The SMSF Association has announced two new educational pathways to access its SMSF Specialist Adviser (SSA) program, which is offered to financial advisers.
The new partnership with Kaplan Professional and Deakin University will provide students with the opportunity to complete the SSA educational requirements as an elective in the Master of Financial Planning degree.
SMSF Association chief executive John Maroney said the partnership has expanded professional pathways for students in the rapidly changing SMSF environment.
“We have always maintained SMSF advice should be underpinned by specialist education and these new partnerships offer a professional pathway for financial planning students wanting to obtain both a Master of Financial Planning degree and the SMSF Association’s SMSF Specialist Adviser designation,” Maroney said.
“Students who successfully complete this elective may be eligible to have their SMSF Association membership upgraded to specialist member status and be able to use the SMSF Specialist Adviser designation – the symbol of excellence in a dynamic and rapidly growing SMSF sector.”
Kaplan Professional chief executive Brian Knight added: “Now being able to choose the new elective unit, which not only counts towards our Master of Financial Planning but provides access to the coveted SSA designation, is another incentive for advisers who are seeking to further specialise in their career.
“We are delighted to be able to offer more choice and depth in specialist expertise to advisers, providing the opportunity to achieve our highly regarded Master of Financial Planning together with this industry-leading SMSF advice designation.”
Deakin University financial planning program director Marc Olynyk said that upon completion, the additional academic qualifications will be a great attribute for advisers to have.
“The SMSF sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the superannuation industry and having a recognised designation to provide professional and competent SMSF advice is becoming increasingly important for advisers,” Olynyk said.
The SSA program is open to financial advisers with a minimum two years’ experience and upon graduation they will be accredited with an AQF level 8 qualification.
