Summary
The Accredited Product Adviser (APA) is an industry-recognised, entry-level designation and a key stepping stone towards the Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) qualification. The APA designation meets the Central Bank’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC) requirements, enabling individuals to sell and advise on specific retail financial products. It provides a strong foundation for a successful career in financial services, enhancing employability and career prospects.
To earn the APA designation through LIA, you must complete an online course comprising two modules. These two modules typically include QFA Regulation plus one additional module from a list of available options. Upon successful completion, you can apply to LIA for your first APA designation. Completing additional modules can lead to further APA designations, expanding your competence across a wider range of financial products.
Benefit to you
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.
Who is this course for:
This course is designed for individuals looking to build or advance their careers in financial services. It’s ideal for current professionals seeking career progression, career changers entering the sector, and those needing to meet the Central Bank’s Minimum Competency Code (MCC) to advise and sell financial products like Investments, Pensions, Life Assurance, and Loans/Mortgages. This course provides the essential knowledge, skills, and regulatory compliance needed to succeed in the financial services industry.
Delivery and Assessment
All modules are delivered online through distance and self-directed learning, allowing you to study at your own pace from home or work. You will receive a textbook and access to a range of learning resources to support their studies.
Each module is worth 5 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), and all exams are 2-hour multiple-choice exams with 100 questions.
This flexible learning approach makes it easier for professionals to balance education with their work and personal commitments
Fee
€350 per module
Award and Designation
Upon completion, participants who complete QFA Regulation plus one other module, will be awarded the Accredited Product Adviser (APA) designation for that particular retail product by LIA.
QFA Regulation + QFA Investment = APA Investment
QFA Regulation + QFA Loans = APA Loans
QFA Regulation + QFA Life Assurance = APA Life Assurance
QFA Regulation + QFA Pensions = APA Pensions
CPD
8 Hours Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is awarded on successful completion of each module.
How to Register
To register for this course, click the link below. Existing LIA members will be directed to the account login page. If you’re new to LIA, follow the on-screen instructions to create a free profile and complete your registration.
This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory framework governing financial services in Ireland. Key topics covered include:
-
The rationale for government regulation in financial services.
-
Authorisation and marketing requirements.
-
Best practices for engaging with potential clients and navigating the sales/advisory process.
-
Maintaining accurate customer records and effective complaint handling.
-
Investor protection measures and consumer contract regulations.
-
Legal obligations around whistleblowing.
To earn the APA designation, this module must be completed alongside one other module.
This modules equips learners with essential knowledge and skills to advise clients on life assurance solutions and protection policies. Key topics include:
-
Assessing personal financial needs and quantifying protection requirements.
-
Understanding life assurance, serious illness cover, and business insurance solutions.
-
Navigating wills, estates, and protection cover comparisons.
-
Exploring investment bonds, savings policies, and taxation considerations.
-
Providing tailored advice, starting policies, and managing benefit payouts.
-
Applying financial mathematics to real-world scenarios.
To obtain the APA Life Assurance designation, candidates must complete QFA Regulation and QFA Life Assurance.
This module provides an in-depth understanding of investment products and the financial services market. Key topics include:
-
The role of the economy and various investment asset classes, including deposits, shares, and bonds.
-
Exploring collective investment funds, unit-linked policies, tracker bonds, and structured retail products.
-
Employee share incentives, taxation, and financial mathematics.
-
Comparing investment products and adhering to Consumer Protection Code obligations.
To obtain the APA Investment designation, candidates must complete QFA Regulation and QFA Investment.
This module equips learners with the knowledge needed to advise clients on housing loans and consumer credit. Key topics include:
-
Understanding housing loans, associated taxation, and reliefs.
-
Comparing housing loan options and the role of housing loan insurance.
-
Arranging loans, remortgaging, and managing arrears or debt.
-
Exploring consumer credit and best practices for client support.
To obtain the APA Loans designation, candidates must complete QFA Regulation and QFA Loans.
This module provides comprehensive knowledge on retirement planning and pension products. Key topics include:
-
Understanding the need for retirement planning and the role of state pensions.
-
Personal pension contracts, employer pension schemes, and transfer options.
-
Investment strategies, annuities, and Approved Retirement Funds (ARFs).
-
Taxation, pension adjustment orders, and regulatory considerations.
-
The impact of inflation and compound interest on retirement planning.
-
Comparing pension plans and delivering tailored advice.
To obtain the APA Pensions designation, candidates must complete QFA Regulation and QFA Pensions.
Key Dates
We’re committed to providing you with the resources and tools you need to succeed. Your core learning materials include lecture slides, short pieces, suggested readings, and the required reading from the course manual, all designed to support your learning journey.
Upon registration, you will receive a textbook for the module(s) you are studying. This textbook serves as your primary learning resource, providing essential knowledge and guidance throughout the course. The exam will be based on the content covered in the textbook, so it is important to engage with it thoroughly.
In addition to the textbook, supplementary resources will be provided to further support and enhance your understanding.
You will be invited to attend a one-hour online induction, presented by the education team at LIA. This interactive webinar is designed to help you get the most out of your studies by providing essential study tips, effective exam techniques, and a step-by-step walkthrough of the online exam process.
During thewebinar, the education team will also be available to answer any questions you may have, ensuring you feel confident and well-prepared as you begin your learning journey.
This study companion is a practical guide designed to support you in preparing for your exam. It provides valuable written tips on effective study techniques, helping you maximise your learning and retention.
Inside, you’ll find essential information on chapter weightings, allowing you to focus on key areas that carry the most significance in the exam. Whether you're looking for guidance on structuring your study sessions, managing your time effectively, or understanding which topics to prioritize, this resource is here to assist you every step of the way.
Our short, focused educational videos are designed to support you in preparing for your exams. These videos cover essential study tips, effective exam strategies, and guidance on how to get started with your study plan.
You'll also gain insights into tackling calculation-based questions, helping you approach them with confidence. Whether you need advice on time management, structuring your revision, or understanding key concepts, these videos provide the practical guidance you need for exam success.
Our expert lecturers deliver short, chapter-by-chapter audio lectures that guide you through the key content of your textbook. These concise lectures provide valuable insights and explanations, making it easier to grasp important concepts.
Perfect for listening on the go, these lectures allow you to reinforce your learning anytime, anywhere!
You are invited to attend a live, two-hour exam preparation masterclass for the module(s) you are studying.
This live, two-hour masterclass is specifically designed to help you prepare effectively for your upcoming exam. Led by our subject matter experts, these masterclasses covers key topics, exam strategies, and common challenges students face. You’ll receive in-depth guidance on how to approach various types of questions, including practical tips on time management and revision techniques.
This interactive masterclass gives you the opportunity to ask questions, clarify doubts, and engage with the content in real time, ensuring you feel confident and fully prepared as you approach your exam.
You will be provided with a factsheet, which contains essential tax information directly related to your textbook.
This valuable resource is designed to complement your studies, offering key insights and quick-reference facts to support your learning and exam preparation.
You will have access to hundreds of sample multiple-choice questions (MCQs) through the ‘Take a Test’ feature. This online tool lets you complete practice exams that closely mirror the format and content of your upcoming exam, providing you with valuable hands-on experience.
This resource is used to test your knowledge, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen your exam preparation, ensuring you feel confident and well-prepared on exam day.
You will be provided with a chapter weighting table that outlines the minimum and maximum number of questions that may appear on your exam paper for each chapter of the textbook that you are studying.
This valuable resource helps you prioritise your study efforts by giving you a clear understanding of the relative importance of each chapter.
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.