Studying CII Certificate in Financial Planning

Robin_TBW

I'm currently studying for the first part of the CII Certificate in Financial Planning - CF1 and have my exam coming up on January 31st. I was wondering if anyone here had any tips from previously doing this study or any previous mock exams?

The study has been paid for by my new employer as they've stated that CF1 module is a requirement of my new position.

Also, if anyone has gone the Certificate in Financial Planning route how would you describe your experiences with the overall courses and would you recommend them? I'm only required to do CF1 module but have been told my employer would also pay for the others needed if I wish to go the whole way to fully qualifying for the Certificate. Wondering if I do put in the efforts for these other four modules, what possible doors could possibly be opened for me in future in other peoples experiences.

Thanks for any help.

InsideInsurance

I did the insurance side of the CII qualifications so dont have 100% relevant experience but the CII is well regarded in the financial services industry and almost no one is ever going to turn you down because you've got industry qualifications.

If your employers are willing to pay for training, and presumably give you leave for taking the exams etc, then I would take the opportunity.

shreddy

I also took the CII insurance route - I've completed the certificate and am 50% of the way through the diploma.

The certificate level is actually very easy and can be attained rather quickly and like you my employer has paid. I've noticed that many insurance job adverts at the moment state that it is favourable if you have or are willing to study towards professional qualifications.

I would recommend doing the exams (they have greatly improved my technical knowledge) and would also say that it's definitely worthwhile studying the past papers!

starrystarry

I've got the certificate and the diploma. As shreddy said, the certificate is fairly straightforward, go for it if your employer is paying for it. Nothing to lose.

Robin_TBW

I've got a few past papers for the CF1 exam but still not completely confident. What sort of differences would you say having CF1 to the full Certificate would make on my future career prospects and earning potential? Or, what difference did it make to yours with the Insurance Certificate?

InsideInsurance

Robin_TBW wrote: »

what difference did it make to yours with the Insurance Certificate?

I have Diploma of Insurance..... directly it hasnt necessarily gotten me more money however it is unusual for someone in my line of work to have such qualifications and so it helps me stand out from the crowd

I've had more than a few cases during interviews where the discussion has gone far away from change management or product development and instead into technical discussions on insurance, the industry, current trends etc (and very much discussions rather than Q&As).

As I tend to work in the business rather than IT the people that interview me tend to know much more about insurance than they do about say Prince2 so they get a greater comfort factor from the fact they can test me in an area they know about than something they're winging

In ~12 years since I did it I have not had a day out of work despite recessions and being a consultant/ contractor for much of it and charging top end rates.

Robin_TBW

InsideInsurance wrote: »

I have Diploma of Insurance..... directly it hasnt necessarily gotten me more money however it is unusual for someone in my line of work to have such qualifications and so it helps me stand out from the crowd

I've had more than a few cases during interviews where the discussion has gone far away from change management or product development and instead into technical discussions on insurance, the industry, current trends etc (and very much discussions rather than Q&As).

As I tend to work in the business rather than IT the people that interview me tend to know much more about insurance than they do about say Prince2 so they get a greater comfort factor from the fact they can test me in an area they know about than something they're winging

In ~12 years since I did it I have not had a day out of work despite recessions and being a consultant/ contractor for much of it and charging top end rates.

That's always a positive as I know that at the moment the number of people are being put out of work is growing all the time. I want to be able to come out of things having improved myself in every way possible and stand in good stead for any future opportunities. I think I'm going to push on after the CF1, it's just finding the concentration to do the reading and understand it at the same time really.

I do want to be earning as much as I can though at the same time and want these qualifications to have a big enough effect to get me that. I realise it's not going to come overnight (as much as I'd like it to) but I want to be earning £30,000 before I'm 30.

I've been working in the company I am now since March and have been promoted in that time so have taken that first step. Just want to make sure I'm pushing on enough to continue that trend and don't end up at a dead end.

Robin_TBW

Ok, so I passed CF1 a week ago. Got my R05 book through a few days ago. Does anyone have any mock papers for this module?