SA’s financial planning industry hits 5 000 certified professionals

South Africa’s financial planning industry now boasts 5 001 Certified Financial Planning (CFP®) professionals, the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) announced in a statement on Thursday.

This milestone was reached on 31 December last year.

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“This achievement reflects the growing recognition of the CFP® certification as the benchmark for professional financial planning and advice in South Africa,” the FPI notes.

The FPI is the only SAQA-recognised professional body for financial planners and advisors in Southern Africa. To become a CFP® professional through the FPI, individuals must:

• Hold a postgraduate in financial planning or a B. Com (Honours) in Financial Planning plus three years of financial planning-related experience or
• Hold an FPI-approved NQF Level 8 advanced degree (equal to an honours degree or a post-graduate professional qualification) or designation in finance, economics, law, or taxation plus more than five years of financial planning-related experience and
• Write and pass the FPI Professional Competency Examination (PCE).

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Lelané Bezuidenhout, CFP®  and CEO of the FPI, says the over 5 000-milestone is a testament to the increasing demand for qualified financial planners who uphold the highest standards of ethics, competence, and professionalism in the industry.

“Reaching this milestone is not just about numbers; it underscores the trust that South Africans and employers in the financial services industry place in CFP® professionals to help them navigate their financial futures with confidence,” Bezuidenhout adds.

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