Each year, the IFP conducts an online survey to gauge members’ views and opinions. Rachel Weihs, membership co-ordinator at the IFP, said: “This feedback is so useful to us. We use it when reviewing all our activities and also when planning future strategies. The membership committee use it as a base for their activities too. In total this year, 285 members took time to respond and our thanks go to them.”

This year’s survey introduced new questions around key aspects for Financial Planning firms. 66 per cent reported that the use of Paraplanners was important, with 65 per cent similarly rating use of cashflow modelling. A massive 74 per cent saw the use of wraps or platforms as important to their businesses.

Also for the first time, the IFP obtained feedback on whether members favoured an active or passive approach to investment. Interestingly, there was little to choose with a very slight preference for passive strategies.

When it comes to why people become IFP members, over 97 per cent indicated it was to improve their knowledge and skills in Financial Planning with 85 per cent also saying it was to gain appropriate qualifications. Interestingly, over 75 per cent agreed that business development was also a key reason behind their membership and 91 per cent reported that they had developed their Financial Planning skills as a result of their IFP membership. Some 87 per cent said it has helped them increase professionalism and 88 per cent had benefitted from feeling a part of the professional community.

With CPD set to become even more important as RDR takes hold, 37 per cent of respondents say they are using the IFP’s CPD online platform. Also, with 61 per cent of respondents reporting that the choice of how they record CPD is made by them alone, there is clearly scope for this usage to increase. There was strong support for using the IFP as an Accredited Body with 76 per cent stating they will probably or definitely use the IFP.

As usual, IFP events received positive feedback, including branch meetings. 64 per cent indicate that they attend meetings. They also indicated strong support for the branch chairmen who do such great work. Some 53 per cent rated their branch chairman as “excellent”.

More use is being made of networking online with 33 per cent now using networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to share ideas. Perhaps disappointingly, just 48 per cent showed interest in getting involved with Financial Planning Week. Finally, if you’ve got this far then you must be one of the 92 per cent who report reading Financial Planner magazine. We’re glad you like it and, as always, welcome ideas and suggestions for improvement.