Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA®)
Achieving the Certificate for Financial Advisers
(CeFA®) will enable you to gain a thorough
understanding of the principles of good advice and
the financial services industry.
CeFA® enables you to develop an extensive knowledge and
understanding of UK financial regulation, investments and the risks
that go with them, retirement planning and protection. It will also
establish your ability to synthesise knowledge across product areas in
order to provide effective and consumer-focused financial advice.
Studying CeFA® demonstrates a desire to continue your professional
development, improves career and promotion prospects and can offer
access to further professional development.
Upon successful completion of CeFA® you will
understand:
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The purpose and structure of the UK financial services industry
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Regulation of the financial services environment
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Taxation, asset allocation, investment planning and investment
products
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The purpose and scope of Financial Protection
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The main aim and strategies of retirement planning
Facts at a glance
How to apply and select suitable financial solutions within the
regulatory and ethical framework
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Study and learning resources
CeFA® is a distance learning qualification, allowing you to study at a
pace and time that suits you. A comprehensive set of learning
materials is provided at registration, both in hard copy and online
via the information gateway my ifslearning. Specimen examination
papers, revision notes and online tutor support is also available to
support your studies.
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Registration
Register online at www.iofs.org.uk/OnlineRegistration or download a
registration form at www.iofs.org.uk/CeFA.
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You can also register by phone on +44 (0)1227 818609 (option 1).
Please have your Visa / Mastercard / Debit card to hand when you call.
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The ifs Level 3 Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA®) is a
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) qualification
accredited by Ofqual
CeFA® consists of four mandatory modules
Registration costs £160 per module and is valid for
12 months
Registration includes learning materials, initial assessment
entry and online access to any relevant updates during the
registration period
Assessment for CeFA® consists of a 2-hour multiple-choice
assessment for each module. Assessments can be taken on
demand at Pearson VUE centres with confirmation of your
result on the day
Students only resit units that they have not passed, allowing
them to focus on areas of weakness rather than having to
revisit the entire syllabus
In-house examinations via ifs e-test™ are available through
participating employers. Please visit www.iofs.org.uk/e-test
for more information
www.iofs.org.uk/CeFA
The Institute of Financial Services is the professional body of ifs University College, a registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter.
Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA®)
Qualification structure
Cost
Module 1 UK Financial Regulation
Unit 1
Unit 2
Introduction to the Financial Services Environment &
Products
50 recommended learning hours
1 hour exam
UK Financial Services and Regulation
30 recommended learning hours
1 hour exam
Module 2 Investments & Risks
Unit 3
Principles of Investment
50 recommended learning hours
1 hour exam
Unit 4
Investment Products
50 recommended learning hours
1 hour exam
Financial Protection
50 recommended learning hours
1 hour exam
Unit 6
Retirement Planning
50 recommended learning hours
1 hour exam
£124
Specimen paper (per paper)
£21
Revision notes
(per module of units)
(when purchasing two modules together)
(when purchasing all three modules)
£26
£41
£52
£21
Upon successful completion of this qualification you will be able to
use the designation ‘CeFA‘ after your name.
CeFA® can act as a stepping stone towards the ifs Level 4 Diploma
for Financial Advisers (DipFA®) which is a benchmark qualification
that meets the standards required for those giving professional
advice on retail investment products beyond 2012.
Assessment of Investment Advice Knowledge
40 recommended learning hours
2 hour exam
DipFA® has been designed specifically with the intended outcomes
of the FCA’s Retail Distribution Review (RDR) in mind. It is a highly
relevant programme of study that develops the knowledge required
whilst also enhancing the skills and practical understanding of the
subject matter needed to apply it effectively to the work-place. It
can be completed in as little as 9 months.
Visit www.iofs.org.uk/DipFA to find out more.
Qualification: CeFA® (Certificate for Financial Advisers)
Membership
Membership of the Institute of Financial Services provides access to
cost-effective and appropriate services that meet the very specific
needs of the financial and mortgage adviser community and costs just
£66 per annum.
Further information can be found at www.iofs.org.uk/Membership.
twitter.com/_IoFS
Examination resit fee (per module)
Post qualification
Module 4 Assessment of Investment Advice Knowledge
Unit 7
£160
Ask the Expert
Online support service
Module 3 Retirement Planning & Protection
Unit 5
Registration fee
(per module - includes learning materials and initial
examination entry)
About the Institute of Financial Services
The Institute of Financial Services supports and promotes professionalism
in the regulated advice sector and the wider financial services industry.
It does so through the provision of qualifications, continuing professional
development services and through the dissemination of best practice.
The Institute is the professional body of ifs University College, a
registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter. It is an FCA Accredited
Body and is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual.
linkd.in/_IoFS
Institute of Financial Services, ifs House, 4–9 Burgate Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2XJ
youtube.com/InstituteFS
T +44 (0)1227 818609 E [email protected] W www.iofs.org.uk
Every effort was taken to ensure this information sheet was accurate at the time of going to press; the Institute of Financial Services is not liable for any errors or omissions in this publication. The Institute
reserves the right at any time and without notice to vary the content of its courses and syllabuses previously announced and to modify as appropriate the facilities and arrangements for students.
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