When I’m not at work ……I’m studying (well, not anymore!)

In the Spring of 2020, during a pandemic induced period of reflection, I decided to put-off a decision that had been on my mind for a long time. To return to studying. After years of procrastination, I signed up to take on what would turn out to be one of the hardest academic challenges of my life…to become a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®).

In 2018, I completed the Certificate in Retirement Planning Advice (RPA) through the LIA. This course equipped me to provide advice with a higher level of pensions technical knowledge within the ever changing regulatory landscape of retirement planning.

The CFP® is a global recognition only awarded to individuals who have met “rigorous competency, and ethical and professional practice standards…..and have agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, diligence, professionalism, confidentiality and compliance”.

In Ireland, the process to attaining the certification is by first completing the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. This is a 2 year course run through UCD and The Institute of Bankers. It comprises the following modules:

• Financial & Data Analysis for Financial Planning
• Tax & Estate Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Asset Management
• Risk Management in Financial Planning
• Integrated Personal Financial Planning

So after almost 2 years of remote lectures, assignments, exams and lots of late night studying I’m delighted to add my name to the growing list of CFP®’s in Ireland and around the world.