We focus on continuing professional development and maintaining the highest of professional standards. Below is a short overview of independent status, SIFA professional membership and Chartered Financial Planner status.
Independent Financial Adviser
Our Financial Planners are independent and fully qualified. This means you can take comfort in knowing that our recommendations are based on an expert assessment of your needs, without commission bias.
In order to be classified as “independent” under the UK regulatory regime, Fortitude must offer products and investments from the ‘whole of the market’. This means we do not have ties to any specific product providers, insurance companies or fund managers. You can rest assured that our advice will be based on a fair assessment of available solutions within the market appropriate to meet your needs.
Accredited Financial Planning Firm
Accredited Financial Planning Firms™ represent excellence in Financial Planning service as identified by The Institute of Financial Planning (IFP). These Firms must meet the IFP’s strict criteria, abide by the code of ethics and practice standards of their professional body, as well as demonstrate the highest standards of Financial Planning practice.
As one of only 25 Accredited Financial Planning Firms™ nationwide, we have been assessed by the IFP and have demonstrated professionalism through the calibre of our staff and the service we provide our clients. The IFP recognises Fortitude as a leader in our profession, in addition to recognising individual excellence in Financial Planning via qualifications such as Certified Financial Planner™ certification, the globally recognised standard of excellence in Financial Planning.
We are proud to be members of SIFA Professional and listed in the SIFA Directory of Professional IFAs (endorsed by the Law Society).
SIFA was established in 1992 to encourage and support involvement by Solicitors in financial services work. SIFA was a founder member of the Law Society’s Financial and Investment Business Working Party and is recognised by the FSA as the trade body for Solicitor Financial Advisers. However, since 2001 SIFA has also accepted Accountancy IFAs as members.
The Legal Services Act of 2007 has prompted a further extension of SIFA membership and eligibility is now based on professional status, which in the case of Independent Financial Advisers means qualifying to be classified as truly independent in the terms of the FSA’s Retail Distribution Review. The Act ushers in a new era of professional advice in which the dividing lines between the Legal, Accounting and Financial Planning disciplines will be broken down and reconfigured business entities will emerge, focused on delivering against identified client needs. SIFA’s revised objective, therefore, is to support and assist interaction between Solicitors, Accountants and Financial Advisers in whatever form this may take.
More information is available on the SIFA website.
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) introduced the ‘Chartered Financial Planner’ qualification in 2006. The institute recognised that seeking financial advice can be a daunting process – especially when it comes to finding a Financial Planner you trust to act in your best interests and provide unbiased advice. Where you see their symbol, you know the financial advice you receive will be independent, professional, and regulated by the Financial Services Authority’s strict guidelines.
Only very few firms within the UK qualify for Chartered Financial Planner status, considered the pinnacle for the Financial Planning professionals. Maintaining this designation is incredibly important to Fortitude. Our Financial Planners are committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and adhering to the Chartered Insurance Institute’s (CII’s) Code of Ethics and Conduct.
To learn more about our professional memberships and designations, please contact a member of our Financial Planning team.