Chapter 14 - CPD Compliance and Reporting
This lesson explains the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for IIP’s Authorised Representatives and provides practical guidance on how to meet those requirements effectively and consistently.
CPD is both a regulatory obligation and a professional responsibility that supports high‑quality advice and compliant client outcomes.
IIP utilises Kaplan Ontrack to manage CPD plans across its adviser network.
Why CPD Matters
CPD exists to ensure advisers:
Maintain professional competence
Stay up to date with regulatory, legislative, and industry changes
Maintain high standards of ethics, professionalism, and client care
Provide advice that is appropriate, compliant, and in the client’s best interests
CPD is enforceable under the law. Failure to meet CPD obligations can lead to:
Non‑compliance Reporting
CPD Failure Recording in Financial Advisers Register
Restrictions or revoked authorisation to provide advice
CPD should be viewed as an integral part of professional practice, not merely a compliance exercise.
Annual CPD Requirements – What Advisers Must Complete
Relevant Providers, which include Financial Advisers, are required to complete 40 CPD hours each CPD year.
Qualifying CPD activities must include a minimum in the following areas:
*For financial advisers who provide tax (financial) advice services to retail clients, the minimum hours for CPD across the mandatory categories include an additional 5 hours of CPD in the area of tax (financial) advice.
The above minimum mandatory categories accumulate to 34 hours, or 85% of the required 40 hours. The remaining 6 hours can be done of the advisers choosing and must be recorded in Kaplan Ontrack.
Practical CPD Tip: Spread CPD Across the Year
Best practice is to complete CPD progressively throughout the year, rather than leaving all activities until the final month.
A recommended approach is to complete around 10 CPD hours per quarter.
Benefits of this approach:
Reduces end‑of‑year pressure and compliance risk
Improves learning retention and practical application
Makes it easier to track progress and identify gaps early
Provides flexibility if work demands or leave disrupt plans
Helps embed CPD into normal professional routines
CPD completed steadily across the year supports better advice outcomes and smoother compliance.
👉Read our full CPD Policy here: IIP Dealer Group - CPD Policy
Available Resources to Earn CPD Hours
Advisers can earn CPD hours through a broad range of professional development activities, provided they align with licence conditions and the adviser’s CPD plan. Other than Kaplan, common CPD resources include:
Webinars, seminars, and conferences
Live or recorded webinars from BT Academy, HN Law, Ensemble Group, etc.
Industry conferences and roadshows
Professional association events
Online learning and e‑learning
Structured online CPD courses
Learning modules with assessments
On‑demand recorded training
Formal study and qualifications
University subjects relevant to financial advice
Ethics, tax law, or commercial law courses
Professional certification programs
Professional reading (limited use)
Technical articles, legislation updates, or industry journals
Generally counts for fewer hours and must be clearly relevant
👉For guidance on recording your external CPD points, refer to next lesson: Lesson 2 - Recording External CPD via OnTrack (Kaplan)