AMP SMSF last week started its latest initiative to provide AMP-aligned advisers and their support staff with SMSF education and accreditation through a new program.
The program, which runs in partnership with the SMSF Association, will allow AMP’s 3800 aligned advisers to increase their knowledge and skills in specialist SMSF advice.
The upskilling will be independently certified by the SMSF Association.
AMP SMSF managing director Natasha Fenech said the group was committed to raising competency standards in the SMSF sector and helping advisers build their capabilities.
“This initiative builds on our existing face-to-face SMSF specialist course, with the program now extended to include the SMSF Association accreditation exam that awards advisers with the SMSF Association SMSF specialist advisor accreditation designation,” Fenech said.
“The accreditation complements a series of new initiatives announced by AMP last year to increase adviser professionalism and expertise.”
Last August, AMP announced all existing and new advisers must hold a certified financial planner, fellow chartered financial practitioner or master’s degree in financial planning qualification by 31 December 2019 for existing advisers, or within five years of joining an AMP practice for new advisers.
Advisers undertaking the new program will be required to join the SMSF Association.
“This AMP initiative is further evidence of the emergence of SMSF specialists and the critical role they play in leading the professionalism, integrity and sustainability of the SMSF sector that now represents nearly one-third of the $2 trillion in super assets under management,” SMSF Association chief executive Andrea Slattery said.
“Every Australian has the right to quality of life in retirement and the emergence of the SMSF specialist is integral to achieving this goal in our sector of the superannuation market.
“This education option being offered to AMP advisers and their support staff demonstrates AMP’s acknowledgement of the importance of the SMSF specialist and its ongoing commitment to raising competency standards.
“This partnership also recognises the commitment of both parties to support AMP financial advisers as well as providing a focus on training and education to attain higher professional standards in the SMSF sector.”
Enrolment for the course is now open.
