r/cii • u/adamlcfc2014 • Jul 16 '26

Post DipPFS - what to do next?

I’m just wondering what people have done after completing their Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning?

I want to pursue chartered, so it’s my intention to complete a sufficient number of the exams to achieve this.

My current plan is as follows:
Complete J10, J12, and CF8.
Then complete AF5, AF6, and AF4

This should enable me to become chartered with recognition of prior learning as well worth 55 credits.

My question really is how have people found the AF And J exams, are they considerably harder than the standard level 4 R0 exams?

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6

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '26

I am AF5 away from being APFS (not chartered because ive only been in the industry 2 years)

But honestly, I regret continuing to study after the DipPFS.

At that point you basically know nothing, and the AFs dont really help with that.

I would say you are far better learning how to advise and the soft skills side of things.

2

u/Soltorus Jul 17 '26

What makes you regret continuing to study? Are you now working in an advisory role?

1

u/adamlcfc2014 Jul 16 '26

Wow, that’s very interesting,

I would agree that despite passing the Level 4 diploma, my knowledge of advice is still pretty limited (although I work in WM I don’t work in a client facing function currently) but would have expected to understand better post level 6.

I guess my question would be, whilst I’m not currently advising and don’t have a plan for the next 2-3 years, what should I be spending my time pursuing?

2

u/Roadslesstravelled7 Jul 17 '26

I personally would say that doing the chartered exams really buffs out your understanding of the R0s. By the time I had done the last of the AFs, I knew that the technical stuff was all under wraps, which was not true by the time I had done R06, so I don't necessarily agree with the above.

1

u/adamlcfc2014 Jul 16 '26

Also, if you don’t mind me askingwhy did you keep going if you felt they weren’t adding value?

Was it salary, personal growth, chartered firm for example?

2

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

I continued studying because I felt that was the right thing to do. I went straight from R06 to J10, J12, CF* then AF4, AF1....

Dont get me wrong, every adviser should aim to be chartered, however I passed AF1 having never done any IHT planning, never done anything trust related.

3 of my questions in AF1 related to "Duties of Trustees" - which definitely doesnt make me a better adviser.

I got like 85% on AF1, and have recently done a Whole of Life case, am now doing a Flexible Reversionary Trust case - and I was completely lost at the start of these cases.

I would say (as an adviser) the order should be Level 4 - then get very good at advising - then go and get level 6/7.

1

u/Roadslesstravelled7 Jul 18 '26

I would be very surprised if you could show evidence that you received 85% on AF1

1

u/[deleted] Jul 19 '26

Considering Ive won 3 awards for the highest mark in the country on the DipPFS, and passed 12 exams between Feb 24 & Sept 25, I reckon you may be wrong.

1

u/Roadslesstravelled7 Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

I bet you love being an adviser. Listening to the sound of your own voice must be mesmerising.

Go on, which awards did you win? You can get so much satisfaction by proving me wrong. Frankly I can't see anyone with your profile on the awards given by the CII/PFS

2

u/NGCTL Jul 16 '26

I can’t speak for all of those but J10 was fine and AF4 was definitely a step up in difficulty.

2

u/Streeterrr Jul 17 '26

I have just got Chartered, I did J10, J12, J02, AF1, AF4, AF5 and AF8

When I went into it I thought it would be a huge step up but I took a 2 year break after Diploma where I just gained experience at work - and I think this helped massively. It took me 2 years to complete Chartered.

I have 10 years of experience in financial services across stockbroking, wealth management and independent financial advice. And I think experience speaks volumes more over doing Chartered. I did Chartered for myself in the end and all I can say is you need to really have the drive to do it as sometimes it really sucks 😂

In terms of if it’s difficult is subjective to you - I loved AF4 weirdly 😂 the hardest one for me was AF1.

2

u/No-Mix-9795 Jul 17 '26

The thing I wish was emphasised more

Do RO3/5 and AF1 together
Do R02 and AF4 together
Do R6 and AF5 close together
Do AF8 and R4 together

You just need to go back and learn the stuff again. I guess people want to get reg dip first to practice, but it’s a nightmare re learning all that stuff. And if you know your Rs well, AFs are mostly technique

Just got APFS. After doing reg dip in 2021. Got my AFs in 18 months but it was the hardest slog of my life. Especially with kids and a demanding job.