How do you feel about the 'Paraplanning Standard' - share your thoughts here
Claire Goodwin
Administrator
There's been so much talk about a specific paraplanning standard of late, I want to know what everyone else thinks. I know this was a hot topic at the main Powwow but I missed out on that so I'd like to hear what you think too.
I published a blog on this yesterday to share my thoughts: https://medium.com/@theactualclaire/whos-standard-is-it-anyway-ce26285518ee#.bpt0ihjec
Really interested to see what you all have to say. Thanks, Claire
I published a blog on this yesterday to share my thoughts: https://medium.com/@theactualclaire/whos-standard-is-it-anyway-ce26285518ee#.bpt0ihjec
Really interested to see what you all have to say. Thanks, Claire
Comments
As you said, there are as many types of paraplanners as there are Financial Practices, and this makes it soooo difficult to benchmark how well we do.
I work in a small team which means sometimes demonstrating high standards is difficult, as I have no-one to compare to. If there was a standard I can use it as the benchmark.
Let me give you an example... If i was to look at changing jobs, there is no way of demonstrating how good (or not so good) I am, other than the exams and maybe references.
We all know exams are a ticking box exercise, they do not not define who we are or how well we do our job; they can not on their own demonstrate the value a good paraplanner can ad to an organisation. I feel a 'Paraplanning Standard' might well help us to achieve that. It will add value and in a way respect to what we do.
The problem is that employers, who are not generally paraplanners, don't have a fixed framework for the role. They also want employees who will do what they want, which might not match what we agree is a paraplanner. These employees will still usually be called paraplanners.
There will also be a lot of discussion and compromise on the subject of qualifications. I, for example, would not try and attain certification to a standard that didn't include a recognised level 4 qualification (that would meet the requirements of CF30) as a mandatory item. I am definitely a better paraplanner because of the exams I have taken.
These are a couple of issues of many to be worked through, if it is viable.