Build your reputation and grow your network in financial advice as a CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist. A CA Specialisation demonstrates to your clients and the wider CA community, your skills, knowledge and experience in providing financial advice.

As a  CA Finanicial Planning and Advice Specialist you will have an opportunity to expand your reach, through our Find a CA searchable directory located on the CA ANZ website, giving you the chance to capitalise on referrals.  

How to become a CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist

You must be a member of Chartered Accountants ANZ i.e. either a CA or Affiliate, who is licensed or authorised to offer financial advice.  Furthermore, you are required to meet relevant education and experience criteria which are outlined in regulations CR6 and CR6C. 

1. Review the requirements

You need to have 4 years of practical experience in the last 10 years, including at least 40% of employment related to financial planning and/or financial advice. 

You also need: 

• To demonstrate that you meet applicable registration and licensing requirements to offer financial advice  
• to be a financial services licensee or an authorised representative of a licensee listed on a register with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) 
• to have successfully completed the education requirements to become listed on the register with ASIC. 

2.  Apply for recognition

Complete and return the CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialisation Application for Recognition form, attaching reference and education documents. 

References

You will need to provide two references from individuals who can positively attest to your skills, knowledge and experience in financial advice. 

Consider the following when choosing your referees: 

1. One referee must be a Chartered Accountant with at least three years’ membership who has known you for 12 months or more. 
2. At least one of the referees should be from the licence holder with whom you are licensed, or if you are the licence holder, from a Chartered Accountant who can attest to your current involvement in financial advice. 
3. The referees should not all be from the same organisation. 

The referees must not be related to you. 

Supporting documents 

Finalise your application by attaching the following: 

• (AFSL) Australian Financial Services Licence or Authority to act as representative details/ 

3. Application review 

Following a review of your application you will be informed by email if your application has been approved. 

Approved applicants will receive: 

• a welcome email containing your approval letter and welcome brochure, and your hard copy certificate of recognition via the mail. 
• the CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialisation signature banner for your promotional use. 
• your invoice confirming payment for the specialist subscription fee.  
• Annual specialisation subscription fee - AUD $328 incl GST (prorated for the first year

Ongoing Obligations

At least 40% of your CPD requirement must be in financial advice.

Benefits of becoming a specialist 

• Right to add the specialist certification descriptor after your name on all correspondence
• CA Specialists are listed on the public 'Find a CA' register on the CA ANZ website 
• Right to use the CA ANZ branded specialist signature banners to set yourself apart from others 
• Access to complimentary specialist CPD events 
• Discounts to non-specialist specific CPD 
• Specialist tools and resources 
• Specialist networking opportunities