qualifications

The cost to advisers of obtaining a mandatory ‘statement of professional standing' (SPS) certificate and completing their qualification gap-fill requirements by 1 January 2013 could hit £595 each, the FSA estimates.

The FSA has published the final list of authorised qualifications retail investment advisers can take to ensure they meet RDR requirements before 1 January 2013.

Stressed out IFAs studying for exams have been offered a helping hand remembering key revision material by a record-breaking memory specialist.

The CII's Rebecca Prestage discusses the examination options available to advisers.

Zurich is providing access to new online learning materials in a bid to help advisers studying for examinations for the up coming Retail Distribution Review (RDR).

Industry stakeholders are questioning the legitimacy of FSA proposals imposing a time limit on advisers to attain qualifications.

The FSA has moved to reassure IFAs any hikes in mandatory qualifications above QCF Level 4 post-RDR will only be implemented if the industry decides this is needed.

AIFA says the FSA's planned 30-month time limit for new advisers to qualify is one "arbitrary number" in a paper it says raises more questions than it answers.

The head of Informed Choice says the FSA's imposition of a 30-month qualification deadline is "perfectly reasonable" and brings a sense of clarity for advisers.

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.