Average study time per unit R01/R02 - 60 hours
R03 - 50 hours
J09 - 100 hours
Availability of exam sessions (Details shown apply to the UK. Outside of the UK exams are offered twice-yearly) Year-round (R01/R03)
Availability varies from centre to centre, but typically weekly
Assessments can be submitted for marking and re-marking throughout the 12 month enrolment (J09)
Entry requirements? None
Credits available for prior learning? Yes
Record of Achievement issued for each exam pass? Yes
CII/PFS membership designation CertPFS (Paraplanning)
PFS members are entitled to use on completion
Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) approved? Yes
Level 4

 

Completion requirements

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for Certificate in Paraplanning and no prescribed order in which the units must be taken.

Completion requirements

To complete you are required to pass four units, these are:

Units Study Hours Exam Format Nominal pass mark Credits and Level
(R01) Financial services, regulation and ethics 60 2 hour exam. 100 multiple choice questions 65% 20 - Diploma
(R02) Investment principles and risk
(R03) Personal taxation 50 1 hour exam. 50 multiple choice questions 10 - Diploma
(J09) Paraplanning 100 Non-exam based. 3 written coursework assignments 30 - Diploma

Units treated as equivalent

Holders of the following alternative CII units will also satisfy the completion requirements for this qualification:

  • (CF1) UK financial services regulation and ethics or (FP1) financial services and their regulation = R01;
  • (J06) Investment principles, markets and environment or (G70) Investment portfolio management = R02; and
  • (J01) Personal tax = R03.

Coursework assignments

Unit (J09) Paraplanning is assessed by coursework assignments rather than a traditional examination. This involves the submission of three written assignments, all of which must be submitted within the 12 month enrolment period in order to achieve a pass. This means that all assignments, plus any re-submissions, must be submitted to the CII during the 12 month period.

'Successful completion' is where you obtain a minimum of 65% of the available marks for each of the three assignments. There is no exam element with this course.

Coursework assessments involve the application of knowledge to work-related questions and require you to explore issues in the workplace relevant to Paraplanning. The aim is that you should thereafter be able to apply this learning in the workplace.

Essential guidance

Before enrolling for unit J09, we recommend you familiarise yourself with the course requirements by reading our 'guidelines and instructions'.

You can also access our 'frequently asked questions'.

Syllabus updates 2013-14

Regulatory changes brought about by the replacement of the FSA with three new financial services regulatory bodies, which include the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), are having a significant impact on CII customers, the way you conduct your business and therefore the content of our syllabuses, study material and exams for certain exam units.

Further background on these regulatory changes can be found below under our frequently asked questions.

What do these changes mean for CII customers?

Some CII units examine on aspects of the FSA. To ensure that we're examining on current issues and regulation, syllabuses and study material for these units are being updated to reflect the upcoming changes.

When will these updates be made?

Updated syllabuses have now been published - available to download from each qualification page on this website - and will be examined from 01 Sep 2013.

For all financial services units, new study text editions will be published in July 2013 as normal.

Are there units that will be impacted by the changes more than others?

Yes, the following units have more content that will be affected:

CF1*, CF6, R01*, R05, J07, J09, J11, FA1, ER1

* These units will be particularly affected by this change

How significant will the updates be?

Changes to the regulatory regime will result in some changes to the legislative position that is being examined - this will largely consist of updating references to the FSA, and its roles and responsibilities, to the new regulatory bodies. As detailed above, some units will be more impacted than others.

Are there any changes to the current testing period that will affect the life of existing study texts?

No - because of the anticipated timing of the changes we plan to update study material for financial services units at the same time as usual. The only change to the timetable will be that updated syllabuses will be issued slightly earlier than normal (in April rather than July), but these will be examined from September as usual.

Background - what's changed?

From 1 April 2013 fundamental changes were made to the regulatory regime as the Financial Services Authority (FSA) was disbanded.

  • A new regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is now responsible for policing the behaviour and conduct of all firms, with a focus on ensuring consumers are protected and markets work well. It is also responsible for the solvency and stability of smaller firms such as IFAs.
  • The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is responsible for the solvency and financial stability of the larger institutions (banks, insurance companies, etc.) whose failure could trigger a financial crisis.
  • Within the Bank of England sits the Financial Policy Committee (FPC), responsible for scanning for emerging risks to the financial system.
J09
Paraplanning
R01
Financial services, regulation & ethics
R02
Investment principles and risk
R03
Personal taxation
 

Assessment information

It is important that candidates entering for a CII assessment familiarise themselves with our service, in particular the rules and procedures that are in place.

Find out more »

Syllabuses

J09 Paraplanning

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

  • the customer's personal circumstances;
  • the financial position of the client;
  • providing potential solutions;
  • the regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks of paraplanning.

 

R01 Financial services, regulation and ethics

At the end of this unit candidates will be able to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skill in applying the following topic areas:

  • UK financial service industry in its European and Global context;
  • how the retail customer is served by the financial service industry;
  • Regulatory framework, powers and responsibilities to protect the consumer;
  • the legal concepts and considerations relevant to financial advice;
  • the Code of Ethics and its impact on the business behaviours of individuals.


Read about updates that will affect financial services qualification units »

R02 Investment principles and risk

At the end of this unit candidates will be able to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skill in applying the following topic areas:

  • the characteristics, inherent risks, behaviour and correlation of asset classes, and investment products;
  • the macro-economic environment and its impact on asset classes;
  • the merits and limitations of the main investment theories;
  • the nature and impact of the main types of risk on investment performance;
  • the performance of investments.

R03 Personal taxation

At the end of this unit candidates will be able to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skill in applying the following topic areas:

  • the basic structure of the UK tax system;
  • the main taxes on income and capital that may be charged on individuals and trusts, the self assessment system and how tax liabilities are computed;
  • the taxation of investments as relevant to the needs and circumstances of individuals and trusts.
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