Structured preparation for the CISI Level 4 Financial Planning and Advice unit, aligned to Version 9 for exams through 30 September 2026.
Course syllabus information reviewed for 2026. Always check the awarding body’s latest official syllabus and candidate updates before booking or sitting your exam.
Financial Planning and Advice is a Level 4 technical-unit option in the CISI Investment Advice Diploma. Candidates following this route combine it with the two IAD core units: UK Regulation and Professional Integrity, and Investment, Risk and Taxation. The same unit also combines with Investment, Risk and Taxation in the CISI Certificate in Paraplanning.
The syllabus moves from the financial-planning process and client analysis through protection, pensions, retirement-income strategies and the development, implementation and review of suitable recommendations. This page follows the current Version 9 syllabus, maps all 80 questions across its five official elements and records the applicable CISI Candidate Update posted in March 2026.
| Assessment | Multiple-choice examination |
| Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Level | CISI Level 4 |
| Total Qualification Time | 140 hours |
Understand where this technical unit fits within the Investment Advice Diploma and Certificate in Paraplanning routes.
Allocate revision time using the exact five-element distribution across all 80 examination questions.
Connect client analysis with protection, retirement solutions and the development of suitable recommendations.
Planning fundamentals, professional relationships, client information, streamlined advice, financial analysis, priorities and existing arrangements.
Protection needs, life assurance, income protection, critical illness, long-term care and the selection of appropriate solutions.
Pension provision, scheme taxation and regulation, DB and DC arrangements, State benefits and retirement-income choices.
Advice before and after retirement, investment and drawdown strategies, sequencing risk, income sustainability and later-life needs.
Developing, justifying, implementing, communicating and reviewing suitable client recommendations.
The Level 4 assessment contains 80 multiple-choice questions and lasts 120 minutes. Computer-based tests may include up to 10% additional unscored trial questions with proportionately more time.
The page follows Version 9, effective from 1 October 2025, and records the applicable CISI Candidate Update posted on 12 March 2026.
It is one of three technical-unit options. The IAD route combines it with UK Regulation and Professional Integrity and Investment, Risk and Taxation.
Yes. The Certificate in Paraplanning combines Financial Planning and Advice with Investment, Risk and Taxation.
Retirement Planning carries 24 of the 80 questions, followed by Financial Protection with 19 and Financial Planning with 17.
The storefront and checkout are open while the latest Version 9 exams, flashcards, summaries and revision resources are being completed. Purchasers see the current two-hour completion notice on their dashboard.
Always confirm the latest official CISI syllabus and Candidate Updates for your 2026 sitting. This page records Version 9 and the applicable update verified on 10 August 2026.
No. For UK regulated activities, the firm must map the role to the FCA Training and Competence sourcebook and its appropriate-qualification tables. A CISI course title alone does not establish authorisation for every activity. Confirm the requirement with the employer and regulator before booking.
Use the official CISI booking flow to check remote-invigilation or test-centre availability for CISI Financial Planning and Advice. Confirm the current workbook edition and read Candidate Updates before booking.
Exams Academy checkout is displayed in US dollars and the card provider converts it to GBP. The official CISI exam and required workbook are booked and paid for separately at the current CISI price.
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Review how CISI Financial Planning and Advice connects to regulation, qualification pathways, booking, currency and careers in the United Kingdom before paying the official exam fee.
Financial Planning and Advice is a Level 4 technical-unit option in the CISI Investment Advice Diploma. To complete this IAD route, combine it with UK Regulation and Professional Integrity and Investment, Risk and Taxation. The unit also combines with Investment, Risk and Taxation in the Certificate in Paraplanning.
Financial Conduct AuthorityUse the official CISI booking flow to check remote-invigilation or test-centre availability for CISI Financial Planning and Advice. Confirm the current workbook edition and read Candidate Updates before booking.
Find a CISI test centreThis unit supports financial-advice and paraplanning roles through client-needs analysis, protection, pensions, retirement solutions and suitable recommendations. It is part of wider qualifications, not a standalone licence for every regulated activity; the employer and FCA Training and Competence tables determine the requirements for each role.
Exams Academy checkout is displayed in US dollars and the card provider converts it to GBP. The official CISI exam and required workbook are booked and paid for separately at the current CISI price.
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