The Gold Standard: James achieves Chartered Financial Planner status
We recently announced in our November team news blog that having successfully passed his ER1: Equity Release exam, our very own Financial Planner James Blackham has now obtained the final credits required to achieve the coveted Chartered Financial Planner status. So, it is with great pride, we congratulate James as he becomes one of the new breed of young Chartered Financial Planners in the UK.
This achievement has taken years of dedicated study, ongoing hard work with clients and also a continued willingness to learn, develop and hone numerous financial planning skills and technical knowledge at the very highest standard. We’re very proud of what James has achieved in such a short space of time since joining us after completing an Economics degree in 2014 and excited to see how this accomplishment carries over into the long term development of Vizion Wealth and of course, the high level of service provided to our clients.
This got us thinking – What is Chartered Status and why is it so important?
When you choose to work with a financial planner, you’ll notice that some firms showcase the fact that they are a ‘Chartered’ firm. You may well have seen the word ‘Chartered’ on our website or spotted the prestigious gold Chartered mark.
Choosing a financial adviser with Chartered status gives you the peace of mind that you’re dealing with a trusted professional, operating to high ethical standards.
Firms that achieve this status:
- Have made a public commitment to high ethical standards and values
- Provide knowledgeable advice backed up by qualifications and continued professional development
- Are committed to achieving good customer outcomes.
Currently, fewer than 900 firms in the UK have high enough requirements to meet this standard.
How a Chartered financial planner adds value:
Choosing a Chartered planner adds value in three main ways.
- A high level of technical expertise
Achieving Chartered status demonstrates to you that your financial planner has achieved a high level of technical competence. This is likely to be through professional qualifications and accreditations, and a commitment to continued professional development.
- High ethical standards
Chartered status acts as a mark of trust. You can be sure that, as a Chartered firm, we have in place core values, business practices and a diversity and inclusion policy that aligns with the CII Code of Ethics.
We’re also committed to active corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- A commitment to the financial services profession
Chartered firms are encouraged by the CII to give back to society by contributing to the development of the profession. This may include participation in specialist practice groups relevant to the personal finance profession, and participation in forums designed to produce good practice guidance.
Our responsibility is to maintain these standards, and our Chartered mark represents our commitment to doing so, as the CII says: “When you use a Chartered firm you are dealing with proven professionals. The CII is empowered by the Privy Council to award Chartered status, and the award is only made in deserving cases. And while Chartered titles are steeped in history, they remain the benchmark of professional excellence and integrity.”
You can learn more about why you should choose a Chartered Financial Planner by watching this video, produced by the CII.
Who are Vizion Wealth?
Our approach to financial planning is simple, our clients are our number one priority and we ensure all our advice, strategies and services are tailored to the specific individual to best meet their longer term financial goals and aspirations. We understand that everyone is unique. We understand that wealth means different things to different people and each client will require a different strategy to build wealth, use and enjoy it during their lifetimes and to protect it for family and loved ones in the future.
All of us at Vizion Wealth are committed to our client’s financial success and would like to have an opportunity to review your individual wealth goals. To find out more, get in touch with us – we very much look forward to hearing from you.
The information contained in this article is intended solely for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained on this article has been obtained from reliable sources, Vizion Wealth is not responsible for any errors or omissions. In no event will Vizion Wealth be liable to the reader or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information provided in this article.
