Old Mutual Wealth has teamed up with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) to launch AF4 exam training sessions for advisers through its new Investment Academy.
Old Mutual Wealth head of UK distribution Scott Goodsir said, "Quality financial advice is key to the future of UK plc, the UK retail financial sector and the financial livelihoods of UK consumers. Our Investment Academy will support advisers that want to continue to develop their expertise and reach the peak of their profession by attaining Chartered status.
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"Consumers value Chartered status and see it as a mark of professionalism and integrity. We believe that by supporting advisers through these qualifications we are making an investment which will benefit all those with a stake in the UK retail financial services industry."
The training sessions, which mark the first adviser support initiatives launched by Old Mutual Wealth through the Investment Academy, are aimed at advisers studying toward their AF4 Investment Planning qualification.
The qualification is part of the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning leading to Chartered status.
The AF4 exam is one among six units, with each worth 30 credits which constitute the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.
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By GlobalDataAn individual will earn CII Chartered status by getting 120 credits (4 units) results. The AF5 unit is compulsory.
Old Mutual Wealth’s exam training will comprise twelve separate sessions lasting for 2 ½ hours.
The sessions, delivered by CII accredited training specialists, will include presentations, breakout sessions and group discussions.
At the same time, advisers will be tested using past exam questions to prepare for the AF4 exam.
From 2020, a firm will be able to hold its chartered status only if at least half of its advisers hold the Diploma.
In the coming days, the Academy will cover other exam units, distributing supporting collateral to advisers and producing CPD events with asset managers such as JP Morgan Asset Management, Aberdeen Asset Management, M&G, Schroders, F&C, and OMGI.
Advisers will get the support free of charge; however, they or their business will have to fund the cost of sitting the exam.
The sessions will start this April with an initial cohort of advisers slated to take their AF4 exam in October. Old Mutual and the CII are planning to launch further sessions at the end of this year.
