With only one day left to the end of the current CPD cycle on 31 May, it is now or never if key individuals and representatives want to attain the hours stipulated by the Fit & Proper requirements.
Advisers must perform CPD activities to meet the CPD requirements during the annual CPD cycle, which runs from 1 June to 31 May.
Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MBSE), a recognised CPD provider, offers more than 80 courses starting at R57. These courses provide between 0.5 and 9.5 CPD hours, depending on the specific course.
Monique Brummer, the operations manager at MBSE, says unforeseen circumstances might result in FSPs and their representatives completing their CPD requirements at the last minute.
“MBSE students get immediate access to courses after payment (if they pay by credit card). They can thus start working on their required CPD hours for the end of May deadline at any time,” says Brummer.
She adds that the updated and reviewed courses for the new cycle will be available on MBSE on June 1 for those looking to get a head start and avoid last-minute rushes.
Identified learning objectives
With so many courses on offer on the MBSE platform, it is important that representatives choose the CPD activities relevant to their roles and responsibilities.
To make it easier to find the right one, MBSE’s range of courses is categorised as follows:
- Regulatory environment – changes in the financial services environment, and knowledge and understanding of applicable laws in the financial services sector.
- Ethics – ethical standards required in the financial services sector.
- Technical – professional best practice in terms of provision of financial services, and generic knowledge and understanding of the environment and financial products for which you are authorised.
- Business skills and abilities – best practice in terms of soft skills and managing your practice.
Here are some of MBSE’s popular course:
Effective Writing Skills for Financial Advisors
CPD: 5; cost: R565
Recommended for all advisors, this course serves as both a refresher and an introduction to basic writing concepts like spelling and grammar. It also offers guidance on crafting common business documents, including emails, proposals, agendas, and meeting minutes.
Student feedback: “Very good, meaty, and precise. I would advise anyone who does a lot of emails, letter, minutes, reports, and business proposals to do this course.”
Ethics – How to impress your clients
CPD: 2; cost: R226
This course aims to enhance your understanding of the importance of ethical conduct and a strong ethical business culture. It equips you with the tools and skills needed to promote ethics and integrity within your organisation. You’ll learn about implementing codes of ethics, standards of conduct, training, awareness, and the importance of leading by example.
Student feedback: “This is a difficult concept and is well explained.”
A guide to effective time management
CPD: 1.5; R170
Effective time management is crucial for a successful advisory business and personal well-being. While it seems simple, mastering it can take years. This course offers key tools, strategies, and practices to enhance time management and productivity. It aims to help consultants manage their time better and boost their productivity.
Student feedback: “Very interesting topic.”
Time Management and Personal Productivity Skills
CPD: 4.5; R452
Managing today’s busy work environment is challenging, especially with multiple tasks. Excellent time management and productivity skills are essential for timely, professional delivery. This course teaches principles to prioritise tasks correctly and use time efficiently to meet required standards. It is suitable for anyone looking to improve their time and productivity management.
Student feedback: “Interesting and helpful. Will revise them again in the next weeks. Thank you!”
Flexible e-learning options
MBSE’s CPD courses stand out for their accessibility, offering flexible e-learning options that can be completed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, anytime and anywhere.
Other features are:
- access to user-friendly, printable training material that is broken up into smaller units, supplemented with relevant multimedia content;
- access to MBSE’s helpdesk – queries are answered within three business days; and
- regular self-assessment to monitor progress.
Students can access and print their certificate once they have completed all the course activities and passed (at least 60%) the assessments.
Click here to sign up for an MBSE CPD course before time runs out.
