Is Financial Planning the way for me?

Hi,

Am at that phase of my life when i'm seriously contemplating a career switch, and from all that i've read here - this seems the best thread to get some advice on what should be my next step.

After over 10 years in marketing and advertising, i've decided to switch careers to the financial services. It's something i've been contemplating for about 3 years and have finally decided to take the plunge.

My area of interest is really equity investing, and jobs in that area of the financial services. What i would like to do is get a good grounding in accounts and finance since it's not something i've been educated in. I have done workshops in fundamental analysis and finance for non finance executives though, and have been pretty active in educating myself.

Would anyone have any advice on how i can go about getting an education and getting a foot in the investing business? Would a Financial Planning diploma, say from Kaplan, be something that i should look at as a way to get entry into the field?

I'm 34, have worked in advertising and marketing for over 10 years, and am not a graduate (12 years of education). I will be moving to Perth by the year end - am currently in India. I'm currently looking at graduate certificate courses in finance at Curtin and Edith Cowan Uni, as possible ways to educate myself - since accept professional experience in leu of a degree. Am i on the right track?

Suggestions, advice, opinions on what i should/could do would be most welcome.

Thanks a ton,
Mark

Hi Italics,

If your area of interest is equities why don't you go into financial markets?

Cheers,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Ideally that's what i'd like to do. The question is, what's the best way to get a foot in the door in the industry, since i'm not from it. What kind of education should i be doing to get in.



Cheers
Mark

Hi Mark,

Kaplan also run a Diploma in Financial Markets which is tilted towards equities/stockbroking.

Saying that, most investment banks prefer to see a higher level of tertiary education (ie, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas or masters).

The equities industry is alot smaller than the financial planning industry, it may be easier to concentrate on the broader financial planning and then specialise/train once you are in a financial planning firm on equities if you are still keen on it

Cheers,

Dan

Dan, that's a thought i've been considering too - doing a financial planners course and then moving into equities investing. I guess what i want to do is get up to speed as soon as possible, and get to earning speed asap.

What i don't want to do is spend time doing something that's irrelevant to what i want to do finally - be a financial analyst - am already very much a late entrant to the field :-).

Between the two - the Diploma in Financial Markets, and the financial planning diploma - would your suggestion be the latter? How much will this help in my ultimate objective of joining the investment community - in terms of giving me a good grounding in accounts/finance.

No easy answers i know, but that's just the way life seems to be at the moment :-)

Thanks a ton,
Mark

I'd be going for the latter right now.
The markets are in turmoil.

thanks dan,

looking at the carnage in the industry, it may be the best way to go.

Any other suggestions/advice from anyone is most welcome.

Mark

Gday team

You can complete your FP degree with Kaplan and then add the Equities/Derivatives elective.
A little bit of extra work & you can compete against stockbrokers or bury the Financial Planning competitors (who just sell managed funds).
Gives HUGE credibility & much potential for later roles

Happy to discuss on 1300762624 & quite happy to hire new FP's with equity leanings.

Jeremy Britton
www.24hourwealthcoach.com