APFS – Associate, Personal Finance Society

To achieve the Associateship grade, individuals would be required to have 6 AFPC (Diploma) units or equivalent. This shows a commitment to continuous professional development.

AF5 – Financial Planning Process

This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.

CF2 – Investment and Risk

This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the risks involved.

CF8 – Certificate in Financial Planning and Long-Term Care Insurance

This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, long-term care insurance products and the giving of long-term care insurance advice.

G10 – Taxation and Trusts

This examination assessed a knowledge and understanding of the UK tax system, the law and practice of trusts, but also an ability to advise individual clients on the tax treatment of their investments and the use of trusts to meet their current and foreseeable future needs.

G20 – Personal Investment Planning

This examination assessed a knowledge and understanding of investments and an ability to advise individual clients on the construction of investment portfolios to meet both their current and foreseeable future needs.

G70 – Investment Portfolio Management

This qualification assessed a knowledge and understanding of portfolio investment management.

J01 – Personal Tax

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic structure of the tax system and self-assessment; the main taxes on income and capital that may be charged on individuals, the self-assessment system and how tax liabilities are computed; impact of residence and domicile on an individual’s liability to UK tax.

J02 – Trusts

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the legal principles associated with the creation and management of a trust; main types of trusts that are common in the UK; taxation considerations relevant to trusts.

J05 – Pension Income Options

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the process of decumulating pension funds and the main issues for clients and advisers; main choices facing members of pensions schemes during decumulation; features, risks and tax treatment of the secured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of the unsecured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of phased retirement; features, risks and tax treatment of the alternatively secured pension option.

R01 – Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics

This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.

R06 – Financial Planning Practice

This qualification helps advisers develop and demonstrate their financial planning capabilities.

R08 – Pensions Update

MA, University of Oxford