The APA is an industry recognised entry level designation.
It's a stepping stone to the prestigious QFA (Qualified Financial Adviser). The Accredited Product Adviser (APA) designation meets the Central Bank’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC) requirements for selling and advising on certain retail financial products. It will give you the foundations to build a successful career in financial services and make you marketable in the workplace.
To hold an APA designation with LIA, you must complete an online course consisting of two modules offered by LIA’s academic education partner, Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
These two modules can be QFA Regulation plus one or more of the modules listed below. Once you have completed the two modules, you can apply to LIA for your first APA designation. Any further APA modules you complete will lead to additional APA designations. Click the link below for an example of how APAs work.
All our courses are provided online via distance and self-directed learning, meaning you can study from home or work before sitting your exam online. Each module in this course is worth 5 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). All exams are 2-hour multiple choice exams with 100 questions.
COURSE AIMS
By gaining APAs in key financial service areas you will be equipped to:
- give competent product advice to your customers in your chosen area(s) of expertise
- describe relevant regulation that is used in the provision of financial services
- use analytical skills to make recommendations to customers regarding financial products.
COURSE CONTENT
Modules
QFA Regulation
- Why Governments Regulate Financial Services
- Authorisation
- Marketing
- Meeting Potential Clients
- The Sales/ Advisory Process
- Customer Records
- Handling Complaints
- Investor Protection
- Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts
- Whistleblowing
QFA Loans
- Housing Loans
- Taxation and Reliefs
- Comparing Housing Loans
- Housing Loan Insurance
- Arranging a Housing Loan
- Remortgaging
- Arrears and Debt Management
- Consumer Credit
QFA Pensions
- The Need for Retirement Planning
- State Pensions
- Personal Contracts
- Employer Pension Schemes
- Transfers
- Investment
- Pension Adjustment Orders
- Taxation
- Annuities
- Approved Retirement Funds (ARFs)
- Regulatory Bodies
- Inflation and Compound Interest
- Comparing Options and Plans
- Providing Advice
QFA Life Assurance
- Personal Financial Needs
- Life Assurance Cover
- Serious Illness Cover
- Quantifying Protection Needs
- Wills and Estates
- Business Insurances
- Comparing Protection Cover
- Investment Bonds
- Savings Policies
- Taxation
- Providing Advice
- Starting a Policy
- Paying Out Benefits
- Financial Maths
QFA Investment
- Financial Services Market
- The Economy
- Investment Asset Classes
- Deposits
- Shares
- Bonds
- Collective Investment Funds
- Employee Share Incentives
- Tracker Bonds & Structured Retail Products
- Unit Linked Policies
- Taxation
- Financial Maths
- Consumer Protection Code Obligations
- Comparing Investment Products
Key Dates
Upcoming Key Dates
September 2024
Next exam session - Click for a full list of exam dates
12 July 2024
Closing Dates for registrations
Module Pricing
The registration fee for each module is €350 and includes examination entry, textbook, and a suite of learning resources provided in our student log-in area such as your study guide, pre-recorded webinars and more.
Up to 100% funding* is available to complete APA (Accredited Product Adviser) modules with LIA through your local Education Training Board (ETB). To find out more, click below.
*Dependent on eligibility criteria and ETB offering.
Study Fee
If you are not already paying an annual LIA membership fee, you are required to pay one study fee (€100) in addition to your first module fee. This covers you for 12 months study i.e. you can enrol on any number of modules during that time without being charged the study fee again. Those who hold annual membership with LIA are not required to pay the study fee if enrolling on modules.
Minimum Entry Requirements
| Institution | Leaving Cert or Equivalent | Leaving Cert English | Leaving Cert Maths | RPL | Alternative Qualifications | English Language |
| LIA | 5 x O6/H7 or higher | Minimum of Grade O6/H7 | Minimum of Grade O6/H7 | Yes – see below | Yes – see below | IELTS 5.5 |
or
An equivalent qualification at the same level (e.g. A levels; Highers/Advanced Highers (Scotland), International Baccalaureate; European Baccalaureate etc).
Any QQI level 5/6 FE qualification is acceptable.
All applicants are required to have competency in English endorsed by the Irish Leaving Certificate or other equivalent award.
All learners are required to be proficient in English. Where a candidate’s mother tongue is not English, he or she is required to provide a proof of proficiency in the English language through satisfactory performance on an internationally recognised test (e.g. IELTS 5.5) or other similar English Language qualifications.
Mature applicants who do not have a Leaving Certificate will be assessed for entry based on work experience along with a demonstrated commitment towards the academic requirements for the programme. This may be assessed using a written application from the candidate and/or by interview. Such learners will have relevant employment and will have access to the IT facilities necessary to participate in the programme. RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) applicants will be required to complete a personal statement which addresses how the applicant has met the minimum standard by reference to QQI’s Business Standards at Level 6.
All other applicants, who do not meet these criteria, will be dealt with on their individual merits and on a case-by-case basis. Decisions made under this mechanism will not set a precedent for adjudicating similar applications.
Who is this Course For ?