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Advisers' professional credentials

Qualifications demonstrate knowledge and capability and are an important indicator of professional standing.

The Personal Finance Society (PFS) requires all its members to be qualified at the level appropriate for the advice that they give. Beyond this it actively encourages members to continue their professional development by completing higher qualifications.

PFS members who achieve qualifications are awarded titles and designations. The title and designations granted to members of the PFS are shown opposite in order of seniority and merit. Further details on what each title/designation represents can be found below.

A simple guide to titles and designations

An adviserís given designation indicates the level to which he or she is qualified. To help you understand what this means, we have produced the following simple guide.

Please note that all PFS members are required to comply with a Code of Ethics and Conduct. They must also satisfy continuing professional development requirements, which involves undertaking specified types of activity to ensure their knowledge is kept up to date and, in turn, that the advice they give is relevant and appropriate.

Designation / Title	Qualification
Chartered Financial Planner	Holds the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning or equivalent and has a minimum of five years' industry experience. The 'Chartered' title can only be conferred under the auspices of the Privy Council and is designed to indicate professional attainment and commitment.
FPFS	Holds the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning or equivalent together with further self-selected exams, thereby, meeting the requirement to become a Fellow of the PFS.
APFS	Holds the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning or equivalent. This develops specialist planning capabilities supporting the provision of a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to financial management.
DipPFS	Holds the Diploma in Financial Planning or equivalent. This develops advanced technical knowledge and understanding across a broad range of key advisory areas as selected by the adviser.
CertPFS	Holds of the Certificate in Financial Planning or equivalent, the minimum level of qualification required [the regulatory requirement] to work as a financial adviser. †This develops a broad-based understanding of the financial services industry and enables holders to advise on a range of products, including investments, pensions and protection policies (life and health insurance).