Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (2024)

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (1)
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Your pathway to Chartered Financial Planner status

The RQF Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning builds on existing knowledge enabling advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and offer a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to financial management.

Members with over five years’ sector experience can apply forChartered Financial Plannerstatus on completion of the Advanced Diploma.

Who's it for?

  • Retail investment advisers qualified at level 4
  • Paraplanners, technical consultants and staff in related support roles qualified at level 4

To complete the Advanced Diploma, you must already hold one of the following CII qualifications: Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, Diploma in Financial Planning.

Recognition of prior learning

Before studying, check to see whether any of your previous academic qualifications or credits from other professional bodies and institutes can be carried towards completion of the Advanced Diploma.

Find out more about recognition of prior learning

Study time

Specific study time guidelines are provided for each unit on its webpage and in the CII qualifications brochure.

The notional Ofqual ‘Total Qualification Time’ for this qualification is 600 hours. This represents the time a student might typically take to upgrade their CII Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning or Regulated Financial Planning to the CII Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning by the shortest combination of units from the core and optional units available. The number of hours may increase dependent on the units chosen. Further study time will be needed for any units required to meet the additional completion requirements (for students who have not already completed these as part of their prior study).

Assessment method

Diploma and Advanced Diploma level units are assessed by written exam or coursework assignment.

Written exam results are normally released 6-8 weeks following exam sitting. Coursework assessment results are normally released 63 calendar days following submission.

Find out more about assessments, including policies and exam centres

Learning support

Qualification units are delivered through purchasing an Enrolment, equipping you with the essential materials to support core learning. For a single fee, an Enrolment typically includes: study text, assessment and access to RevisionMate, our online study tool.

We also offer additional revision aids through purchasing Enrolment plus for most key units. These range from Key fact booklets and Question packs, to Learn online tutorials.

Chartered status and Fellowship

As a holder of the Advanced Diploma you can apply forCharteredstatus (subject to having five years' experience within the profession - experience gained prior toqualification counts towards this requirement).

Chartered status cements your professional standing and gives you parity with other professionals such as accountants and solicitors. The CII also offers corporate Chartered status to qualifying firms, further enhancing visible professionalism.

If after completing the Advanced Diploma you wish to continue with formal professional development, you could study forFellowshipof the PFS.

Fellowship,held by more than 5,000 working practitioners is our highest level of qualification. Attainment is globally recognised as an indicator of expertise and experience.

Units treated as equivalent

Due to the extent of syllabus overlap, certain combinations of current and withdrawn units will result in only one award of credits.

If a withdrawn equivalent is held you may not need to complete a current unit in order to satisfy a qualification's completion rules. Clarification should always be sought from CII Customer Service.

Find out more about credit awards for equivalent units

Completion requirements

Core units

The Advanced Diploma comprises one core unit and a number of option units from the CII Personal Finance qualifications framework, providing a total of 290 credits on successful completion.There is no definitive order in which you should study your chosen units, however unit AF5 tests skills developed through completion of other Advanced Diploma units so must be completed last.

Unit

Credits

Level

AF5

Financial planning process

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

Option units

120 credits must be at level 6 and include the core unit AF5. A further 40 credits must be at level 4 or above, and the remaining credits may come from any unit with the exception of unit LF1.

Any credits already achieved from these units will continue to count towards the completion requirements of the Diploma in Financial Planning and the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning after the unit’s withdrawal.

Unit

Credits

Level

AF1

Personal tax and trust planning

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF4

Investment Planning

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF6

Senior management and supervision

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF7

Pensions transfers

Credits : 20

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

AF8

Retirement income planning

Credits : 30

Level : 6

Learn more Learn more

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (2024)

FAQs

What level is advanced Diploma in financial planning? ›

The CII Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning is a RQF Level 6 qualification leading to Chartered Financial Planner status.

What is the best degree for a financial planner? ›

Becoming a financial planner often starts with a bachelor's degree in a field like business, finance or accounting. After gaining a background in the field, individuals can look for entry-level jobs at organizations like banks, insurance companies and investment firms.

What is advanced Diploma in financial management? ›

Equips students with the ability to apply knowledge and advanced conceptual thinking skills to solve financial problems within public and private organisations. Provides students with the ability to aid in investment and financial decisions, including capital budgeting, working capital, and more.

What is the highest financial planning qualification? ›

For 50 years, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first.

Is Advanced Diploma the same as Masters? ›

A graduate diploma distinguishes itself by offering a high level of specialisation and/or update in a discipline or knowledge are more concrete than those of master's degrees, usually with a clear professional orientation.

What is the most recognized credential in financial planning? ›

The essential four-year degree is key to unlocking doors at almost every planning firm, and it's also a required item for achieving the most important certification in the field, the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential.

What is the best salary financial planner? ›

Financial Planner Salary in California
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$124,843$60
75th Percentile$100,700$48
Average$87,072$42
25th Percentile$75,000$36

Can you make a lot of money as a financial planner? ›

Financial advisors in the United States typically make between $50,000 and $110,000 per year, with the average salary being around $75,000. However, this can vary based on experience, location, and the type of advisory services provided.

Is paying a financial planner worth it? ›

A financial advisor is worth paying for if they provide help you need, whether because you don't have the time or financial acumen or you simply don't want to deal with your finances. An advisor may be especially valuable if you have complicated finances that would benefit from professional help.

What can I do with an advanced diploma in financial markets? ›

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Financial Markets is to develop the student's knowledge of the discipline of financial markets and trading. The program is comprised of a focused curriculum to prepare the student for a career in financial markets.

What is different between advanced diploma and diploma? ›

Information. A regular diploma program requires you to complete two years (four semesters) of study. An advanced diploma program requires you to complete three years (six semesters) of study. Diploma programs prepare you for the workforce and many offer a real-world learning component.

Which diploma is best for Finance? ›

  • PGDM in Investment Banking and Capital Markets. ...
  • PGDM Banking and Finance (NIBM) ...
  • BSE PG diploma in banking and finance. ...
  • Actuarial Science.
Dec 15, 2023

What is the hardest certification in finance? ›

To become a charter holder, it's necessary to pass three exams and is an equivalent of a master's degree. The CFA designation is reputed to be the most difficult certification to obtain, which works to the benefit of those who succeed.

What is the most prestigious finance certification? ›

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certification

The CFA designation is highly sought after by finance professionals around the world. It consists of three levels and takes an average of about 4 years to complete all 3 levels. It is widely regarded as one of the top finance certifications.

How hard is it to get into financial planning? ›

Becoming a financial planner requires a bachelor's degree, along with courses in investments, taxes, estate planning, and risk management. If you're comfortable with sales, are great with people, have excellent analytical and communication skills, and can work independently, financial planning may be right for you.

Is Advanced Diploma Level 7? ›

NQF level 7 is equivalent to a bachelor's degree or an advanced diploma in South Africa.

What is the qualification level of advanced diploma? ›

Level 6 – Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply specialised knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning.

What is advanced diploma level? ›

An advanced diploma is similar to a regular diploma, however, it is more in-depth and complex. While a regular diploma is equivalent to the first year of a university degree, an advanced diploma is equivalent to the first two years of a degree.

What is level 7 diploma in Accounting and finance? ›

This qualification is designed for learners who wish to pursue a career in the financial services industry, professional accountancy, banking and finance or management.

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