Financial planning in South Africa sits at the intersection of statutory regulation and professional self‑regulation. My licence to practise and my professional designation are regulated by:
| Area | Regulator / Body | Source |
| Rendering financial advice & planning | FSCA | FAIS Act and, when replaced, by the Conduct of Financial Institutions Act |
| Market conduct & licensing | FSCA | Conduct Standards |
| Professional financial planning designation | FPi | SAQA‑registered designation |
| CFP® trademark & certification | FPi (FPSB licensee) | FPi/FPSB trademark regulations |
| Professional Ethics | FPi | FPi Code of Ethics and Practise Standards incorporating the FPi Rules of Professional Conduct https://fpi.co.za/membership/member-policies-and-guidelines |
Internationally, Financial Planning is defined as a collaborative process that helps maximize a client’s potential for meeting life goals through financial advice that integrates relevant elements of the client’s personal and financial circumstances.
The title “financial planner” is not expressly protected in statute and the FSCA, in any event, regulates the activity, not the job title. Since using such a title creates an expectation of authorisation, I give financial advice and do financial planning, I am FSCA licensed. Using that title when not licenced may be misleading and unlawful.
I am, furthermore, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® / CFP® Professional which represents the professional benchmark for financial planning. I am professionally certified by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPi), the professional body to which I belong.
My professional designation references are protected trademarks owned internationally by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) and licensed in South Africa to FPi.
To lawfully call myself a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® or CFP® Professional, I currently meet all of the following requirements:
- Attained an NQF 8 qualification in financial planning (or FPI‑approved equivalent).
- Passed a professional competency examination / capstone assessment.
- Have attained requisite practical experience in financial planning.
- Am up to date with continuing professional development requirements.
- Am in good standing from both an FPi compliance and FPi Code of Ethics perspective.
View my professional designation confirmation by Accredible on my LinkedIn page.