Diploma Programme
Advanced Diploma for Financial Advisors
this Course
in this Course
Overview
The Advanced Diploma for Financial Advisors (ADFA) is a self-study diploma programme. It equips finance professionals with the skills required to provide sound financial advice to clients on the products and services that can help them achieve their financial goals.
The programme is internationally accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI), UK (the oldest Banking Institute in the world).
The ADFA Programme consists of three specializations: Banking, Mutual Funds and Securities. Each specialization consists of three levels, with Level 1 being the foundation for all specializations.
Students will cover four (4) modules in this course:
Internationally Accredited
Advanced Diploma for Financial Advisors (ADFA) Programme is now internationally accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute.
Hear what these graduates (formally Cert. FA) have to say.
Specializations
Level One – Introduction to Financial Services and Products
- Financial Planning
- Economic Environment
- The Regulatory Context for Financial Service Sales
- Banking Services of Financial Institutions
- Time Value of Money
- Taxation
Level Two – Financial Products
- Insurance
- Mortgages
- Consumer Credit
- Financial Products & Markets
- Retirement
Level Three – Case Book: Client Assessment and Advice
Level One – Introduction to Financial Services and Products
- Financial Planning
- Economic Environment
- The Regulatory Context for Financial Service Sales
- Banking Services of Financial Institutions
- Time Value of Money
- Taxation
Level Two – Financial Products
- Introduction to Capital Markets
- Types of Securities
- New Issues
- Primary and Secondary Markets
- Special Regulatory Requirements
- Accounting Analysis
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Fixed Income Securities Analysis
- Fundamental and Technical Analysis
- Investment Management
- Financial Products and Markets
- Retirement
Level Three – Case Book: Client Assessment and Advice
Level One – Introduction to Financial Services and Products
- Financial Planning
- Economic Environment
- The Regulatory Context for Financial Service Sales
- Banking Services of Financial Institutions
- Time Value of Money
- Taxation
Level Two – Financial Products
- Mutual Funds – An Introduction
- Types of Mutual Funds
- Mutual Funds Risks
- The Mutual Fund Organization
- Fees and Expenses
- Fund Pricing
- Returns and Performance
- Marketing of Mutual Funds
- Mutual Fund Customers
- Financial Products and Markets
- Retirement
Level Three – Case Book: Client Assessment and Advice
Academic Guidance
The ADFA Programme was developed for self-study and as such, taught classes are not offered by the IBF. However, if you are interested in accessing taught classes for the programme, please contact our office to find out more about our recommended tuition providers.
Programme Resources
Entry Requirements
To register for the ADFA Programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Payment Methods
Registration
Registration Details for September 2026 will be available soon.
Registration Deadline: July 24th, 2026
Examination Date: September 26th, 2026
To register for the ADFA Programme, please download, print and complete the following forms and return them to our office:
ADFA Examination Registration Form
Complete payments of the registration, annual membership and examination fees must be received prior to registration for the Programme.
