Alex Breadmore

AF3 (Pension Planning)

This examination assesses the candidate to develop in-depth financial planning skills related to personal and corporate pensions.

AF5 (Financial Planning Process)

This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.

G10 (Taxation and Trusts)

This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK tax system, the law and practice of trusts, but also an ability to advise individual clients on the tax treatment of their investments and the use of trusts to meet their current and foreseeable future needs.

CF9 (Pensions Simplification)

This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the government’s simplified pension taxation regime which came into full effect on 6 April 2006 (A-Day). Eight tax regimes for pensions were reduced to one, radically affecting planning and transactions.

J04 (Pension Funding Options)

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: main tax and legal frameworks that govern the accumulation phase of building up retirement benefits under registered pension schemes; features of defined contribution and defined benefit pensions; choices faced by early leavers and use of transfer value analysis; State retirement benefits available, including the risks and suitability of contracting out of the State Second Pension.

J05 (Pension Income Options)

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: process of decumulating pension funds and the main issues for clients and advisers; main choices facing members of pensions schemes during decumulation; features, risks and tax treatment of the secured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of the unsecured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of phased retirement; features, risks and tax treatment of the alternatively secured pension option.

J08 (Financial Planning Practice)

At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to apply their knowledge and understanding of the financial planning process to meet the financial planning requirements of clients.

MAQ (Mortgage Advice Qualification)

This qualification assesses the knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry together with types of mortgage products and repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.

R01 (Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics)

This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.

R02 (Investment Principles)

This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the application of the investment advice process.

FP1 (Financial Services and their Regulation)

Assesses an understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation and legislation.

FP2 (Protection, Savings and Investment)

Assesses an understanding of protection, savings and investment products.

FP3 (Identifying and Satisfying Client Needs)

Assesses an understanding of conducting a fact-find, assessing the client’s needs, and recommending specific (appropriate) financial products to meet those needs.

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning

This qualification enables professional advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and covers topics like: personal tax and trust, business financial, pension and investment planning.

Diploma in Financial Planning

This level 4 Diploma meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for retail investment advisers, demonstrating core technical knowledge and financial planning capabilities across six core areas.

Certificate in Mortgage Advice

The level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for mortgage advisers. It develops an understanding of the sector and the mortgage process, enabling advisers to meet individual client needs.

Certificate in Financial Planning (Life & Pensions route)

The life and pensions route builds knowledge and understanding of the sector’s role and its activities. It considers important customer needs, solutions and products, and how individuals and organisations work within the regulatory and legislative environment.