With the Financial Services Authority (FSA) moving to a principle-based approach to regulation, the ifs has recorded a large amount of interest from brokers for its Advanced Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) module from supervisors.
Covering the areas of Training and Competence, record keeping and the principles of supervision and team management, the ‘supervising in a regulated environment’ module is a self-study course and forms part of the advanced learning modules for supervisors.
Commenting on the take-up, Mark Roberts, head of faculty, financial regulation at the ifs, said: “The role of the supervisor is becoming increasingly important as regulation moves towards a principles-based approach to Training and Competence. The new module offers students an alternative to paper-based exams and I am delighted that the feedback has been so positive.”
Geoffrey Beard, managing director of Shire Direct Mortgages, who completed the module, said: “I have found the module extremely relevant and focused towards some of my regulatory tasks and responsibilities as a controller of the business. Possibly like others, the danger is that we can fall into the trap of thinking we know all there is to know; the module throws some very interesting light onto this theory.”
Mike Pendergast, IFA at Zen Financial Services, admitted the module would help intermediaries with the transition to a principle-based approach. He said: “The module should be a useful addition for people undertaking this kind of work and anything that helps us stay on the right side of regulation should be welcomed.”
