AdvDipIP- Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
This qualification enables professional advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities, covers topics like: personal tax and trust, business financial, pension and investment planning.
AF1 – Personal Tax and Trust Planning
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.
AF3 – Pension Planning
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal and corporate pensions.
AF4 – Investment Planning
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to investments and the management of investment portfolios.
AF5 – Financial Planning Process
This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.
CF1 – UK Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics
The objective of this unit is to develop an understanding of the financial services industry including regulation and legislation.
CF2 – Investment and Risk
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the risks involved.
CF3 – Financial Protection
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of financial protection plans.
CF4 – Retirement Planning
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the various pension products, the pension tax regime and retirement needs.
CF5 – Integrated Financial Planning
This module provides a solid grounding in the financial services industry and its regulation.
CF8 – Certificate in Financial Planning and Long-Term Care Insurance
This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, long-term care insurance products and the giving of long-term care insurance advice.
DipFP – Diploma In Financial Planning
This qualification develops advanced technical knowledge and understanding across a broad range of key advisory areas.
FA1 – Life Office Administration
The objective of this unit is to develop an understanding of life and pensions issues, together with detailed guidance on the administration of these classes of business.
J01 – Personal Tax
At the end of this unit, candidates are able to demonstrate an understanding of: the basic structure of the tax system and self-assessment; the main taxes on income and capital that may be charged on individuals, the self-assessment system and how tax liabilities are computed; impact of residence and domicile on an individual’s liability to UK tax.
J02 – Trusts
At the end of this unit, candidates are able to demonstrate an understanding of the: legal principles associated with the creation and management of a trust; main types of trusts that are common in the UK; taxation considerations relevant to trusts.
J04 – Pension Funding Options
At the end of this unit, candidates are 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 are 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.
R08 – Pensions update
The objective of this unit is to develop knowledge and understanding of changes introduced by the Taxation of Pensions Act 2014.
My professional life
I have been an adviser for almost 15 years, having spent the previous 26 years in the Royal Navy. I am Chartered, which means I have gone the extra mile to gain experience and qualifications over the minimal requirement. I specialise in retirement planning, pensions, investments, inheritance and tax planning.
I work with clients who want help to make sense of their financial circumstances, both technical and lifestyle. I really enjoy helping my clients to achieve their dreams and address that key question “When can I retire?”
My personal life
I am happily married to Nicci and have two wonderful children aged 12 and 14 which take up most of my time away from work. I love rugby, sailing, good food and drinking red wine; I feel that I was a Kiwi in another life.
I spend most of my time watching my son playing his numerous sports and taking my daughter all over the UK and Europe with her dinghy. When we do get a break from this, we enjoy quality family time and watching movies together and ‘The Grand Tour’ on Amazon Prime.
Find out more about Mark
Likes
- The Caribbean and travelling
- Quality weekends with my wife – no children!!
- Reading Autobiographies
- Dinner parties with friends
- Family time
Dislikes
- Bad drivers
- Not having time to read Autobiographies
- Poor service
- Being late
- Microwave food
- Pretentious wine drinkers
- People not doing what they said they will
What our clients say
We’re privileged to have worked with hundreds of clients over the years. Here, just some of our clients share their stories about how lifestyle financial planning has transformed their lives.