The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) has added the Practical Investment Planning (PIP) module from Practical Financial Exams as an eligible Specialist Unit for its Advanced Diploma in Financial Advice (Adv DipFA).

The Adv DipFA is an RQF Level 6 UK Financial Planning qualification and leads to eligibility for Chartered status.

To complete the Adv DipFA, candidates need to successfully pass four units: 

• Taxation, Trusts and Tax Compliance (TTTC)
• Managing Investments (MANI)
• Either Pension Transfers (PETR) OR Financial Planning in Retirement (FPIR)
• Specialist Unit

The Specialist Unit can be the Practical Investment Planning (PIP) qualification.

John Somerville, head of Financial Services at LIBF, said: “Investment planning is an important skill for any adviser, but particularly for those with clients who have more complex needs. 

“As a qualification, Practical Investment Planning fits in well with our ethos of providing qualifications that take a practical approach and really bring learning to life. It also mirrors some of the innovative approaches we take in the assessment of individuals’ skills and knowledge. Practical Financial Exams Limited’s accreditation process is very robust and to a very high standard, so it’s an organisation that we are happy to endorse.”

Michael Pashley, managing director at Practical Financial Exams, said: “As PIP is coursework-based, we believe it can be comfortably sat alongside the three compulsory Adv DipFA units, providing a practical context for many of the technical concepts. Alternatively, it can be tackled on its own outside the pressure of the other units. We’d recommend that anyone planning to, or already undergoing, their Chartered journey with the LIBF consider PIP as their chosen specialist unit.

“My team and I are absolutely delighted with this recognition, and we look forward to working with the LIBF going forward. It enables us to provide our PIP candidates with not only a brilliant qualification, but to help with their LIBF Advanced Diploma and Chartered status as well.”