Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning

Hi Folks,

Wanted to know from people who have completed the diploma their thoughts.

I don't work in the Financial Advice business but I'm looking to enter into it and I've found from a few different job advertisements that this is an expected qualification to have.

Is this qualification obtainable without having worked in this area of business before. I know that technically it is, but I realistically, even with all the revision, is it possible to pass this without having worked in the business, at any level before?

I was on CII and looking at I've decided that this is definitely the career path that I want to go down. I don't have a degree as I went straight into work and it seems possible to get a job with this qualification, albeit experience may hinder my application.

Finally, the last point - Should I bypass the certificate altogether and go for the diploma, or work my way up? I don't see any job advertisements that will take on with just the certificate.

TIA
You'll find me sat in the corner with a pack of dry roasted and a Guinness.

Comments

  • The_Doc
    The_Doc Posts: 110 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts
    I obtained this qualification two years ago and I have never worked in the Financial Advice business. I work in IT for a financial services firm and have an interest in the subject.

    I decided to do this for a few reasons. Firstly because it was very useful to me and of interest. The savings on IFA fees more than makes up for the cost of the course. Secondly, I was considering becoming an IFA after being made redundant. In the end I decided to go back to IT part time rather than start as an IFA full time at the bottom of the ladder.

    I did the whole course in just over a year, part of which I was not working and part of which I was back working. So it is eminently achievable if you have the interest and motivation without having worked for a Financial Advice company.
  • ColdIron
    ColdIron Posts: 9,702 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Hung up my suit! Name Dropper
    ConMan wrote: »
    I don't work in the Financial Advice business but I'm looking to enter into it
    Some would say you have the perfect name for it :D
  • Herbalus
    Herbalus Posts: 2,634 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Motivation is the key to learning and doing well.

    I have gone into certain fields where I had great personal interest and been surprised at how little some people within those fields knew about them. Some people just fall into certain jobs without it being a vocation for them. If you have the interest and do your homework, I would not be surprised that you start from a better position than some in the industry.
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