Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers DipFA

• Financial services profession.
• Regulations.
• Legislations.
• The Code of Ethics.

• The UK Taxation system.
• Taxation treatment of individuals and trusts when advising on investments.

• The economic environment and its impact on investments.
• Investment products and their performance in different situations.

• The importance of financial protection.
• Role and limitations of state benefits.
• Policies and solutions available to meet any protection shortfalls.

• Retirement planning and the political, economic, and social environmental factors which provide the context for pensions planning.
• Taxation regimes applicable to retirement planning.

• This coursework module develops the learners knowledge and capability to be able to demonstrate their ability to provide effective financial planning solutions for clients.

Module 1 – one, 2 hour-multiple choice assessment split into two units with each unit including 25 multiple-choice questions, 3 case studies with 5 linked multiple-choice questions. Both units are worth a total of 80 marks.

Modules 2-5 each have a 90-minute multiple-choice exam that is split into 2 units. Each unit includes 20 multiple-choice questions, 2 case studies with 5 multiple-choice questions related to each case study. Each unit is worth 30 marks.

Module 6 – Coursework consisting of pre-released fact find with an essay response worth 240 marks.

Assessment fees are not included within the course price. These can be taken on a modular basis, and paid for as you progress through the qualification.

Exam fees are currently as follows:

Module 1 – Financial Services Regulation & Ethics – £320

Module 2 – Taxation – £220

Module 3 – Investment – £220

Module 4 – Protection – £220

Module 5 – Retirement Planning – £220

Module 6 – Coursework – £180

If learners wanted to go on and gain their CEMAP qualification after completing this course, they would not be required to complete Module 1 of the CEMAP qualification.

Due to the nature of the qualification, there is online study but also a number of virtual events the students have to attend. These are full days which the student can book onto. 21 days in advance of the session taking place, they are provided with a digital course pack. The sessions themselves run for full days split into morning (9:30-12:30) and afternoon (13:30-16:30) sessions.

The sessions required for each module are as follows:

Module 1 – 4 days

Module 2 – 2 days

Module 3 – 3 days

Module 4 – 2 days

Module 5 – 3 days

For module 6 learners are given access to study aides to help complete their coursework assignment. They need to complete the coursework element within four weeks.

Providing all assessments are passed and completed the student will be awarded the Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisors (DipFA). Upon completion, you are also able to use the ‘DipFA’ designation after your name.

This qualification provides a route for learners to become a qualified financial adviser.