Wealth protection is an essential part of every financial plan and with a significant underinsurance problem for most Australians, it is a growing demand and an important opportunity for your business.

Trimester 1, 2010 enrolments have been extended until 5 March - Click here to receive an application form and program brochure.

Completing the FPA’s Life Risk Specialist Accreditation Program will not only advance your knowledge in this essential discipline, it will identify you as a specialist professional to your clients, peers and licensee, and will give you a professional edge in a competitive marketplace. As part of the FPA’s professional education suite it can also act as a stepping stone towards CFP^® Certification.

The FPA’s LRS^® Life Risk Specialist designation (LRS) will set you apart. With an ageing population, the global economic downturn, increased conservatism, and investors needing to closely manage their risks, there has never been a better time to consolidate your skills and gain a professional designation from your association.

The FPA Specialist Accreditation Programs are designed for FPA practitioner members, both Associate Financial Planners (AFP) and CFP^® professionals, who have demonstrated, through experience, education, examination and ethics, their eligibility to use an FPA granted, post nominal designation - LRS^® Life Risk Specialist

• Advance your qualifications
• Give yourself a professional edge in a competitive marketplace
• Promote your designation on business cards and letterheads
• Demonstrate that you can meet the full range of your client’s risk needs
• Increase your ability to generate higher and more diversified advice income
• Deepen the pool of specialist practitioners and recognised professionals in your business

Eligibility

If you’re currently an AFP member or CFP^® practitioner and have enrolled* in, or completed, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (ADFS) or equivalent, then you already meet the entry requirements.

The Program

In order to gain the LRS designation you must complete two units of study. The first unit is made up of 4 topics incorporating ethics and professional practice. The second unit has 7 topics, covering the full depth of specialist life risk advice.

Additionally, 2 years full time or equivalent part time client facing advice experience in the area of specialty must be proven to be awarded the designation.

Unit 1 – Ethics, professionalism and professional practice (CFP1)**

This unit forms the foundation of the CFP Certification Program and its completion will allow you to continue studying towards becoming a CFP practitioner.

Course content includes:

• Topic 1: Ethics and ethical decision making
• Topic 2: Professional practice
• Topic 3: Professional responsibility
• Topic 4: Professional accountability

Unit 2 – Life Risk Principles for Professional Planners

This unit will reward you with the knowledge, confidence and skills to call yourself a Life Risk Specialist.

Course content includes:

• Topic 1: Overview of Life Insurance in Australia
• Topic 2: The Architecture of Life Insurance Products
• Topic 3: Analysing and Comparing Products
• Topic 4: Underwriting and Claims Handling
• Topic 5: External Influences on Risk Management Planning
• Topic 6: Understanding Clients and Their Needs
• Topic 7: Critical Thinking for Better Solutions

Completing this course will earn you CPD points. Course fees (inclusive of GST) are
For Unit 1 - $1,100
For Unit 2 - $935

Become an LRS and you’re on your way to becoming a CFP^® practitioner

The first unit of the Life Risk Accreditation program is also the first CFP Certification unit so, if you hold an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), you will be eligible to continue the CFP Program throughout subsequent trimesters.

Not currently an FPA member but want to earn the LRS designation?

Simply submit a membership application form at the time of enrolment and you’ve taken the first step towards gaining your specialist designation and proudly demonstrating your commitment to becoming a specialist professional.

* LRS designation can only be obtained upon completion of an ADFS or equivalent. If you have not yet completed an ADFS qualification then we can work with you via our professional partnership with ANZIIF to combine those studies with the LRS program.

** Only required for those practitioner members who have not previously completed CFP1 or an FPA approved equivalent program on ethics.

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CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and are certification marks owned outside the U.S. by the Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. Financial Planning Association of Australia Limited is the marks licensing authority for the CFP Marks in Australia, through agreement with FPSB.

The LRS^® mark and Life Risk Specialist designation is owned by the Financial Planning Association of Australia Ltd.