Should IFAs be forced back to the classroom?

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For the vast majority of IFAs who have been offering sound advice to clients for years, the news from the RDR that a higher standard of adviser qualifications and professionalism is needed will have come as a shock.

The Professionalism Working Group, whose findings were published as part of the review, says the appropriate examination minimum may be Certified Financial Planner for primary level advisers. For those considered professional financial planners, the PWG expects the minimum accreditation to be the equivalent of of the Chartered Insurance Institute's 'Chartered Financial Planner' or the Institute of Financial Planning's 'Certified Financial Planner." Advisers who lack the necessary qualifications would need to undertake further study to fulfill their target role. At IFAonline, we received ...

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