Chartered status for Chris Yates

Our Chartered Financial Planner; Chris Yates, achieved his Chartered status on 4th December 2013.

The title Chartered Financial Planner is the most widely accepted “gold standard” qualification available for professional financial planners/financial advisers in the United Kingdom. Chartered status stands proud as in indicator of the highest standards of learning and ethical behaviour. Increasingly, consumers – who have grown weary and sceptical following years of financial scandal and falling standards in retail and commercial life – are actively seeking Chartered practitioners. Chartered acts as a kitemark for quality in the eyes of the public and is widely recognised as something people can trust.

Why Chartered status makes a difference?

Competence. Knowledge. Ethical behaviour. Do these terms sum up what you look for in your dealings with financial planning professionals? Well, they are precisely the qualities embodied by ‘Chartered’ status. The Chartered logo signifies that an individual or organisation has committed to:

the highest levels of technical and professional knowledge and competence through professional qualifications
keeping knowledge and skills up-to-date through continuing professional development
ethical conduct through adhering to an industry Code of Ethics enforced through disciplinary sanctions.

By definition, holders of the Chartered Financial Planner qualification are among the most experienced and most qualified advisers in the profession. As at May 2016, there were over 36,000 members of the Personal Finance Society (the professional body for financial advisers in the UK) of which over 5000 hold Chartered Financial Planner Status.

Achieving Chartered Financial Planner Status

To attain Chartered Financial Planner status as an individual, one must study for and pass approximately 14 exams. These are in various aspects of financial services and related subjects. Each exam offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute carries a certain number of “credits” in their qualification scheme. Credits can also be granted for equivalent exams passed form other awarding bodies. A total of 290 credits is required before Chartered status can be applied for. This generally takes several years to achieve.

One is also required to have five years relevant professional experience, and to demonstrate ongoing learning by completing a certain amount of Continued Professional Development each year. In addition, one is required to be a member of the Personal Finance Society, the professional body for Financial Planners, part of the CII Group.

Source: Wikipedia/CII June 2020