AF1 (Personal Tax and Trust Planning)
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.
AF3 (Pension Planning)
This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal and corporate pensions.
AF5 (Financial Planning Process)
This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.
G10 (Taxation and Trusts)
This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK tax system, the law and practice of trusts, but also an ability to advise individual clients on the tax treatment of their investments and the use of trusts to meet their current and foreseeable future needs.
J01 (Personal Tax)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: the basic structure of the tax system and self-assessment; the main taxes on income and capital that may be charged on individuals, the self-assessment system and how tax liabilities are computed; impact of residence and domicile on an individual’s liability to UK tax.
J02 (Trusts)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: legal principles associated with the creation and management of a trust; main types of trusts that are common in the UK; taxation considerations relevant to trusts.
J04 (Pension Funding Options)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: main tax and legal frameworks that govern the accumulation phase of building up retirement benefits under registered pension schemes; features of defined contribution and defined benefit pensions; choices faced by early leavers and use of transfer value analysis; State retirement benefits available, including the risks and suitability of contracting out of the State Second Pension.
J05 (Pension Income Options)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the: process of decumulating pension funds and the main issues for clients and advisers; main choices facing members of pensions schemes during decumulation; features, risks and tax treatment of the secured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of the unsecured pension option; features, risks and tax treatment of phased retirement; features, risks and tax treatment of the alternatively secured pension option.
J06 (Investment Principles, Markets and Environment)
At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: how the economic environment and individual company performance affects investment performance and investment decision-making; how risk is measured and managed; the main principles governing how to construct an investment portfolio; the range of investment management services, how their performance is evaluated and their regulatory environment.
R08 (Pension Update)
This qualification focuses on pension reforms and how they affect advice, including the new legislative, compliance and reporting requirements.
FP1 (Financial Services and their Regulation)
Assesses an understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation and legislation.
FP2 (Protection, Savings and Investment)
Assesses an understanding of protection, savings and investment products.
FP3 (Identifying and Satisfying Client Needs)
Assesses an understanding of conducting a fact-find, assessing the client’s needs, and recommending specific (appropriate) financial products to meet those needs.
Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
This qualification enables professional advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities, covers topics such as: personal tax and trust, business financial, pension and investment planning.
Diploma in Financial Planning
This level 4 diploma meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for retail investment advisers, demonstrating core technical knowledge and financial planning capabilities across six core areas.
Financial Planning Certificate
A recognition offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute in the United Kingdom. Individuals who hold this qualification have satisfied coursework and testing requirements set by the organisation.
Award in Pensions Update
This single unit qualification develops and tests knowledge of pension reforms and how they impact at-retirement advice.
STEP Certificate for Financial Services – Trusts and Estate Planning
This qualification is a collaboration between STEP and CLT International (CLTI). This Certificate bridges the divide between solicitors and financial advisers, enabling those in financial services to work more effectively with other professionals
STEP Affiliate Member
STEP Affiliates are practitioners who: are working towards gaining the requisite qualifications and/or experience required to gain Associate or TEP status; or have elected to remain at the Affiliate level following completion of a relevant STEP diploma or advanced certificate; or have joined at the Affiliate level based on Approved Prior Learning and shall remain at this level unless they complete additional qualifications.
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