Certificate of Mortgage Advice: A Guide to CF1
What is the Certificate of Mortgage Advice?
The Certificate of Mortgage Advice is a Level 3 qualification offered by the CII that meets the FCA’s requirements for Mortgage Advisors to offer professional advice. It is an alternative to the CeMAP qualification offered by the LIBF and upon completion, learners will be able to provide professional Mortgage Advice in the UK and use the Cert CII (MP) designation in their name.
The Certificate of Mortgage Advice qualification has one compulsory unit that learners must complete, CF6 worth 20 credits. Candidates then have the option to complete either unit R01, worth 20 credits, or CF1, worth 15 credits.
What is CF1?
UK Financial Services, Regulations and Ethics or CF1 unit is focused on three interlinked topics of regulation, financial products and services, and ethics within financial services in the UK.
Learners will explore the main asset classes of cash, fixed interest investment, equities and property. They will also be identifying how customers’ financial needs might vary throughout different stages in their life and how these needs might be satisfied by the profession.
They will consider the obligations financial advisors have to consumers and their perceptions of financial services, including the process of providing financial advice, identifying client needs and what products/services are available to satisfy them, and what role State benefits might play when providing advice.
Learners will also examine the main aspects of the UK legal system relevant to an Advisor, including powers of attorney, the laws of contract and agency, types of property and its ownership, insolvency and bankruptcy, and the administration of estates.
Lastly, they will learn about regulation, rules, and the regulators who enforce these rules to ensure the markets operate with integrity, customers are being treated fairly, and that customers are protected. This includes looking at the work of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and how the UK and European regulators work and link together.
Costs
For standard enrolment, CF1 costs £231.00 for Members and £283.00 for Non-Members. However, prices can vary depending on changes made to the enrolment preferences. For example, choosing Assessment Only reduces the cost to £127.00 for Members and £151.00 for Non-Members.
Time and Assessment
The CF1 is expected to take 60 hours of study and concludes with a 2 hour exam consisting of 100 multiple choice questions. The exam is based on the syllabus content as opposed to any particular tuition material.
Candidates will be examined on the basis of English law and practice usually within the tax year of their examination period. For example, examinations undertaken between September 2023 and August 2024 will be examined on the basis of English law and practice within the tax year of 2023/2024.
For any legislative or industry changes, the CII general rule is that candidates will not be examined earlier than 3 months after they come into effect.
The CII exam guide offers further, in-depth information to prepare candidates for the exam. Find the 2023/2024 CF1 exam guide here.
Study Tips
As the CF1 is assessed through a multiple choice exam. Ensuring you thoroughly understand the content you are learning will be key to successfully memorising all of the information you will need to pass. Any information you are unsure of will be difficult to recall, therefore we recommend beginning your studying as soon as possible to allow yourself the time to work through the content, paying particular attention to any areas you are unsure of.
- Memorising Techniques – Utilise revision techniques that help with memorising information. Condensing the content of the syllabus into easy to consume bites will make the information easier to retain. You could make use of flashcards to revise and test your knowledge, especially on the go or during your spare time.
- Practice assessments – One of the most successful techniques for revising for a multiple choice exam is to complete practice assessments. The CII examination guide for the CF1 has 100 free mock questions for learners to practise their knowledge. There are also many independent providers who offer practice papers and mock questions.
- CII Study Materials – The CII has a number of revision aids available for learners to purchase to support their studies. This includes a key facts booklet, knowledge checker, and e-learning materials. These may come free with your enrolment depending on what preference you enrol under when purchasing the course.
Conclusion
Completing the Certificate of Mortgage Advice is ideal for anyone with ambitions to enter the Mortgage Industry and offer advice in a professional capacity. The CF1 in particular is well suited for individuals working in administrative, operational, and technical support roles.
We have a wide range of roles available to help new Mortgage Advisors break into the industry. If you are looking for your first role in Mortgage Advice, why not take a look at the Mortgage Advisor roles we have available on our website!