New planner online education options launched


Swinburne Online has announced that it will offer five new online business and accounting degrees from next month, in response to the Government’s reforms aimed at increasing educational standards of financial planners and advisers.
Andrew Vincent, Swinburne Online’s business and accounting program director said that the five new bachelor-level courses sought to equip students with specialist knowledge, helping fill the academic gap in the financial services industry
Of the approximate 25,000 financial advisers in Australia, just 32 per cent have any form of degree. The Government reforms sought to address this issue, improving both the standard of professional advice provides and public confidence from consumers.
Vincent said the online model would provide flexibility to advisers already working.
Adam Webb, recent Swinburne Online alumni and Commonwealth Bank Regional Victoria and Tasmania executive manager said that, despite having 17 years’ banking experience already, pursuing further education had proven worthwhile to him.
“Going through and getting my degree has been a hard, amazing and unique experience and now that I am out the other end, I am a better professional, have a clearer idea of what I want my career to look like and am a proud example to my kids,” he said.
The specialist courses were all Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand accredited.
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