The FSA has proposed to recognise the Institute of Financial Services as an accredited body for the purposes of providing verification services.

The regulator made the suggestion in its latest consultation paper on the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), released earlier today.

The Institute of Financial Services is a division of the ifs School of Finance through which the ifs will offer its services for advisers. These will include regulatory qualifications, professional body membership, knowledge development programmes and, should the FSA’s proposal be confirmed, the verification of CPD and issuing of Statements of Professional Standing.

Anne Kiem , the recently appointed chief executive of the Institute of Financial Services, said: “We are very pleased that the FSA is proposing to recognise the Institute as an accredited body and look forward to this being confirmed in due course.