The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has appointed eight advisers as its first Fellows of Chartered Financial Practitioner.

The fellows include the current AFA National President Jim Taggart, AFA 2009 Student of the Year Dennis Maddern, Simone Demedici, Mark Maddern, Lisa Morgan, Zachary Maddern, Dean Hutchins and Steven Costall.

To qualify for the fellowship, advisers have to complete four units covering compliance, advice, implementing financial solutions and managing an advice business.

Dr Taggart says the fellowship focuses on delivering sustainable advice skills.

“It is like a mini MBA for advisers,” he said.