Adviser rejects AIFA over 'pandering' to 'GCSE-level' IFAs

Laura Miller
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The Association of IFAs (AIFA) should be ashamed - not proud - of its part in reducing the minimum adviser qualification level, according to the managing director of Smart Financial Planning.

In an open letter to AIFA director general Chris Cummings, certified financial planner Steve Martin declines an invite to join the trade body by blasting Cummings for "pandering to commission-based, low-qualified advisers". Martin says: "I find it shocking and disappointing that AIFA continues to seek ways for GCSE level advisers to circumvent the drive to professionalism. "I feel you should be ashamed of your proclamation that had it not been for AIFA the minimum standard would be [QCF] Level 6 rather than Level 4. "I will not be taking up your kind offer to join AIFA as I feel th...

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