CII or IFS

nat90

Hello all,

sorry if I have posted in the wrong area!

I have been looking at doing my mortgage qualifications for some time.

now i am debating whether to go through the IFS route or the CII route.

IFS i would take the modules individually and be approx £365 per module (including the CDT tool) or doing the combined course at CII (£510 inc both modules, extra material and membership).

the main difference is CII is 2 exams where as IFS is 3. I had always planned on going through the IFS as that is what anyone i know that has done the CEMAP done it through but the CII has been recommended by a chartered IFA family friend. My only concern is with CII I have a year to complete where as IFS i have a year for each module but is obviously more expensive over all.

Bit about me: business management degree. worked in financials services (loans) and now in credit control. however, i start a new jobs in a few weeks in a reputable building society.

what are your opinions in which one to go with? pros or cons.

dunstonh

CII is more common with IFAs. Mainly for historical reasons. For my mortgage advisers, I have one with PFS and rest with CII.

I dont think it really matters which you do if you plan to stop at mortgage advice. However, if you have career aspirations to go fully authorised, I would go with CII.

If you cannot pass your mortgage qualifications in a year then you dont deserve to be in the job. They are not difficult

ACG

I did RO1 and CF6 - although you could do CF1 and CF6 which is cemap equivelent.

I only went that route as a previous employer paid for them. Im not sure how alike the exams are but the qualification is the same at the end.

The only real difference I have noticed is that if you pass cemap you can put cemap after your name. If you go the CII route you have to pay an annual membership to be able to put Cert MP after your name. But im not really all that fussed about letters after my name.

nat90

Thank you for all the advice!

I am hoping to do it in a year there just is not enough hours in the day sometimes!

think I will do the CII !:)