SMSF Association, FPA team up to launch new pathway

The SMSF Association and the Financial Planning Association (FPA) have teamed up to launch an express pathway for the valued SMSF Specialist Advisor (SSA) designation.

Applicable to FPA members holding the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, the SMSF Association explained that these members will be exempted from completing the nine standards education modules.

Instead, they will receive comprehensive learning materials and have access to optional virtual drop-in sessions after enrolling in the program, as well as being able to sit the online SSA exam at a time that suits their schedule.

Commenting on the partnership, FPA chief executive officer (CEO) Sarah Abood said: “The SSA designation is highly regarded in the SMSF sector, and this express pathway offers our CFP members who work in this area a cheaper and faster way to be recognised as SMSF Specialist Advisers.”

The SMSF Association clarified that FPA members enrolling in the SSA program need to join the association as an associate member.

Their membership status is automatically upgraded to specialist member status on successfully completing the program.

SMSF Association deputy CEO and director of policy and education, Peter Burgess, outlined the importance of the new pathway.

“For those providing SMSF advice, the importance of having the necessary competencies to do so, and maintaining those competencies over time, has been highlighted in ASIC’s updated SMSF advice guidance for licensees and advisers.

“The SSA designation provides independent verification of an adviser’s competencies to provide specialist SMSF advice as well as demonstrating their commitment to ongoing personal development in this advice space,” he concluded.