Financial advisers aiming to become experts in holistic financial planning can enhance their careers with the prestigious Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MBSE). Applications are now open for this triple-accredited qualification for the second semester of 2024.
With more than a decade of experience in insurance and financial planning training, MBSE is an accredited private higher-education institution registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training and an accredited skills development provider for the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations.
MBSE’s qualifications are recognised by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and are approved by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) and the Insurance Institute of South Africa. The online education provider offers a range of qualifications, short courses, Class of Business Training, and CPD courses tailored to the financial services sector’s needs. Among these, the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8) takes pride of place.
Top choice for further studies
The Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning qualification is approved by the FSCA as a recognised qualification for FAIS Fit and Proper purposes in all product sub-categories for all categories of FSP. The qualification provides a clear pathway for students who have completed a BCom in Financial Planning or a similar NQF 7 qualification to further their studies in professional financial planning practice.
The top three achievers in last year’s Postgraduate Diploma exams unanimously selected MBSE as their preferred institution for further studies.
Eveshen Naidoo was swayed to choose MBSE because it is recognised by the FPI and is approved to offer the Postgraduate Diploma as part of the educational requirement for the FPI’s Certified Financial Planner© designation.
Daniël van Heerden opted for Moonstone because of its esteemed reputation in the industry, while Suzanne du Toit, having completed her Regulatory Examinations through Moonstone previously, was already familiar with the online learning business school.
Flexible study solution
Students who enrol in MBSE’s courses have the option to complete their studies over one or two years.
Naidoo, who completed the course over a year while balancing work and family responsibilities, found scheduling study time challenging initially.
“My daily schedule involved a 3am start with two hours of studying, followed by an hour of exercise, and then work. Evenings were dedicated to my family. I aimed to maintain consistency throughout the year,” he says.
Van Heerden, who opted to complete her studies over two years, emphasised the need for deliberate time management to balance study, work, and personal life.
“Even then, I still had to schedule my time very deliberately to complete the required tasks and studies. The key is simply to schedule the time and then to get stuck into it.”
Du Toit, also choosing a two-year pace, found the flexibility beneficial for maintaining focus on studies, work, and family.
“I enjoy information, and studying was like that for me, as the material and handbooks kept me interested, and I was motivated from the beginning to finish this course,” she explains.
Quality study material and support
The Postgraduate Diploma consists of four compulsory modules: financial planning environment, personal financial planning, corporate financial planning, and a case study.
All three top achievers lauded the quality of the study material and the support provided by the MBSE team during their studies.
Naidoo praised the study material as highly user-friendly, accessible, and easy to comprehend.
Van Heerden emphasised the significance of the South African Financial Planning Handbook.
“It is such a valuable learning tool, and one that you will keep using well after you are done with your exams,” he says.
Du Toit used the provided study guides as references but primarily relied on the prescribed textbooks.
“The prescribed textbooks are well written, and the new Case Study Handbook is a great addition. The videos, papers, and examples that were shared were very helpful,” she adds.
Qualification outcomes
Students who complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning will be able to:
- Apply the six-step financial planning process in accordance with industry standards and accepted ethical practice to meet the financial planning needs of a variety of individual and corporate clients.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the legal/regulatory framework that applies to performing the functions associated with providing financial planning services to clients.
- Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain professional client relationships by providing clients with appropriate communication, explanation of concepts and financial education to enable them to make informed choices.
- Demonstrate integrated knowledge, values, skills, and attitudes in terms of the FPI’s Financial Planning Body of Knowledge in the areas of financial management, asset management, investment planning, risk management, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning and ethics to identify and assess client needs, determine client financial goals, and develop suitable financial planning strategies to meet the needs and goals.
- Produce and present an appropriate financial report based on the developed client financial planning strategies.
- Demonstrate understanding of the value and importance of regular reviews of clients’ financial needs, goals, and strategies.
Students who do not have a relevant formal qualification at the NQF 7 level but who have completed an Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning at NQF 6 level, and who have at least five years relevant experience in providing financial services may also apply to complete MBSE’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) bridging course for access to the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Please note that there are limits on the numbers of students that can be accommodated on the basis of RPL.
MBSE offers the following accredited qualifications:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8)
- Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6)
- Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer (NQF 6)
- Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5)
- Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance (NQF 5)
Apply today at www.mbse.ac.za.
For more information, contact us at help@mbse.ac.za.
