Paradigm has launched a new annual testing function as part of its CPD Academy.

The CPD Academy provides Paradigm members with a range of educational, CPD and training materials designed to help advisory firms meet their ongoing responsibilities. The topics covered include: mortgages, protection, general insurance and regulation in addition to newly-added categories aimed at an IFA audience such as pensions, investments, taxation and trusts, and financial planning.

Users of the Academy can now sign up to a new testing facility which allows them to complete their annual training on the following topics:

• Money laundering – two tests have been developed, one for administrators and advisers, and one for the Money Laundering Reporting Officer.
• Vulnerable clients.
• Complaints.
• Fraud.

Once Academy users have completed the specific training module they will be directed to a multiple-choice test to confirm their understanding of the material. Users who pass the test will receive a personalised CPD certificate to evidence their understanding on the topic.

Each firm is able to have master users, who will have access to a full overview of all individuals within their firm, and they can generate reminder emails to the team asking them to complete their training. They will also be able to see when tests have been completed and the activity has been recorded, thus helping with their compliance oversight.

The Academy also offers a recording facility which enables users to record all CPD activity they have completed each year and helps them to keep on track with meeting their minimum CPD requirements.

Christine Newell, mortgages technical director at Paradigm Mortgage Services, said: “Understandably, over the past six months we have seen a spike in demand for the CPD Academy which offers individuals of all levels within firms access to a wide range of CPD content. It’s clearly important for advisers not just to be working through the modules and continuing their professional development, but also to have a testing process in place to ensure they can demonstrate their understanding of the topics. This is why we’ve introduced these initial tests and it’s why we’ll be adding further ones on important topics including SM&CR and GDPR in the coming months, allowing advisers to evidence their ongoing commitment to continued learning within the sector.

“At Paradigm we pride ourselves on offering our firms access to top-quality training and educational resources with the aim of maintaining high-quality business levels, which will ultimately secure better customer outcomes. We believe this enhancement to the Academy will add great value for intermediary firms and access is not limited to Paradigm members, so I would encourage all firms looking for a solution to their annual testing requirements to get in touch to find out more.”