Investment Planning (AF4)

For Investment Planning, the qualities that mean you are effective with clients are many and varied. Knowledge, the ability to express yourself clearly and people skills are all equally important. 

In the exam it is your technical knowledge of investment planning and its focused application to practical situations that counts. You therefore need excellent technical knowledge, strong analytical skills, the ability to write clearly and concisely, and you must be able to perform within a tight timescale. As the application of knowledge is so crucial, it is considered that the case study approach to learning is highly appropriate in preparing for the Advanced Diploma. For each case study in this workbook a full model answer with learning points is provided.  

The examination requires candidates to demonstrate that they are capable of advising clients whose overall levels of income and capital require a more sophisticated range of advice than is normally prepared by a Diploma/Certificate level adviser.  

Building a successful career in personal finance 

Investment Planning (AF4) builds on existing knowledge enabling advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities and offer a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to financial management. 

Please note: It is assumed that the candidate already has the knowledge gained from a study of unit R02 Investment principles and risk or equivalent and/or J10 Discretionary investment management. 

Summary of learning outcomes 

At the end of this unit, candidates will be able to evaluate the complex needs of clients and recommend appropriate solutions based upon detailed understanding and analysis of the: 

1. Economic environment and its impact on investment performance and investment decision making;
2. Features, risks and returns of direct financial investments;
3. Features, risks and returns of collective investment products;
4. Individual company performance and company accounts;
5. Types and measurement of risk and returns;
6. Main principles governing how to construct an investment portfolio, investment theories and management styles;
7. Range of portfolio management services.

Assessment

• 3-hour written exam (paper-based exam)
• Case study based with 3 compulsory questions
• The standard pass mark is 55% (for more information on standard pass marks please see here)
• The 2025 pass rate for this unit was 60.26%

Units treated as equivalent

Due to the extent of syllabus overlap, certain combinations of current and withdrawn units will result in only one award of CII credits.

If a withdrawn equivalent is held you may not need to complete a current unit in order to satisfy a qualification's completion rules. Clarification should always be sought from CII Customer Service.

Find out more about CII credit awards for equivalent units

Course delivery

Instructions on accessing your course on RevisionMate will be sent to your registered email address. This is typically within two working days of your order being placed, but may be longer, particularly if payment is made by bank transfer or the unit is available as a pre-order.