The FSA could wrench the mandate to update qualifications standards from the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC), and force a review of the criteria every three years.
Currently control for maintaining and adjusting assessment standards rests with the FSSC. But today the FSA has pointed to the need for a more rigorous review regime than is in place, and says it is uncertain whether the present arrangement should be allowed to continue. It proposes reviewing exam standards every three years, which could mean advisers taking qualifications now as required by the 2012 deadline may no longer meet FSA criteria by 2015. In CP10/12 Competence and ethics, the FSA states: "To ensure that examination standards continue to accurately reflect industry roles...
To continue reading this article...
Join Professional Adviser for free
- Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
- Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
- Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
- Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
- Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
- Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes