The Practice of Financial Planning

Route to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification
for CII Chartered Financial Planners

Our new pathway has been specifically designed to offer holders of the CII Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and CII Chartered Financial Planners a streamlined route to becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, without the constraints of a formal examination.

Complement your Chartered Financial Planner status with the globally recognised CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification to deliver a holistic financial planning service to your clients.

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Why take The Practice of Financial Planning Assessment?

The Professional Assessments recognise that experienced planners are often at client and/or business capacity and require a flexible, remote route to extend their learning.

The two units which form the Professional Assessment will cement your understanding of the essentials of financial planning, such as establishing client relationships, financial management, financial plan analysis, tax planning and client portfolios.

In combination with the CII Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning, the Professional Assessment provides an exemption from the CISI’s Level 6 Advanced Financial Planning examination and enables direct access to the goals-based learning journey of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification – the financial plan.

What are Professional Assessments?

These newly developed short online self-learning courses combine first-class content with a test and a formal certificate of achievement in one cost-effective package. Developed with experts and subject specialists, our Professional Assessments contain the most relevant and up-to-date material on the key topics which affect the financial services sector today. A mix of interactive content, the course comprises videos, interviews, reading and extra references and supporting materials that enhance your understanding as you learn.

Undertake the learning at your own pace and then sit the test at the end when you are ready. Like our Professional Refresher e-learning modules and world-renowned examinations, Professional Assessments are flexible, so you can choose when to study and when to take the test.



Key features


Short course of online self-learning taken anytime and anywhere on any device with an assessment certificate when you pass


Covers the essential information needed by professionals working in financial services on this subject


Enhances understanding of all the key elements from a global perspective


Written and reviewed by a team of experts

Who is it for?

These Professional Assessment units are designed specifically for candidates who have achieved the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (which leads to the Chartered Financial Planner designation).

Candidates who hold the CII Advanced Diploma (with an RDR-compliant qualification for FCA activities 4 & 6 (with gap fill if required)) and who pass both The Practice of Financial Planning Professional Assessment units will be exempt from the CISI’s Level 6 Advanced Financial Planning examination. Completion of the Professional Assessment will allow candidates to go straight onto the CISI’s Level 7 Financial Plan Case Study.

Course contents

Unit 1

Methodology

Establishing Client Relationships

Financial Management

Financial Plan Analysis

Dynamic Financial Planning

Unit 2

The Taxable Nature of Assets and Liabilities

The Tax Structure of Client Accounts

Tax Planning Strategies and Recommendations

Client Portfolios

Potential Vehicles for Use in Client Portfolios

Assessing the Suitability of Proposed Vehicles

The Composition of Investment Policy Statements and Periodic Reports



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Technical Details

These Professional Assessment units are an online course that you can study anytime, anywhere and on any device. A mix of interactive content, it comprises videos, interviews and extra references and materials that may enhance your learning. The course seeks to give you a comprehensive understanding of a key subject.

Unit 1Unit 2
Recommended Study Time9 Hours6 Hours 45 Minutes
Test Time90 Minutes45 Minutes
Test Type20 Questions
• 10 standalone questions
• 2 case studies, each with 5 associated questions 		10 Questions
• 5 standalone questions
• 1 case study with 5 associated questions
Pass Marks60%60%
AvailabilityComplete at any time onlineComplete at any time online
Claimable CPD Hours10.5 Hours CPD7.5 Hours CPD

Purchase now

PLEASE NOTE: On 31 July 2023, this course will be republished with updated content and questions. Therefore, the current version of this course will only be available to purchase (and repurchase if you have previously been unsuccessful in your two test attempts) up to 30 July 2023. Once you have purchased a version, you will have 12-months to complete the course. If you pass the test, you will be able to view the content for the remainder of your 12-month access period. If you are unsuccessful in your two test attempts, you will no longer have access to the course content, and it will need to be repurchased. From 31 July 2023, the updated version of this course will be the only version available to purchase.

Includes 1 year access to the Professional Assessment units

Two attempts at the end of module test1

£325
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1 Two unsuccessful attempts at the end of module test, subsequent tests will be at a reduced 50% rate