qualifications

BPP Professional Education and the Securities & Investment Institute (SII) are teaming up to launch a Masters degree in wealth management.

The relationship between IFAs and their clients is stronger than ever as new research from AIFA shows 30% of clients have been with their adviser for 15 years or more.

The FSA's Retail Distribution Review is "fundamentally flawed" and ignores general consumers and a number of major issues, management consultancy Navigant warns.

The Retail Distribution Review (RDR) could give advisers the opportunity to regulate themselves through professional bodies, says Axa.

Three quarters of consumers searching for an IFA believe they should be at a higher qualification level than the FSA minimum.

The majority of financial advisers want to improve their qualifications in anticipation of the RDR, according to the CII.

A little-known standard created for UK advisers that requires no extra exams has taken on fresh significance after a ringing endorsement from the FSA.

PFS CEO Tim Eadon says providing a professional service as outlined in the RDR is not all about gaining ever higher levels of qualifications.

Firmer clarity on TCF would be a stronger deterrent than qualifications against cases of mis-selling and poor practice in the mortgage arena, say advisers.

Advisers who think their firms may go under following the implementation of the RDR should consider selling now while their firms are good value, according to Clerical Medical head of intermediary strategic planning David Shelton.