Graduate Certificate
You'll learn from expert academics who are current practicing financial advisers themselves - including an award-winning academic who was named Financial Standard's Power50 most influential financial advisers in Australia.* Your studies are enriched in so many ways as you'll gain unique insights from professionals who know the ins and outs of the industry and understand the unique challenges and opportunities that financial advisers face today.
As one of the leading providers of accounting and finance education in Australia, your course content has been developed in conjunction with leading industry experts to ensure that what you learn is practical and relevant. Throughout your studies, you'll have access to cutting-edge research associated with meeting client specific needs in light of complex regulatory requirements.
Our Centre for Applied Finance and Economics provides multi-disciplinary research on the dynamics of domestic and global economies and financial systems, bringing together economists, accountants and finance specialists from a range of backgrounds.
Extend your network and career by connecting with a senior business professional as part of our Executive Partners Program. This is a unique opportunity for you to engage with a highly successful industry executive to enhance your studies and career. Our Executive Partners are active, semi-retired or recently retired professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you achieve your career goals.
UniSA Business is the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) - the world's leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.
*UniSA Online Financial Planning academic, Geoff Pacecca was awarded the Financial Standard's Power50 most Influential Financial Advisers in Australia, 2018.
Our Graduate Certificate consists of four advanced financial planning courses which can be completed in six months full-time, or part-time equivalent. The courses you're required to complete will depend on the level of education you currently have.
Depending on your individual requirements, you'll study either one FASEA-approved bridging course (ethics and professionalism), or all three of bridging courses outlined below, plus an additional elective (if this is required). Electives include topics such as investment management, regulatory and legal obligations, estate planning, risk management and insurance, superannuation, and tax.
Please refer to FASEA's education requirements for further info.
Our ethics and professionalism course develops your understanding of the complexities and importance of ethical principles and corporate governance in a demanding global business environment. You'll cover topics such as ethical factors influencing the performance of financial services, ethical decision-making models, as well as FASEA and the professional code of ethics.
Financial advice regulatory and legal obligations
The financial advice regulatory and legal obligations course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills required to comply with Australia's financial services legal and regulatory regimes. You'll analyse the law governing financial products and advice, financial licensing and the professional standards that apply to financial intermediaries.
Behavioural finance: client and consumer behaviour*
Understanding client behaviours and communication styles is critical for future financial advisers to build and maintain long-term relationships. You'll learn to apply behavioural and psychological insights to better understand client needs and provide tailored advice for people with all levels of financial literacy.
*Students who intend to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning should not choose behavioural finance: client and consumer behaviour as an elective in this program.
Under new national regulations, all financial planners currently working in the industry will need to complete a FASEA-approved program by 2026 in order to continue practising. People looking to start their career as a financial planner will need to study a FASEA-approved program from January 2019.
In addition to new education standards, FASEA have also outlined new professional requirements. This includes completing a professional year (for new advisers only), passing a national exam, undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and completing a code of ethics course.
If you're an existing financial adviser, your qualification opens up many more opportunities in your business and career.
If you're looking to make a career change, there are a range of roles you could pursue in diverse businesses. There are opportunities in financial institutions, investment banks, superannuation and insurance funds, financial advisory firms - or you choose to be self-employed and set up your own practice. Financial planners can also specialise in a number of areas, such as tax planning, risk management or retirement planning.
Careers to consider:
Qualified financial planner or financial adviser: help clients to meet short-term and long-term financial goals; assist with legal and financial documents, financial laws and regulatory requirements; provide advice on personal investments and security planning, estate planning, tax planning, employee benefits planning and insurance planning; and deliver a high-quality customer experience.
Investment adviser or manager: develop financial plans and investment strategies for individuals and organisations; monitor investment performance and review investment plans based on needs and changes in the market; buy and sell stocks and bonds for clients; and provide advice on tax implications, securities, insurance cover, pension plans and real estate.
Insurance broker: research and review available finance and insurance products to meet client requirements; arrange insurance, home loan mortgages and other types of finance for clients through banks, lenders, financiers and insurance companies; help clients understand insurance policy conditions, risks, premium rates and benefits; prepare reports for underwriters and liaise with other insurance professionals.
Estate planner: provide clients with legal, financial and accounting advice to ensure long term financial protection of their estate during life and post-mortem; help ensure any assets are dispersed according to the wishes of the deceased in an effective way; and develop estate plans which may include preparing wills, life insurance, family trusts and manage tax implications for beneficiaries.
Superannuation consultant: provide compliant financial advice in areas such as personal and business superannuation, retirement income stream products, pensions rollovers and annuities; interpret new legislation changes and consider the impact of those changes on the portfolio of funds, help clients understand merits of Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF), and develop retirement plan strategies.
Wealth manager: deliver holistic wealth management strategies and plans to help clients grow and sustain long-term financial goals; provide services across a range of areas including financial planning, investment management, and financial advice on pensions, trusts, inheritances, estate planning, retirement planning, and tax bands; and possess knowledge of software solutions and key platforms in the industry.
Client relationship manager: proactively engage clients by providing high value, holistic and strategic financial advice; identify opportunities to build new client relationships and strengthen existing ones; research the latest products and regulations; and focus on delivering a high-quality customer experience.