BREAKING NEWS

CeFA (Certificate for Financial Advisers):

The Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA) provides financial advisers with grounding in the essentials of the financial services market whilst enabling you to develop an extensive knowledge and understanding of the practices of the advisory process in the UK. To become a regulated financial advisor, individuals need to successfully pass the 4 core modules for the CeFA qualification.

Like the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP), the Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA) is awarded by the Institute of Financial Services (ifs) School of Finance and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as the industry benchmark qualification for Financial Advisers.

CeFA is the most effective and efficient way of getting into the financial sector industry.

The CeFA modules are:

1. UK Financial Regulation

Focuses upon the purpose and structure of the UK financial services structure. The module is divided into 2 units, each unit consists of 50 multiple choice questions (100 questions in all)

Areas covered:

• the UK financial services industry structure
• financial asset classes
• financial services products
• financial advice and regular reviews
• legal concepts
• UK taxation and social security systems
• inflation and interest rate
• non-tax laws
• FSA regulation
• the FSA's conduct of business rules
• anti-money laundering rules
• complaints and compensation
• the Data Protection Act 1998

2. Investments and Risks

Focuses upon the principles of investment and investment products. The module is divided into 2 units, each unit consists of 50 multiple choice questions (100 questions in all)

Areas covered:

• macro environment factors
• taxation
• investment returns
• investors' risk
• asset allocation
• investment planning
• tax planning strategies, calculation and procedures
• legal framework for providing advice
• asset classes
• product types
• applying suitable investment product solutions

3. Retirement Planning and Protection

Focuses upon the main aim and strategies of retirement planning and the purpose and scope of financial protection. The module is divided into 2 units, each unit consists of 50 multiple choice questions (100 questions in all)

Areas covered:

• financial protection
• life assurance
• income protection policies
• mortgage-related insurance
• retirement planning
• tax treatment of pensions
• state pension benefits
• pension schemes
• investment of pension funds
• legislation and taxation

4. Assessment of Investment Advice Knowledge

Focuses on applying the knowledge and understanding of the previous 3 modules to apply suitable financial solutions within the regulatory and ethical framework. This module is case study based consisting of 6 case studies (10 multiple choice questions per case study)

Areas covered:

• UK financial services industry, regulation and ethics
• investments and risk
• protection
• retirement planning

EXAMINATION DURATION FOR EACH MODULE IS 2 HOURS

**IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO GIVE ADVICE ON
ANY MORTGAGE RELATED PRODUCT IF NOT SUITABLY QUALIFIED**