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IFS DipFA Fact Find exam 7th July 2016

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The Fact Find for the next exam has just been released, and there is plenty to get your teeth into!rp_finance-role1-300x200.jpg

What is covered?

The fact find covers a wide variety of topics, such as;

  • Inheritance Tax Planning
  • Final Salary Pensions
  • Investment Planning
  • Ethical Investments

and more, all to be researched and then written up in a 3 hour exam.

As always, there may also be areas or information missing or incomplete, which you will be expected to spot and account for, followed by some amendments on the day.

What does the exam look like?

Remember, the exam is there to test your knowledge, understanding, and crucially the application of that knowledge to the client’s situation and needs.

You will have to write or type out a full Suitability Report from scratch in three hours.  Whilst the report may not fully resemble a ‘real life’ report, (it is after all an exam) that is a tall order.

A good thing to remember is that you need to explain your recommendations, and why they are suitable for the clients, even if it seems ‘obvious’.

How should you prepare?

Research and Practice!

Reading and studying the required areas covered in the Fact Find is essential. Web searching the basics and then following up with the IFS Study Topic Folders is useful for most candidates.

Then once you have formulated some solid recommendations practice delivering your report in the 3 hour limit.

Remember though that anything can come up as an amendment on the day if the subject is in the syllabus!

Where can I get help?

For those looking to gain extra support on top of the IFS help and guidance, Futuretrend are running online courses and a one day course in London on 11th June 2016

However you choose to study, Good Luck to all those engaging with this exam!

Paul Davis

IFS DipFA Coursework July 2016 A Five Point Guide to get you started…

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Ok, so you’ve looked at your Coursework questions…what next?courses-image

First thing is to try and get your head around the main report question.  You need to consider how to draft a business report aimed at the MD of a company that has almost no employee benefits and wants to introduce an Auto-Enrolment pension, plus other potential benefits.  Think about what do you want to know about, and also what do they need to know about?  The question is very helpful here as it lists several points of required information for you.

Second, think about the structure of the report.  Based on my experience, a lot of candidates struggle here.  The Executive Summary has thrown some people.  You can search online for a simple “how to” on this.

Here’s a link I found to a really helpful detailed explanation of what a good executive summary should look like.  

Then think about having a report title, some chapters (with chapter headings!), and work out what each chapter will cover.  Tidy up at the end with a neat summary.

Third think about references.  The referencing has been massively simplified by the IFS, and the new approach is a welcome change of direction, as it will help candidates focus on the actual work rather then spend hours trying to format a full academic bibliography.  But you still need references!  Best to think about this as you go along…

Fourth, think about technical knowledge.  What do you know about stakeholder pensions?  Auto-enrolment?  Employee Benefits?  Costs?  Tax implications for the employer?  Tax implications for the employee?  Bound to be some areas you don’t know much about – best get studying!

Five, when going on to the short answer questions, remember they do not need referencing, or long introductions.  Most short questions in the Coursework can be covered using bullet points or short sentences.  They are called short questions for a reason!

Need more help?

If you are looking for more help, you can consider the Futuretrend online DipFA Coursework course, which I am running, and / or also the IFS tutors as well if you are signed up for them.

Good Luck!

Paul Davis, BA (Hons), Cert. Mgmt (Open), Dip. PFS,

IFS DipFA Coursework Jan 2016 …the focus is on economics!

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Some pointers…

The IFS Coursework consists mainly of a 4,000 word essay.  The essay is marked according to QCF level 4 relevant academic standards (equivalent to the first year of a degree course).  As part of this, a bibliography meeting the required academic format is mandatory.  There are also three additional short questions on other topics.

The Coursework due for the end of January 2016 focuses on economics – OK it doesn’t actually say that but it is at heart an economics essay plus further work on investing!  You are writing an article for a magazine issued by a firm of solicitors and the potential audience is defined as “higher earners” who hold investments.  This blog covers some basic ideas about how to tackle this tough assignment.  However, there is no substitute for hard work and study!

So, what is this Coursework all about?  Well, if you hadn’t noticed, there have been a lot of significant economic events over the last few years, and those events plus the political and economic decisions that have followed them have had a major impact on investment markets.  The essay asks you to concentrate on the last 12 months.

You could talk about the economic ‘slow-down’ in China; the stalling of growth in the Eurozone and Japan; the re-emergence of growth in the USA and some other countries including the UK and Germany; the on-going Quantitative Easing in the US/UK/Eurozone and Japan; record low or negative interest rates; record low inflation or deflation; the global expansion in credit; and so it goes on…

You might then talk about the impact on investment markets and then the potential impact on people’s investments.

Don’t forget to think about different types of investments, investment products, and portfolio construction including risk, taxation and suitability, that individual clients or potential clients may hold.  Given the audience taxation is likely to be a key consideration for many candidates.

You might also want to cover professional and suitable advice.

The IFS Study Folders contain an excellent starting point for research on the technical side of investing and taxation.  Significant further reading and research is also required as part of this assignment.

It is essential for candidates to understand the referencing and bibliography requirements, and focus on a solid and thought-out structure, with clear headings.  (And don’t forget the other three short questions!)

For those looking for further support in addition to that provided by the IFS, why not consider booking onto the Futuretrend Distance Learning Course?

Paul Davis, BA (Hons), Cert Mgmt.(Open), Dip. PFS.

IFS DipFA Coursework Due 30/10/15

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courses-image

Some pointers…

The IFS Coursework consists mainly of a 4,000 word essay.  The essay is marked according to QCF level 4 relevant academic standards (equivalent to the first year of a degree course).  As part of this, a bibliography meeting the required academic format is mandatory.  There are also three additional short questions on other topics.

The Coursework due for the end of October focuses on Inheritance Tax Planning (IHT).  You are writing an article for a lifestyle magazine and the potential audience is defined as “high net worth” readers.  This blog covers some basic ideas about how to tackle this tough assignment.  However, there is no substitute for hard work and study!

So, what is this Coursework all about?  There is a lot of confusion amongst the general public about what IHT is, how it works, and whether planning for it should take place, or whether such tax planning can be achieved sensibly and legally.  Understanding the pros and cons of such tax planning is also a key area.

You could talk about what IHT is and why it exists.  Plus how much tax revenue IHT creates and what it is spent on.  You could explain how IHT is calculated and how it works.  You could discuss whether and how IHT should be planned for, and if so, what are the legitimate planning and mitigation options available?  Remember to focus on the audience mentioned in the question.

As you are describing holistic financial planning, you should not just restrict yourself to financial products – you also need to talk about professional and suitable advice.

The IFS Study Folders contain an excellent starting point for research on how the IHT taxation regime operates, plus technical guidance and knowledge around specific potential planning and mitigation.  Significant further reading and research is also required as part of this assignment.

It is essential for students to understand the referencing and bibliography requirements, and focus on a solid and thought-out structure, with clear headings.

For those looking for further support in addition to that provided by the IFS, why not consider booking onto the Futuretrend DipFA Coursework Distance Learning Course?

IFS DipFA Fact Find Exam April 2015 – Possibly the most challenging one yet!

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So, here we are, the Fact Find for the April exam has been released.  There are some intriguing exam analystaspects to these hypothetical clients’ situations.

There is a complex arrangement of the client’s financial affairs at death, and some interesting aspects of their current financial affairs.  In many ways, the IFS have delivered a more challenging exam than we have seen for a while, yet perhaps this is actually more realistic in terms of how people’s actual financial arrangements are in real life.

However, as in all fact find exams, regardless of how “life like” or not the exam is, the scenario is actually there to test your knowledge, and crucially, the application of that knowledge, to the clients circumstances, needs and objectives.

This blog summarises some of the key issues candidates will need to consider for this exam, and some pointers that students may find useful to review and refresh themselves of in addition to other study – this blog is not a comprehensive guide to the exam but should get you started.

As always, a solid understanding of taxation is required.  Anyone not fully clued up on the tax treatment of pensions, income and investments should immediately head to the IFS Study Folders (issued by the IFS when they started the DipFA course), and look up the Taxation folder, as well as the Retirement Planning folder.

 

For this particular exam, some key areas are;

  • Technical knowledge of Defined Benefit pensions (Final Salary) – is there a little ‘trap’ here for the unwary?!
  • Inheritance Tax options and planning
  • Investment planning and risk, especially around ethical investments

This is most definitely not a comprehensive list, and of course don’t forget, anything in the syllabus can be considered relevant for the exam.  The amendments on the day can cover any issue covered in the Study Folders, or related to these areas.  Candidates would be well advised to at least review the sections of the Study Folders for areas of advice they are not familiar with prior to the exam itself.  According to recent Examiner’s reports, many candidates are missing out on marks as a result of not sufficiently addressing the amendments on the day.  If there are gaps in your knowledge compared to the syllabus, you run the risk of being caught out…

 

Further help can be found via Futuretrend’s DipFA fact find training courses.

Which Financial Advisor Diploma should you study?

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A Summary of the IFS and CII Financial Advisor  Diploma Courses

This blog summarises the basic elements of both the IFS and CII image-calc
Diploma courses.  It should be noted that neither is “better” or more “difficult” than the other, it is simply a question of which qualification route is more suitable for you.  Whilst I cannot offer individual career advice, hopefully the information in this blog will help you if you are trying to decide which option to choose.

What does the Diploma qualify you to do?

The qualification means that you can advise on regulated collective pensions and investment products, including all types of funds; as well as insurance products.  The qualification does not cover mortgage advice which requires a separate qualification.  The qualification does not cover Discretionary Investment Management or advice on Direct Securities (Stocks and Shares), both of which require additional or different qualifications

Candidates should make their own decisions based upon their own requirements and career plans.  Full details are on the relevant professional bodies’ websites.  The information in this blog is based on the relevant websites.

CII

http://www.cii.co.uk/qualifications/diploma-in-regulated-financial-planning-qualification/

IFS

http://institute.ifslearning.ac.uk/Qualifications/QualificationsinFinancialAdvice/DipFA.aspx

 

What is the Diploma and what does it involve?

 Both the IFS and CII Diplomas are recognised as compliant qualifications for Investment Advisers, that is those wishing to advise on pensions and investments, which technically means holding the FCA Approved Person status CF30.  Both the IFS and CII options are recognised by the FCA as appropriate qualifications, and are at an academic level called QCF Level 4 which has been confirmed as such by OfQual (the exams regulator).

It is worth remembering that the syllabus is issued by the FCA, and each Diploma therefore meets that syllabus.  However, despite the fact they share the same syllabus, they are tested very differently;

 

  • The CII route has a greater emphasis on ‘technical’ knowledge and there is more maths. There are five multiple choice exams and one written exam, with each technical area of the syllabus being tested separately then all the areas being brought together for the last written exam.  For candidates that are looking to focus on investments, are comfortable with multiple choice assessments, prefer a more technical approach, or who don’t really fancy writing essays (see IFS below), this is probably a solid route to consider.

 

  • The IFS route has a greater emphasis on a more holistic or generalist approach, and is less ‘technical’ with less emphasis on maths. However, it only has one multiple choice exam (regulations and ethics), and instead has two demanding essay based assessments, which have to be written at an academic standard equivalent to the first year at University. In both written assessments, technical knowledge is tested as part of an overall written assignment.  For candidates that are looking at more general financial planning, are less ‘technical’, or who prefer the essay option, this is probably a solid route.

 

I tutor and train candidates for each route, so I know that each route is a demanding and difficult route to take!  However, on an individual basis, candidates may feel that a particular route is more suitable for themselves.  Some-one who is very uncomfortable doing essays may be better off with the CII route, whereas some-one who is uncomfortable with more technical questions may be better off with the IFS route.

 

Even though the two Diplomas are equal in the eyes of the FCA’s requirements that does not mean that the IFS and CII necessarily see each other’s qualification as equal!  A recent article described the cost incurred by a Diploma qualified adviser who switched from being an IFS member to a CII member (1).  Some-body switching from one diploma route to another would need to apply for credits based on their existing exams, which is assessed on an individual basis each time.  Therefore, before commencing a Diploma, students should seriously consider which body they wish to study with based upon their own requirements and future career plans.

 

Timescales may also be important to you.  All of the CII Multiple Choice exams, and the one IFS Multiple Choice exam, can be accessed all year round at your own convenience.  However, the final CII paper, R06, is quarterly.  The last two written assessments from the IFS (called Advanced Financial Advice or AFA) are also quarterly and are taken one after the other.

 Comparison Table – see notes below

 

  Cost Modules/Units Study Time(hours) Summary of Assessment Pass Mark
IFS £684 3 400 ·      One Multiple Choice exam (FSRE)·      One Coursework (4,000 word essay and short questions)

·      One Written Exam (Suitability Report 3 hour written exam)

·      Together known as AFA

 ·      70% for the Multiple Choice Exam·      50% for the two written assessments
CII £1,059 6 370 ·      Five Multiple Choice Exams (R0 1 to 5) 

 

·      One Written Exam (Fact Find 3 hour exam short answers) (R06)

 ·      65% to 70% for the Multiple Choice exams·      55% for the Fact Find exam

 

Notes –

  • IFS – The costs of the IFS option can be reduced to £575 if you decide not to take up the IFS online tutor option. However, if you decide to ‘de-link’ the IFS FSRE and AFA to take the qualification in less or more than the 9 months’ timetable, the costs may increase.  The IFS costs include the Study Texts automatically.

 

  • CII – The CII Option is more expensive if you are not a CII member – frankly it just wouldn’t make sense not to join the CII! The CII option does not automatically include the Study Texts, so I have included them above.  However, if the Study Texts are not bought, the cost can be reduced significantly.  The above option is called the Diploma in Regulated Planning.

 

  • Re-sits will cost more in all cases.

 

Another option for existing CII exam holders

 

There is another CII Option, called the Diploma in Financial Planning.  This is useful for those who already hold other CII credits at Diploma level.  On a personal basis you can pick and choose from a wide range of R0 and J0 diploma level papers, and then provide Structured Gap Fill to ensure you meet the syllabus of the post RDR Level 4 FCA requirements.  However, be aware that the Gap Fill is genuine Structured Gap Fill!

 

 

Other Qualifications

 There are a wide range of approved qualifications, so this blog focuses on the ones that I train on.  The IFS and CII Diploma routes are the main routes for financial advisers, however there are others.  For those looking at stock-broking, the CISI also offers courses for investment advisers working solely in investment advice for stockbrokers, wealth managers, etc.  For such students and also those aiming for fund management or international investment based careers, there is also the CFA route.

 

Make Your Choice!

Whichever route you choose is ultimately up to you, as each Diploma achieves the regulatory requirements, albeit in different ways.  Some firms have a clear internal policy preference for a particular route so in those cases the choice may be made for you!

 

I hope this explanation and comparison of the two main Diploma options has helped you.

 

Paul Davis,

BA (Hons), Cert.Mgmt (Open), Dip. PFS

References

 

Notes –

All reference to external websites and bodies is taken at the readers own risk, as Lewis Davis Ltd accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any external website or organisation.  Errors and Omissions excepted.

The terms IFS, CII, CISI and CFA are registered trademarks and the use of these terms by Lewis Davis Ltd does not imply any association or accreditation by those bodies of Lewis

Paul provides  DipFA FSRE Training, Advanced Financial Advice Training and various  CII modules Training for Futuretrend

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IFS DipFA Coursework due in May – Pension Freedoms

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Pension Changes – This is a great essay question!
This is a fantastic bit of Coursework to get your teeth into!  This is very much a current issue in the retail financial services world.
Most students will be aware of the changes to the pension rules, which have already started and are due to come into effect fully in April 2015.  This question tests your knowledge of the new rules by asking you to describe the new rules for a hypothetical article in an Accountant’s quarterly magazine.
It’s really an essay!
As always with the Coursework, this is really an essay set at QCF Level 4, which is roughly the equivalent of an essay required during the first year of a degree course.
However, it is not enough just to know the new rules!  You will have to make the essay read-able, with a solid structure and avoid over-emphasis on client-unfriendly jargon.  As will all Level 4 study, you need to show the examiner that you understand the rules and can apply them in order to demonstrate understanding.
Start Your Research!
There is of course a huge amount of potential research available.  Ensure your research is properly recorded using the required referencing technique.  Explanation of the rules could focus, amongst other areas, on a comparison of the new vs. old rules; tax rules and implications; client needs and objectives; and so on.  The IFS Study Topic folders are a good starting place for any-one starting from scratch or needing to revise a specific area.  Always be critical, and I don’t mean negative!  Always look at the pros and cons.  The questions itself focusses on higher net worth clients, so particular attention is required for that client group.
Need more help and guidance?
Anyone looking for additional help in this area can sign up for our  distance learning course

 

Some helpful info for those studying DipFA FSRE

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The summary attached below links the Topics, i.e. chapters, in the IFS FSRE manual with the learning outcomes, and also identifies the potential marking available for that learning outcome.

The way to understand this is that the Learning Outcomes represent the syllabus issued by the FCA, and that is what is tested, not the study manuals!

Obviously all students need to take an holistic approach to the exam; however in terms of prioritising your study and exam technique, the ‘big hitters’ are;

  • Learning Outcome 5 (Topic 13/14)
  • Learning Outcome 6 (Topic 15/16)
  • Learning Outcome 7 (Topic 17/18).
  • Learning Outcome 9, 10,11 (Topic 21/22).

I hope this information helps you prepare for your DipFA FSRE.  You could also consider our 5 day DipFA FSRE Training course if you need further support.

FSRE Learning Outcomes and Topics List

 

 

IFS DipFA Coursework (Due 30/01/15)

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IFS DipFA Coursework (Due 30/01/15)

Some pointers…

The IFS Coursework consists mainly of a 4,000 word essay.  The essay is marked according to QCF level 4 relevant academic standards (equivalent to the first year of a degree course).  As part of this, a bibliography meeting the required academic format is mandatory.  There are also three additional short questions on other topics.

The Coursework due for the end of January 2015courses-image focuses on employee benefits.  You are writing a briefing for a company that is considering introducing more employee benefits.

Your essay could consider what such benefits are, the pros and cons of such benefits, and the tax treatment of such.

In preparation for one of our courses, the IFS Study Folders contain an excellent starting point for research on why and how the UK taxation regime operates, plus technical guidance and knowledge around specific potential benefits.  Further reading and research is also required as part of this assignment.

It is essential for students to understand the referencing and bibliography requirements, and focus on a solid and thought-out structure.

Further support can be found by booking attendance at the Lewis Davis Course on 5th December in Central London; or via the Futuretrend Distance Learning Course.

 

Paul Davis, BA (Hons), Cert Mgmt, Dip. PFS, Futuretrend Tutor.

IFS DipFA Coursework (Due 31/10/14)

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IFS DipFA Coursework (Due 31/10/14)

Some pointers…

The IFS Coursework consists mainly of a 4,000 word essay.
The essay is marked according tofinance-role1
QCF level 4 relevant academic standards (equivalent to the first year of a degree course).  As part of this, a bibliography meeting the required academic format is mandatory.  There are also three additional short questions on other topics.

The Coursework due for the end of October focuses on the use of discretionary fund management, covering the types of investment available, the tax treatment of such investments, how such investments can be beneficial or inadvisable for clients, specific compliance issues, and the potential for such investment by High Net Worth clients.

As investment into discretionary services appears to be becoming more popular, this is an important area, and thus the IFS have provided students with a relevant topic for this submission.

In preparation for one of our courses, the IFS Study Folders contain an excellent starting point for research on why and how the UK taxation regime operates, and the effects on higher earners.  By combining this information with relevant product and investment theory knowledge that shows the reader the pros and cons of such investments, students will make a start to providing a well researched essay.  Further reading and research is also required as part of this assignment.

It is essential for students to understand the referencing and bibliography requirements, and focus on a solid and thought-out structure.

Further support can be found by booking attendance at one of Futuretrend’s DipFA courses, either via the remote support option  or one-to-one tuition.

Paul Davis, BA (Hons), Cert Mgmt, Dip. PFS, Futuretrend Tutor.