| What's in a name? IFA Qualifications |
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There's more pressure on people than ever before to save for their futures. Relying on the state is no longer a safe option for retirement, benefits and healthcare. As a result, an increasing number of people are purchasing personal financial products such as life insurance, investments, private health plans and personal pensions. The world of financial planning is a jungle, though, and it's not surprising that it leaves many people completely baffled â€" which is why there has been an enormous rise in the use of independent financial advisors (IFAs). However, even the world of IFAs is a complicated one â€" there are so many different qualifications and some IFAs seem to have an endless string of letters after their names. It can therefore be difficult to find the appropriate advisor for your specific needs. Here's a brief guide to some of the key IFA qualifications for various aspects of financial planning, from mortgages and insurance to pensions and investments. The financial services industry is highly regulated and its regulatory body, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) requires professionals working in the industry to have certain qualifications before they can provide financial advice. There are so many different qualifications issued by so many different professional bodies and institutes that the letters after a financial advisor's name can be baffling. Here's a glossary of some of the qualifications and abbreviations and memberships of professional bodies you might want to look out for when selecting a financial advisor to meet your needs. The basic qualification is the Certificate in Financial Planning (Cert FP) â€" although it's only considered to be about the same level as an 'O' grade, and there are much more advanced qualifications available, both for general financial advice and for specialist products such as mortgages and pensions. General Certificate in Financial Planning (Cert FP) Advanced Financial Planning Certificate (AFPC) Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Associate, Society of Financial Advisers (ASFA) Member, Society of Financial Advisers (MSFA) Fellow, Society of Financial Advisers (FSFA) Associate, Institute of Financial Planning (AIFP) Member, Institute of Financial Planning (MIFP) Fellow, Institute of Financial Planning (FIFP) Institute of Financial Services (Chartered Institute of Bankers) Mortgages Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMap) Mortgage Advice Qualification (MAQ) Pensions Chartered Insurance Institute's G60 paper on pension planning Association of the Pensions Management Institute (APMI) Investments G70 paper on portfolio management G30 paper on business investment planning Certificate in Investment Management (Cert IM) Investment Management Asset Allocation Qualification (IMAAQ) Investment Management Certificate (IMC) Professional Investment Certificate (PIC) Member, Securities Institute (MSI) UK Society of Investment Professionals Insurance Associate, Life Insurance Association Diploma (ALIA dip) Member, Life Insurance Association Diploma (MLIA dip) Fellow, Life Insurance Association Diploma (FLIA dip) Associate, Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) Member, Chartered Insurance Institute (MCII) Fellow, Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII) G80 paper on long-term care, health and life protection A string of letters after someone's name isn't necessarily proof of their ability as a financial advisor. There are many factors that you should also take into consideration when looking for a financial advisor, including cost, the services offered, experience and location. <b>Biography:</b> <b>Author:</b> Benedict Rohan Website: <a href="http://www.mortgagenation.co.uk">http://www.mortgagenation.co.uk</a> Benedict Rohan works as a freelance finance writer. <a href="http://www.mortgagenation.co.uk">Commercial Mortgage</a>, <a href="http://www.mortgagenation.co.uk">Homeowner Loans</a>, Remortgages |
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