As the New Year sees the Retail Distribution Review kick in, requiring compulsory attainment of level 4 Diploma status as well on-going CPD to continue operating, Verridian is today launching a unique programme of learning designed to support financial advisers looking to continue their development to Chartered status.

The financial services recruitment and training consultancy, which works with leading financial institutions such as Santander, HSBC and RBS, has created a flexible learning programme to fit in with financial advisers’ busy work lives, at a time when most will have already recently accrued 140 CII points as part of their Diploma studies. 

The launch also comes ahead of the planned transformation of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a move designed to tighten regulatory and quality controls of financial services, in the spring of 2013.

Verridian Director Bill Tomlin believes this is the optimum time for many financial advisers to continue to improve their qualifications, particularly in light of the new regulatory requirements.  He explains,

“As seasoned recruiters and trainers in the financial services sector, we are only too aware of the time pressures on advisers, and understand that many have recently returned to a learning environment for some time to complete their diploma.

“In response we have developed the Route to Chartered programme which not only provides learners with the option of learning flexibly via e-learning and a mobile learning application our designers have developed in house, but also with more traditional “chalk and talk” classroom learning methods, for those that prefer a face-to-face learning environment.

“Chartered status is widely accepted as the gold standard qualification for financial advisers and we are already seeing many of our recruitment clients insist on Chartered status as a primary requirement. As the finance industry sees a complete transformation in terms of regulation and remuneration, professional standards will continue to be pushed up so clients can see exactly what they are paying for and why.

“As RDR changes mean high street banks may no longer give financial advice for free and consumers need to pay for expertise, I firmly believe that many will select their adviser based on their qualifications and experience, in a marketplace which is set to become more competitive.”

Ian Scott, head of wealth planning at Arbuthnot Latham adds, “As a private bank with corporate chartered status for our wealth planning, we ensure that all of our senior financial planners are chartered, and we know the value our clients place on this chartered status, and that this commitment helps differentiate our professional advisers from those who attain the bare minimum qualification requirement.  Our clients expect to pay a professional fee for professional services, so this works well.

The work of the CII, PFS and IFP has been at the forefront of the ongoing development of a professional career path for financial advisers, and I believe this new offering from Verridian, which offers flexible learning to busy financial advisers who will already be in a learning frame of mind following Diploma completion, is very timely, and will help improve the professionalism of financial advisers further.”

Chartered status requires learners to build on their existing Diploma by achieving an Advanced Diploma.  This qualification comprises 120 Advanced Diploma credits which can be obtained through completing four of six available AF exams, and 30 credits through any CII financial services exam at any level. 

AF exam topics include Tax and Trusts, Pensions, Investments and the Financial Planning Process. 

About Verridian
Verridian is a Bristol based recruitment and training consultancy that is aware that everyone learns differently and as such provides an extensive learning resource offering a broad range of material that will fit all learning styles. The calibre of its trainers within the industry is of the highest quality, including Chartered Financial Planners, CII Trainers and CII Question Writers. Verridian Financial Services Training possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience within the industry and has many major organisations as partners and clients.

• Virtual classroom training programmes developed in association with the CII
• Money Marketing Academy RDR training partner
• IFS accredited training company
• IITT Training Company of the Year 2010 and 2011
• Recent RDR financial services clients include NMBA, Positive Solutions, Tenet Group, Lighthouse Group, Smith & Williamson, Just Retirement, Santander, HSBC, RBS, Paradigm Group and AXA

Verridian offers a range of training solutions, including traditional face to face courses, virtual classroom training programmes and remote learning options. It also provides training tailored to bespoke needs, on either a one-to-one or group basis.

Further information (external website)