The peak body has revealed it has entered into agreements with Kaplan Professional and Deakin University which will allow students to complete the SSA educational requirements as an elective unit in their respective Master of Financial Planning degrees.
“We are thrilled to partner with Kaplan Professional and Deakin University to further enhance education standards and professionalism in the SMSF sector,” SMSF Association CEO John Maroney said.
“We have always maintained SMSF advice should be underpinned by specialist education, and these new partnerships offer a professional pathway for financial planning students wanting to obtain both a Master of Financial Planning degree and the SMSF Association’s SMSF Specialist Advisor designation.
“Students who successfully complete this elective may be eligible to have their SMSF Association membership upgraded to specialist member status and be able to use the SMSF Specialist Advisor designation — the symbol of excellence in a dynamic and rapidly growing SMSF sector.”
Kaplan Professional CEO Brian Knight said the institution is “delighted” to be involved in the partnership that will provide more opportunities to advisers.
“Now being able to choose the new elective unit, which not only counts towards our Master of Financial Planning but provides access to the coveted SSA designation, is another incentive for advisers who are seeking to further specialise in their career,” Mr Knight said.
Marc Olynyk, financial planning program director at Deakin University, added: “The SMSF sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the superannuation industry and having a recognised designation to provide professional and competent SMSF advice is becoming increasingly important for advisers.”
