There are just days to go now till our 31 March deadlines. We know many of you have already got your applications in – as of Friday 25 March we had received nearly 1,000 applications and we’re currently receiving 50 – 100 per day. Weekly updates of AFA numbers are on our website home page. We’ve now granted status to some additional QFEs and more certificates will be going in the mail this week.
So, progress is looking pretty good. On the roadshow we picked up a bit of confusion about what the dates mean. And in case you missed it, the Minister has announced a likely three month extension for Christchurch advisers. So, here’s a final reminder on the steps to take.
If you want to be an AFA you have to both register and apply for authorisation (a licence).
Registration
31 March is the legal deadline for registration for advisers
But remember there is a criminal check that may take up to five days to process. To ensure you are on the register by the 1st April you should get in as early as possible this week
From 1 April it will be illegal to provide financial services unless you are on the register (or acting on behalf of a QFE)
Authorisation (AFAs)
31 March is the deadline to apply for authorisation if you want to ensure you’ll be an AFA by 1 July
You do not have to have completed your competency assessments by 31 March but:
make sure you have checked and double-checked the assessments you need to complete (www.afacompetence.org.nz )
make sure you have booked for all your assessments
remember to allow time for possible re-sits – only around 75% of advisers pass Set B first time around
You have to lodge your application yourself, ie your organisation can’t do this for you (the form asks you to confirm you’re the person named in the application, and to confirm you understand it’s a criminal offence to knowingly make false or misleading representations in your application). Encourage your organisation to contact the Securities Commission if they have any difficulties with this.
If you are part of a QFE you do not need to enter your QFE number if they don’t have it yet – you can enter this later
For Christchurch advisers
The Minister has announced a three-month extension of both the registration and authorisation deadlines is being considered for financial advisers affected by the 22 February earthquake.
The details of this decision will be announced in the next few days. Please contact the Commission and we will be able to alert you as soon as the Minister has made the announcement.
