CeFA

dunstonh

The CII ones are done at regional locations which are in most major cities. I dont know about CEFA though.

johng_uk

I'm sure there will be one near (or in) Shrewsbury.

I plan to start one after I finish my ECDL and IT NVQ - So in the next 2 - 3 months or so.

Thanks to all for the info on CeFA - All the threads have made good/informative reading.

dunstonh:

If you can spare a moment of your time.

What would you advise in my situation mate?

I'm looking to get into finance in an advisory role. I'm 28 and in a job where after I do another 14 years I will have an immediate pension. Therefore leaving would be a financial wrench, as for a complete job change I would take a substancial drop in pay. Particularly as the IFA route you speak of involves starting at a bank as a salesperson (no doubt on minimum wage).

Doing the CeFA etc and potentially a business/financial degree would open up doors - But I concur that there is no real substitute for experience. I have the potential to undertake any other courses that are relevant.

Would you happen to know if IFA's would take on people for weekend work/shadow sessions?

I know I'm clutching at straws here, but in today's climate turning my back on a pension at 43 would be silly but I don't want to do this job forever!

dunstonh

http://www.cii.co.uk/app/unitshop/FSshop.aspx?award=CertFP&endstem=1&unit=CF1&shoptype=fs

type in your postcode and that will show you the nearest one to you for the CII exams. As you havent started yet, I will repeat that I feel the CII option is the better one. Especially if IFA is the likely route.

The CF1-5 gets you the required exams to be a tied agent. The J0x series is diploma level which will probably be the minimum to be an IFA from 2009. The AFx level (advanced diploma) is equivalent to a degree and allows you to use the chartered standard and that would allow you to walk into many top firms without having to do the tied rep role first.

Would you happen to know if IFA's would take on people for weekend work/shadow sessions?

Most IFAs are small local firms. Its mostly a cottage industry. So, it is possible

Maybe doing CF1-5 and J01 onwards would be a good option for you whilst you are still earning. You can only sit the diploma (and higher) exams in April and October so do one every 6 months.

Particularly as the IFA route you speak of involves starting at a bank as a salesperson (no doubt on minimum wage).

It doesnt have to be that way. Its just spending time as a mortgage adviser first or a tied agent is the most common way. Both roles are low paid generally when you start out.

johng_uk

dunstonh:

Thanks very much for the info mate. It's much valued and appreciated.

It is something I will have to consider carefully. I am fairly successful so far in my career and earn a decent wage etc. My job could take me through to retirement easily but it is not what I choose to do.

At my stage in life with wife, kids, mortgage in next couple of years etc, I couldn't take a massive drop in wage and therefore I am keen to learn whilst still earning. I am more than willing to do courses and will enquire with local IFA's about shadowing once I have completed the CeFA or CII.

Incidentally (and I'm sure there will be more than me inteested in the answer to this one), what is the main differences between the CII and CeFA courses and why is the CII better regarded by yourself?

Many thanks in advance.

daku

taking cefa module 2 soon, is it harder than the 1st??

Aegis

daku wrote: »

taking cefa module 2 soon, is it harder than the 1st??

Much easier if you ask me.

I've booked CeFA 3 for about 5 weeks from now, so my learning isn't stopping just yet!

daku

hey ageis

how long did it take you to study for part 2?

I registered in may2007 for cefa2 and my exam is in about 12days, are there any significant updates I should be aware of?

Aegis

daku wrote: »

hey ageis

how long did it take you to study for part 2?

I had the material for over 6 months, but did nothing with it for much of that. I reckon about a month of part-time study was enough for me.

dunstonh

BTW, saw the stats earlier this week that showed that the CII exams are taken by just over 90% of those in financial services.

Daki, is it Cefa module 2 or CII's CF2 that you are sitting in two weeks? I am sitting CF2 in two weeks to give myself an easy 20 points rather than sit another Jxx diploma level exam.

Aegis

dunstonh wrote: »

BTW, saw the stats earlier this week that showed that the CII exams are taken by just over 90% of those in financial services.

Daki, is it Cefa module 2 or CII's CF2 that you are sitting in two weeks? I am sitting CF2 in two weeks to give myself an easy 20 points rather than sit another Jxx diploma level exam.

I think once I have CeFA and CeMAP my company will be happy for me to take the CII Diploma level papers. Very kind of them!