Authorised financial advisers

National Certificate in Financial Services (Financial Advice) Level 5

Important message for Market Participants still completing the National Certificate in Financial Services (Financial Advice) Level 5, and intending to rely on the transitional provisions:

Please be advised that the recommended date for submitting your AFA application have now past.

Action required:

If you are still intending to submit your AFA application prior to 1 January 2019, please contact us urgently to discuss your intentions.

Email: afaapplications@fma.govt.nz

Telephone: (04) 471 7664

National Certificate in Financial Services (Financial Advice) Level 5 – is subject to the transitional provisions of Code Standard 16 for authorisations that come into effect prior to 1 January 2019

Who needs to comply

All AFAs must comply with the requirements of the Financial Advisers Act 2008. This includes disclosure obligations which are set out in regulations.

New financial advice regime

Find out the latest here.

Authorisation, renewals and registration

See here for all authorisation, renewal and registration information.

Visit 'licensing forms and resources' section

Find an Authorised Financial Adviser

See our list of AFAs here.

See 'Licensed providers' section

Your obligations

As an AFA you must comply with a number of obligations when providing financial adviser services. It's important you understand your scope of obligations.

Code of Professional Conduct for AFAs

The Code applies to all AFAs.

See the code of professional conduct for AFAs

Financial advice

Putting investor interests first is at the heart of raising the standards of how financial advice is conducted.

Visit 'financial advice' section

DIMS - all you need to know

To be authorised to provide a personalised DIMS service you must first meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.

Visit 'DIMS' section

Monitoring and surveillance

How we monitor, and our current focus for each adviser type and for those on the perimeter of financial advice and services.

Completing your annual AFA information return

The AFA information return is an online tool that each AFA must complete and submit annually.

Visit 'regulatory reporting' section

We have a formal complaints process if people or companies breach requirements. AFAs who breach the code may also face the Disciplinary Committee.

Fair dealing

The FMC Act provides for fair dealing in relation to financial products and services and sets out minimum compliance standards of behaviour for people operating in the financial markets.

Visit 'fair dealing' section

Exemptions

Find out more about exemptions for AFAs and overseas finanical advisers, current notices and how to apply for one.

Visit 'exemptions' section

AML/CFT and you

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act) 2009 and its Regulations place obligations on New Zealand’s financial institutions to detect and deter money laundering and terrorism financing. Find out how it affects you.

Visit 'AML/CFT' section

Fees and levies

Applicants must pay a fee when they either apply for a new licence for financial market services or apply to vary an existing licence. The relevant fees are set by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and outlined in the Financial Markets Conduct (Fees) Regulations 2014. Review the full list of fees.

Visit 'fees and levies' section