Higher Certificate in Wealth Management

The Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (HCWM) provides an ideal entry point into the financial services industry in various roles, or to kickstart your career in financial planning.

The HCWM is recognised by the Financial Services Conduct Authority for all product sub-categories of Category I FSPs, and can be used to fulfil fit and proper requirements for FAIS roles in Category I FSPs.

What will the qualification enable you to do?

Upon successful completion of the HCWM students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of legislation, ethics, and compliance in the context of the financial services sector in South Africa.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the financial planning process in terms of collecting, analysing and synthesising appropriate data to develop solutions and make judgments and recommendations that take into consideration client needs and attitudes.
  • Apply a fundamental knowledge of insurance, economics, investment practices, tax and other financial information to match the financial requirements of clients to financial products.
  • Communicate and present information, in writing and verbally, to demonstrate insight into current issues in the Financial Services Sector.

Who should Apply?

  • Administrators in financial planning practices, insurance companies, banks and retirement funds;
  • Self-employed financial advisors or brokers working under supervision who need a qualification to meet fit and proper requirements;
  • Tied agents; or employed personnel rendering intermediary services in a variety of roles.

Admission Requirements

Knowledge, comprehension and application of the English language at NQF Level 4 (Grade 12 or equivalent level) is required. Individuals who do not meet the statutory entry requirement for this qualification, can enrol with MBSE for the FETC: Wealth Management Qualification at NQF Level 4, or FETC: Short term Insurance Qualification at NQF Level 4.

After successful completion, students can continue with this qualification.

System and Other Requirements for Online Distance Learning:
(These requirements remain the responsibility of the student to arrange and maintain

General:

  1. Even though students can access their study material from any device connected to the internet, we strongly advise students to rather use an up-to-date and functioning computer,
  2. Stable internet connectivity at all times, at the place of study,
  3. Sufficient data to access study material and resources and to complete online assessments,
  4. Up-to-date Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and a PDF reader,
  5. Google Chrome as your internet browser, and
  6. A suitable environment in which to conduct online assessments.

Online webinars:

  1. We conduct online sessions via Zoom and/ or Microsoft Teams

Online Exams (where applicable):

  1. A functioning webcam,
  2. A functioning microphone,
  3. Fibre internet with minimum 10 MB up- and download speeds.

Duration

Full-time: One year
Part-time: Two years

Fees

Payment is made per module. A discount will apply if the full qualification is paid upfront.
Please contact our office for more information: help@mbse.ac.za

Method of training

Online learning (Material and submission will be done online)

Learning Material

Students will have online access to their study material which will include a study guide, self-assessments and relevant additional resources.

Content

Students complete four compulsory modules and can choose one of three elective modules.

Financial Planning Environment Fundamentals
Credits: 30
Compulsory
Provides an introduction to the financial services sector, its roleplayers and its products, as well as current issues and trends in the sector. The module also provides knowledge and understanding of the main legislation applicable in the context of financial plan- ning; and the important role of ethics in financial planning

Risk Planning Fundamentals
Credits: 30
Compulsory
Provides knowledge of client life-cycle stages and financial needs with an emphasis on personal risk needs, as well as detailed knowledge of the financial products and financial management strategies that are used to address personal risk planning needs. The module further provides a fundamental understanding of the financial planning process, and the use of a basic capital needs analysis in analysing a client’s personal risk needs.

Investment and Retirement Planning Fundamentals
Credits: 30
Compulsory
Provides knowledge of basic economic concepts, client life-cycle stages and financial needs with an emphasis on savings, investment and retirement planning needs, as well as detailed knowledge of the asset classes, financial products and financial management strategies used to address personal investment and retirement planning needs. The module further provides a fundamental understanding of the financial planning process, and the use of a basic capital needs analysis in analysing a client’s investment and retirement planning needs.

Introduction to Tax in Financial Planning
Credits: 15
Compulsory
This module provides an introduction to the South African tax system and different direct and indirect taxes that are applicable to individuals and businesses. The module further provides knowledge of the relevant sections of the Income Tax Act, as well as of different forms of business ownership to enable students to complete basic income tax and capital gains tax calculations for individuals and various business entities, and to gain understanding of the tax impacts relating to different financial products.

Business Assurance Fundamentals
Credits: 15
Elective
Provides knowledge of different forms of business ownership and their advantages and disadvantages in starting a business. The module also provides knowledge of basic financial statements used in a business, business assurance needs and the different business assurance structures used to address these needs.

Retirement Funds Fundamentals
Credits: 15
Elective
Provides knowledge of the main legislation and tax implications relating to pension fund benefits, as well as detailed knowledge of pension fund products and related group risk products and the benefits provided by these products.

Healthcare Benefits Fundamentals
Credits: 15
Elective
Provides an introduction to the medical scheme and healthcare benefits environment in South Africa. The module provides knowledge of main legislation impacting on and detailed knowledge of health care products.

  • This qualification is offered on a Full-time and Part-time basis.
  • To be considered a full-time student, you must be enrolled in modules totalling 60 credits in a semester and 120 credits in the academic year. If you are enrolled in modules totalling less than 120 credits across the academic year and less than 60 credits in a semester, you are considered to be part-time student.
  • Full-time students can complete the qualification in one Academic year and Part-time students can complete it in 2 Academic years.

Schedule

Financial Planning Environment Fundamentals
Full-Time students: Semester 1
Part-Time students: Semester 1

Introduction to Tax in Financial Planning
Full-Time students: Semester 1
Part-Time students: Semester 2

Business Assurance Fundamentals – Elective
Full-Time students: Semester 1
Part-Time students: Semester 2

Retirement Funds Fundamentals – Elective
Full-Time students: Semester 1
Part-Time students: Semester 2

Healthcare Benefits Fundamentals – Elective
Full-Time students: Semester 1
Part-Time students: Semester 2

Risk Planning Fundamentals
Full-Time students: Semester 2
Part-Time students: Semester 3

Investment and Retirement Planning Fundamentals
Full-Time students: Semester 2
Part-Time students: Semester 4

Assessments

Students will have to complete online Formative Assessments and a final invigilated written Summative Assessment for each module.

How to Apply?

Accreditation and Certification

Moonstone Business School of Excellence (Pty) Ltd acknowledges that, certification in vocational education and training and the content of the certificate, are regulated by the National Board of Education and governed by the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No 101 of 1997) as well as Regulation 1 of the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions, 2002.

overview
Closing date for Applications:
Semester 1: 29 January 2024
Semester 2: 1 July 2024

Method of Training
Online learning

Qualification Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years

Admission Requirements
Knowledge, comprehension and application of the English language at NQF Level 4 (Grade 12 or equivalent level) is required.

Fees:
Click here for fees, payment options and finance providers.

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The aim of the Higher Certificate in Wealth Management is to provide learners with a wide range of specialised and technical skills, as well as broad-based knowledge of the applicable legislation, economic principles and the financial services industry.