Achieving CAS status be a mortgage advisor

heathome

Hi guys,
I've recently joined an IFA practice working as an administrator. I've gained my qualifications to give advice on mortgages through CII over a year ago. The company I work for doesn't have time to help me gain my CAS status as there is only one advisor so their time is taken up pretty quickly! Does anyone have an idea's of how I can get signed off without doing it through my employer? Any input appreciated!

ACG

You probably cant. In order to go and work as a broker or trainee broker for another firm they will need references including from your current employer. Chances are one of them would have issues with you working for a competitor. 

If it is any use, my first role was as a "trainee broker/adminisitrator" which ended up being admin only. In the end I realised they were not helping me, so I started to generate my own leads in the hope that it would force their hand... It did, but I realised they had no intention of training me up, so I left. 

If they have no intention of training you up, you need to find an alternative or find a way to make it easy for them. Ask if you were to generate your own leads, would they allow you to take the first few steps on your own - ie completing a factfind and doing the research. They would need to check your research and then submit your application but after maybe 5-10 of those they may then also allow you to start doing the DIPs and then the full applications and then suitability letters. You could even offer to do some of the DIPs for the other broker to free up some of their time? Have a chat and see if you can take work away from them in other places to allow them to spend time helping you. 

heathome

Thanks for your input. I am slowly starting to realise they just aren't very interested in certifying me. I am actually already liaising with the clients, doing factfinds, research, DIP's, applications and suitability letters for brokers. The only part i'm missing out on are the actual client meetings! I guess the only thing I can do at this point is generate my own leads to try push them along.

ACG

You are doing as much as I do especially at the minute. 

It is a bit difficult to get signed off with CAS at the minute if they want to see you do the factfind as that is not possible, but maybe ask them how many cases you need to get CAS and if you were to generate your own leads would that do the job, just see if you can force the situation a little. 

If you re doing all that, I cant help but wonder what the adviser is doing beyond the factfind. That is a pretty cushy number for the adviser.