Why become Chartered?

 

Appropriate financial planning and insurance solutions are vital for the long-term well-being of individuals, families and businesses – and are a key driver of financial security and resilience.

The Chartered Ethos

Whilst there are many excellent insurers, brokers and financial planners that are not Chartered, corporate Chartered status involves a public declaration to professional standards. The declaration contains a series of commitments – made openly, transparently, and in full view of customers and clients.

The Chartered Ethos details our commitment as the professional body, to you the Chartered firm, and the commitments you make as a Chartered firm, to the public. The result of the Chartered Insurance Institute and Chartered firms both fulfilling their commitments is the reinforcement of public trust in the concept of Chartered firms.

Our commitment to you

• Provide relevant learning to keep you at the forefront of the profession
• Develop thought leadership to showcase Chartered expertise
• Facilitate communities that support good practice
• Drive collaboration focused on public good
• Grow public awareness of Chartered status

Your commitment to the public

• Ongoing people development
• Align ethics and values
• Customer-centric approach
• Support initiatives that build public trust
• Development of the profession

Public trust in Chartered

Together we drive public awareness that Chartered firms are:

• Are accredited by a professional body
• Display a universal badge of professionalism
• Invest in people with the necessary knowledge for their role
• Have commitment to an ethical code
• Exceed minimum standards
• Commit to best practice and good customer outcomes
• Give back to society

 

The value of corporate Chartered status

Achieving Chartered status delivers benefits to your business, your staff, and your clients. Publicly committing to building consumer trust, putting customers first, and aligning your ethics and values will improve your perception amongst other professionals.

Over the years ahead, we are focusing on five priorities to ensure corporate Chartered status remains relevant and works effectively for all stakeholders.

1. Enhancing value

We recognise the considerable investment that Chartered firms are making in their professionalism and are committed to supporting these efforts with a more active platform of collaboration and promotion. We will actively support your contribution to the development of the profession and the building of public trust.

2. Relevance to changing business models

Amendments will be made to criteria relating to divisions and appropriate management teams, to ensure they better reflect the structures of organisations today.

As of January 2020, 50% of advisers at Chartered Financial Planning firms must hold the Chartered Financial Planner title, an increase from the current 25% requirement.

3. Applications and renewals

Digitising the application and renewal procedure, along with consolidating our 'rules' documents will ensure a simplified process.

4. Effective oversight

Changes to oversight arrangements will reduce unnecessary bureaucracy while maintaining sufficient controls to ensure Chartered firms meet the Chartered requirements. We are also committed to greater sharing of information and tools that promote good practice.

5. Social impact

We have expanded the criteria around 'core values and business practices' to encompass diversity and inclusion. We will introduce an explicit reference to D&I in the criteria