Elevate your client services, strengthen your reputation, and improve client retention in the financial services sector by becoming a CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist. This specialisation distinguishes your skills, knowledge, and experience in delivering financial planning and advice to clients and the broader CA community.

Benefits of Becoming a CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist

Becoming a CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist not only enhances your professional reputation, but also positions yourself as an invaluable asset to clients, helping them achieve their financial goals more effectively.

• Enhanced Credibility: Being a CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist demonstrates to clients that you have the capability to anticipate challenges and make informed decisions to protect their assets and interests. Your specialist knowledge adds value to clients, helping them navigate complex regulatory environments, such as tax planning and compliance with financial regulations.  
• Increased client trust: Clients are more likely to trust and engage professionals who have specialised knowledge and certifications. By offering a broader range of services, you strengthen client relationship – making it more likely they will remain with a CA who can meet their financial needs. This diversification not only helps retain clients but also opens up additional revenue streams, providing greater stability during periods when demand for traditional accounting services may fluctuate.
• Competitive edge: In a competitive market, having the CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist certification provides a unique selling point. It demonstrates your commitment to helping clients understand complex financial topics and stay on track with their financial plans. As a recognised specialist, you can proudly use the 'CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist' descriptor in your emails and marketing collateral. Promotion on 'Find a CA' service: You can opt-in on the My CA portal to have your Specialist status publicly found on this service.
• Professional growth: Specialising in financial planning and advice demonstrates your expertise and commitment to professional development. It provides CAs with new challenges and opportunities for growth, leading to greater job satisfaction and career advancement.
• Premium perks: Enjoy access to complimentary specialist CPD and roadshow events, discounted CPD, and valuable tools and resources to assist you in meeting your specialist CPD obligations.
• Networking Opportunities: Join the CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist community and connect with other specialists. Share ideas and experiences, increasing your visibility in the industry and build business relationships. It provides a support network of like-minded professionals who can offer guidance, support, and encouragement. This can lead to potential referrals from other practitioners, strategic partners, associated professionals, and clients.

How to Become a CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialist

To qualify, you must be a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (either a full CA ANZ or Affiliate member) and be licensed or authorised to offer financial planning and/or financial advice. Additionally, you need to meet the relevant education and experience criteria outlined in regulations CR6 and CR6C3.

Steps to apply

Step 1: Review the eligibility requirements

You should only apply if you have at least four years of practical experience within the last ten years, with at least 40% of your employment related to financial planning and/or financial advice. You also need to demonstrate that:

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

Step 2: Apply for recognition

Complete and return the CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialisation Application for Recognition form and send it to [email protected], attaching the relevant references, education and supporting documents.

References

You will need to provide three references from individuals who can positively attest to your skills, knowledge and experience in financial planning and/or 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.
4. The referees must not be related to you.

Supporting documents 

Finalise your application by attaching the (AFSL) Australian Financial Services Licence or Authority to act as representative documentation.

Step 3: Application review

After CA ANZ has reviewed your application, you will be notified by email if it has been approved or declined.

Approved applicants will receive:

• A welcome email from the Assessment Team containing your approval letter
• A hard copy certificate of recognition
• A welcome email from the Specialisation team with the relevant Specialist signature banner (for your promotional use), links to resources and marketing guide
• Annual specialisation subscription fees:
  • Current FY26 sub fees are $339 AUD, $383 NZD and $308.18 Overseas. (For Pro-rata rates for FY26, please refer to Application for Recognition form.)
  • FY27 sub fees will increase to $350.50 AUD, $395 NZD and $318.64 Overseas. (For Pro-rata rates for FY27, this will be advised when you apply to become a specialist - Application for Recognition form will be updated in September 2026).
• 4 hours of complimentary CPD each financial year (valued at AU$320 incl GST)
• 2 hours of complimentary Ethics CPD to help you meet your mandatory compliance obligations each financial year (valued at AU$195 incl GST)

Complimentary Specialists Networking events each financial year to provide you with opportunities to connect and network with other specialists.

Ongoing obligations as a Financial Planning and Advice Specialist

To maintain your specialisation and continue to grow professionally, at least 40% of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) must be in financial planning and/or financial advice.

Meet our Financial Planning and Advice Committee

Our committee is made up of highly experienced CA Financial Planning and Advice Specialists who:

• Contribute to advocacy and submissions related to financial planning and advice
• Assist in planning and leading regional CPD and networking events
• Provide technical expertise in the development of tools and resources for members
• Contribute to articles and guidance included in publications
• Communicate and engage with members in their region