How to pass the CII R01-RO6 exams (DipPFS) in 6 months. 2025 update!

🎥 Financial Planner Life Golf Day | Game 1: Vikash Kanani vs Paul TaylorReal Golf. Real Financial Planners, Real Finanical Planning Career advice.Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify - here Welcome to the first ever Financial Planner Life Golf Day, where the fairway becomes a forum for honest, unfiltered career advice in financial planning.🏌️‍♂️ The Match:It’s Vikash Kanani (MD, Chatsworth Wealth) vs Paul “The Power” Taylor (Chartered Planner & Coach) in a competitive 9-hole matchplay at Mappley Golf Course, Nottingham.🎒 Caddies: • Paul Bradley (Founder, Chiltern Hills FP) • Jay Dhaliwal (Chartered Planner & Young Achiever of the Year 2023)🎤 Featuring appearances and insights from: • Mike Yuille (financial planner and straight-talking realist) • Carla Brown (President of the PFS & Director at Oakmere Wealth) • Guy Skinner (Founder, Citygate – the “4-week career starter”!) • Your host, Sam Oakes, bringing the banter and asking the real questions⸻✅ Topics we cover on the course:• Starting your career in financial planning with zero clients• The truth about referrals (and how to ask for them properly)• Niche marketing, cashflow struggles, and what no one tells you about year one• How AI is reshaping advice and speeding up training• Imposter syndrome and gaining confidence as a new planner• Managing time, energy, and avoiding “playing office”• The power of mentorship, and the case for being a human first planner🔑 Quote of the Day:“AI lets you be more human. And that’s where the real value in advice lives.” – Vikash Kanani⸻🏆 But who won the match?Let’s just say it came down to the final green. One clutch putt. One celebration. And one loser with their head in their hands.You’ll have to watch to find out.Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

Welcome to Day 2 of the Financial Planner Life Golf Day – where birdies, bogeys, and brilliant business insights go hand in hand.You can watch this episode on youtube or spotify!  here This round sees Michael Yuille CFP™ (aka Mr #ChickenTuesday) and Sam Oakes take on Carla Brown (President of the PFS) and Guy Skinner (Citygate Financial Planning) in a best-of-seven match play showdown — with caddies, clubs, and competitive spirit fully loaded.What starts as a light-hearted game quickly turns into a meaningful conversation about building a career in financial planning, winning business, and doing the right thing — both on and off the course.🏌️‍♂️ Today’s Golfers & Caddies:Michael Yuille CFP™ – France-based Certified Financial Planner™, U.K. pension specialist, and U.S. investment adviser helping UK/US expats retire in France. Known for viral LinkedIn content under #ChickenTuesday.Sam Oakes – Host of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, producer of content for the financial services, and founder and seller of a 7-figure turnover financial planning recruitment company. Expert in video-first marketing and passionate about attracting fresh talent to the profession.Carla Brown – President & Chair of the Personal Finance Society and MD of Oakmere Wealth Management. Champion of inclusivity and a major voice for women in financial planning.Guy Skinner – Director at Citygate Financial Planning and patron of Stand By Me, a bereavement counselling charity. Specialises in protection-led planning and advising legal professionals.🎤 You’ll also hear from:Paul Bradley – Founder of Chiltern Hills Financial Planning, passionate about values-based, lifestyle-led advice.Jay Dhaliwal – Chartered Financial Planner and Young Achiever of the Year 2023, representing the next generation of high-impact advisers.Paul Taylor FPFS – Chartered Planner, Certified Coach and Wealth Management Coach, helping planners grow personally and professionally.Vikash Kanani – Managing Director of Chatsworth Wealth Management Ltd, building a people-first advice business with empathy and integrity.🎯 In this episode, we explore:Why referrals are still the #1 business development toolHow protection advice opens the door to long-term client relationshipsThe key to building a client bank under 45Carla’s mission to attract more women into financial planningHow to get comfortable with asking for referrals (without sounding salesy)Why personality matters just as much as qualificationsBuilding your brand on LinkedIn through authenticity and humourSuccession, hiring the right people, and getting your culture right❤️ Charity Spotlight: This episode also highlights Stand By Me, a bereavement support charity for children and young people, with Guy Skinner as a proud patron. If you enjoyed the episode and want to give back, please consider making a donation:Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

How do you pass the CII RO exams and achieve the DipPFS? In this episode of Financial Planner Life, host Sam Oakes speaks with Gary Paul (Academy Relationship Manager, St. James’s Place Academy), John Smith (Qualifications/Technical Trainer, Redmill Advance) and Rebecca Bidwell, who passed the DipPFS in just 5 months.We answer the top questions aspiring advisers ask:What are the RO exams? → Six modules (RO1–RO6) that make up the CII DipPFS qualification.Which RO exam is hardest? → Most students struggle with RO3 (Personal Taxation).How long does DipPFS take? → Many take 12–18 months, but Rebecca did it in 5 with the right support.Do I need experience? → No. With the Academy and Redmill Advance, even career changers can pass.As a Back to School Special, the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy have 100 discount codes to get 50% OFF RO1 learning materials with Redmill Advance. Financial Planner Life listeners can access the codes on a first come first served basis:👉 Claim your exclusive discount now: https://shorturl.at/Fn8wPIf you would prefer watching the episode, you can here on the Financial Planner Life Youtube Channel  - This episode blends real experience with expert training insights, making it the perfect study guide if you’re preparing for your CII regulated financial adviser exams.Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

How do you get clients as a financial planner without buying leads or relying on referrals?In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes interviews Jak Ali, Managing Director of J.A. Financial Planning Ltd, a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management.Jak shares exactly how he generates clients as a financial adviser using creative, confident, and relationship-based business development. He has built his entire client base without depending on lead providers or a legacy client book.After training as a barrister and working on a death penalty case in California, Jak switched careers and moved to Dubai, where he began his financial planning career in a pure business development role. No leads. No shortcuts. Just hard work and smart strategy.It was there he learned a powerful truth:If you can master business development, you will never need to rely on anyone again.He later joined St. James’s Place at age 26, going straight into self-employment with full confidence that he could build a book of clients himself. And he did.Check out St James Place Academy here - https://www.sjp.co.uk/academyOne of his most inspiring stories?Jak saw a Vodafone executive on LinkedIn, but calls and emails went unanswered.So he flew to Luxembourg, waited by the stage at a tech summit with two cans of Irn-Bru (the exec was Scottish), and landed a 20-minute meeting.That conversation led to a new client and a mindset shift that changed everything.In this episode, you will learn:🔹 How to get clients as a financial planner using creative prospecting🔹 Why business development is the most important skill in financial advice🔹 The truth about going self-employed with St. James’s Place🔹 How to niche into sectors like education and generate leads at scale🔹 Why Jak mentors aspiring financial planners on confidence and psychology🔹 How to create a lifestyle-first model built on faith, family, and financeJak no longer chases clients. They come to him.Whether you are just starting your career, exploring self-employment, or trying to grow your client base, this episode is your blueprint for building a financial planning business on your terms.you can also watch this episode on the finanical planner Life YouTube channel 📍 Hosted by Sam Oakes, Founder of Financial Planner Life, the UK’s leading podcast for careers in financial planning.  If you want to start your own podcast or appear on the finanical Planner Life podcast, reach out - [email protected]. Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

Mortgage Adviser Explains Why She Went Self-Employed, and Will Never Go Back!👉 “I left my job after 16 years, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.” That’s what Carly Naylor, Mortgage and Protection Adviser at Foster Denovo, told me when we sat down to record this episode of Financial Planner Life.Carly’s been in financial services for over two decades. She started her journey in high street banking, moved into mortgage advice, and spent 16 years with one firm before making a leap that changed her life completely. She went self-employed under the Foster Denovo umbrella.She didn’t make the jump just for more income. It was about freedom. About ownership. And more importantly, about finally finding the balance between work and being a mum without compromising on ambition.But let’s be honest. That golden phrase, “work-life balance”, gets thrown around a lot, especially in self-employment circles. So we ask the question head-on in this episode:Can you really find work-life balance as a self-employed mortgage adviser, or is it just a myth?👇 In this episode, we cover:🟢 Why 16 years in the same job was enough🟢 The mindset shift from comfort to growth🟢 How Carly built recurring income through protection advice🟢 The emotional and financial impact of going self-employed🟢 Managing motherhood and a business without burning out🟢 What Foster Denovo provides that made all the difference🟢 Mentoring young talent and building something meaningful🟢 What real balance looks like when you choose how you workWhether you're a mortgage adviser stuck in a rut, a mum wondering how to make a career work around your kids, or someone on the edge of going self-employed, Carly’s story will hit home.It’s real. It’s relatable. And it might just give you the nudge you need.🔗 Helpful Links & Mentions👩‍💼 Learn more about careers at Foster Denovo:  click here Follow Foster Denovo Talks - a podcast produced by Financial Planner Life.  📩 Want to feature on the podcast or start your own? Reach out: [email protected] sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

If you’re a newly Level 4 Diploma qualified financial adviser with or without CAS status, an experienced financial planner wanting to run your own practice, or a mortgage broker looking to expand into financial planning, this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast is a must-listen.This week, host Sam Oakes speaks with Mark Hobbs, founder of New Leaf Distribution - an IFA network that supports advisers at every stage of their career. From helping mortgage brokers future-proof their income by transitioning into IFA, to supporting financial planners ready to launch their practice, and guiding newly qualified advisers without CAS into successful self-employment, New Leaf is redefining what a supportive network looks like.With over 60% of New Leaf’s 108 financial advisers coming from a mortgage background, many have seen huge success in year one, some building six-figure incomes by adding financial planning services alongside mortgages. This approach helps advisers not only boost revenue but also safeguard their careers against the rise of AI in mortgage processing.We’re also proud to produce The New Leaf Podcast — over 30 testimonials from members sharing the highs and lows of self-employment, and how New Leaf’s hands-on, family-first culture has supported them every step of the way.Whether you’re curious about becoming self-employed, scaling your advice business, or making the leap from mortgages to IFA, you’ll hear real-world success stories, practical advice, and why so many advisers choose to call New Leaf home.Links & Resources:🔗 Connect with Sam Oakes: LinkedIn | 📧 [email protected]🔗 Learn more about New Leaf Distribution: Website🎙 Listen to The New Leaf Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts📺 Subscribe on YouTubeBe sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

What if your advisers could serve 20–30 more clients, save 45 minutes per meeting, and reduce suitability report time from 3 hours to 10 minutes - all without hiring more support staff?That’s what Saturn AI is already delivering for over 600 financial planning firms  ( 1600 Advisers ), and in this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with co-founder Rohit Vaisha to explore how.But this isn’t another “AI will replace advisers” narrative.Saturn’s mission is to enhance human connection, not remove it, using AI as fuel to scale trust, proactivity, and personalised client care.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Saturn AI boosts adviser productivity and efficiency across the advice journeyWhy paraplanners and compliance teams are key to scaling with AIThe rise of proactive, always-on client engagement (and what advice firms can learn from Instagram and Netflix)The “universal adviser” model - what it is, and why it’s the futureWhy AI is only as good as the problems it’s solving — and the partners implementing it💡 Whether you're an adviser, paraplanner, compliance lead, or business owner, this is your blueprint for using AI to grow your firm without losing the human touch.👉 Book a meeting with Saturn AI: hereBe sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

Thinking about a career in financial planning?In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Miriam Murphy joins Sam Oakes to share her powerful career switch story, from Executive Assistant to qualified financial planner, with support from the St. James’s Place Academy.Miriam opens up about her early money mindset, paying off debt, buying a home, and how mentorship from Rob Gardner helped her see the potential she hadn’t yet recognised in herself. If you're considering becoming a financial planner or making a career change, this is the episode for you.We cover:How the St. James’s Place Academy supports career changersThe emotional journey from debt to financial freedomWhy executive assistants make brilliant financial plannersThe power of mentorship in shaping your careerHow financial planning changed Miriam’s lifeBuilding a business with purpose and empathyThe mindset shifts that make you better with moneyCreating a niche offering as an Executive Financial Assistant (EFA)👉 Interested in finding out more about the St. James’s Place Academy? Click here: https://www.sjp.co.uk/academyBe sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

 Wayne Griffiths | One Financial Solutions | Financial Planner CareersIn this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes sit down with Wayne Griffiths, Managing Partner at One Financial Solutions, to explore how he’s creating meaningful, supportive career paths for self-employed financial planners.We also dive into the ongoing debate: what’s better, restricted or IFA? Wayne shares his honest views and explains why the best advice always comes down to trust and intention—not just labels.Wayne also opens up about his journey from financial planner to business leader, his passion for life cover and protection advice, and how his firm supports advisers at every stage of their journey - whether you're starting out, looking to grow, or transitioning your career.If you're an IFA or employed financial planner considering your next step, this episode is packed with insights about control, earnings, and working within a values-driven firm.In this episode:Building careers in financial planningThe value of protection and life coverSelf-employed IFA career supportIFA vs. restricted adviceWhy One Financial Solutions stands outAdvice for new and experienced financial plannersInterested in joining One Financial Solutions? Click here or reach out to Wayne directly.Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

From Admin to Self-Employed Financial Planner with £10M AUM by 26! In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Lawrence Bearman, a 26-year-old Chartered Financial Planner at Westminster Wealth Management who's gone from admin assistant to managing £10 million in assets, all within his first year of self-employment.We unpack:Why Lawrence chose to go self-employed with just £3M AUMHow he tripled his assets in 12 months without cold calls or networking eventsThe £10K personal investment he made to become a better communicatorHis laser-focused niche: high-earning lawyers - book a meeting here Why Westminster Wealth gave him the freedom to build his business his wayLawrence’s story is packed with actionable insight for both aspiring advisers and experienced professionals ready to take control of their financial planning careers.https://linktr.ee/wwmrecruitmentBe sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.