Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA®)
Entry Level 4
Would you like to become a Financial Adviser?
If you’re interested in the world of investments and personal finance and enjoy working with people, a career in financial advice could be ideal for you. Working in financial advice can be a very rewarding career and offers the flexibility to work for yourself or within a company.
The DipFA is a leading qualification in the financial world, and by passing the DipFA course you will become a qualified Independent Financial Adviser (IFA).
The DipFA is a level 4 FCA approved qualification and designed specifically for those who are new to the financial services world. With as little as seven months of part time study, you’ll be equipped with the technical skills and knowledge you need to legally offer advice on retail investments.
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Did you know, we helped over 500 advisers achieve DipFA leading up to the RDR deadline
Qualification:
Module
Learning Outcomes
Assessment
Unit 1 –
Financial Services Regulation Ethics (FSRE)
The environment of the financial services industry
Key components and the interrelationships of the financial system
Principles of the regulatory framework and the implications for the financial advice process
The importance of the concept of risks related to the institutions and individuals’ legal concepts, and the interplay between regulation and legislation
The FCA’s approach to ethical and unethical behaviours and the code of Ethics
2-hour objective exam comprising 90 multiple-choice questions and 2 case studies with 5 linked multiple-choice questions.
Unit 2 –
Advanced Financial Advice (AFA
Products, services and legislation that inform the financial planning and advice process.
Principles, theories and interrelationships of investment, retirement planning and protection.
The importance of consumer-oriented communication and ethical behaviours.
Assessed through a combination of coursework and written exam:
- Coursework comprising written assignment and short answer questions.
- Written exam based on pre-released fact find which is available 6 weeks prior to exam.
Career Progression:
The DipFA course is the ideal start to your career in Financial Advice. Once you’ve qualified as a Financial Adviser, these Simply Academy courses are a great way to continue your career progression.
Studying our popular AdviserSkills course will help to get your new career off to the best possible start. This course develops the interpersonal skills you need to thrive as an Independent Financial Adviser, covering topics such as effective communication and building customer relationships.
If you would like to be able to offer Mortgage Advice to your clients, CeMAP is the benchmark Mortgage Advice qualification. By completing the FSRE unit of DipFA, you are exempt from having to pass CeMAP 1 and can progress directly to CeMAP 2&3. Once you have passed CeMAP, you will be qualified to offer advice on mortgage related products in addition to retail investments.
The Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER®) is a popular qualification which will allow you to advise clients on the ever growing equity release market. You need to hold CeMAP or a CeMAP equivalent qualification in order to take this course.
Study Options:
Live Webinar
Be part of the class from the comfort of wherever you choose.
Each live lecture is delivered by one of our highly experienced tutors, who all have expert knowledge of Financial Services and years of experience in their chosen field.
FAQ:
What is the DipFA qualification?
The Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA) Level 4 course is one of the most respected qualifications for UK financial advisers. Awarded by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), DipFA is a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approved qualification and highly respected by both clients and employers.
The two sections of the Simply Academy DipFA training course will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to provide professional financial investment advice. Once you have completed both sections and passed the DipFA exams, you will be legally qualified to work as a Financial Adviser in the UK.
Does studying DipFA require any financial services experience?
Our DipFA financial adviser training course is designed to be suitable for people without a background in financial services. The DipFA study materials will give you a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge you’ll need to begin your career in financial advice.
Many of our students like to study DipFA alongside our AdviserSkills course, which helps you to develop skills like record keeping, negotiation and time management. These skills are also vital for success as a financial adviser.
Does it take long to study?
The total length of time needed to study DipFA will vary for each individual student. However, you could be ready to take your final DipFA exam after as little as seven months’ part-time study.
The first module (FSRE) comprises ten Live Webinar sessions, each lasting three hours. You can start reading the course materials for this part of the DipFA course immediately after registration. Once you have completed your five-day Live Webinar, you can then sit the multiple choice DipFA FSRE exam at a time that suits you.
The second part of the DipFA (AFA 1&2) course comprises a total of eight Live Webinar sessions, each of which is three hours long. This part of the DipFA qualification is assessed via a coursework assignment and exam. When you enrol on your chosen AFA 1 & 2 Live Webinar course, you will be provided with the relevant dates for the coursework submission and examination.
Is DipFA difficult?
DipFA is a Level 4 course, so some students may find it more difficult than other courses. It’s a challenging qualification but is achievable for students who receive specialist tutor support from an appropriate financial services education provider.
Simply Academy students receive access to our high-quality learning materials, and our team of tutors use their considerable industry experience to present the DipFA syllabus in an engaging way. And because the online Live Webinars are recorded, you can use the sessions as a useful revision resource.
Every student learns differently, but many of our students like the fact that taking DipFA means you only need to pass three assessments to be a financial adviser.
Where can I take the exams?
You can take your DipFA FSRE exams at test centres in locations nationwide or alternatively through remote invigilation. The AFA unit of DipFA is assessed through a coursework assignment and an exam.
The cost of DipFA exams is not included in your DipFA course cost and you will need to pay this fee separately when you register with the awarding body.
Can I use the DipFA designation?
You will receive DipFA certification once you have passed the full Diploma for Financial Advisers qualification, which then qualifies you to use the letters DipFA after your name. Passing DipFA shows that you have achieved this highly respected FCA recognised qualification to legally provide financial advice.
Where can I work after passing this qualification?
Many students who pass the DipFA go on to become self-employed independent financial advisers. Some students prefer to pursue employment in banks, building societies and other financial services companies, providing specialist advice on investment products.
Some personal financial advisers also decide to study CeMAP which allows them to provide mortgage advice to their clients. Successfully completing the FSRE module of DipFA exempts them from studying CeMAP 1, so they only need to pass the CeMAP 2&3 course to achieve their licence to practise.
Do I need to renew my DipFA certification?
There is no expiry on DipFA certification so once you have successfully achieved your DipFA qualification, you will not need to retake the course in the future. However, the financial industry is ever changing, and qualified financial advisers are legally required to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This ensures that you are up to date with the latest financial regulations and can provide accurate information to your clients.
