With the 31 May deadline fast approaching, key individuals and representatives are racing to complete their CPD hours to remain compliant with the Fit and Proper requirements. If you’re going to put in the hours, make them count – choose CPD courses that are easy to access, flexible to fit your schedule, and truly add value to your professional growth.
Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MBSE), an approved education provider with the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa and recognised by multiple professional bodies, offers a broad selection of CPD courses online. More than 60 courses are available, starting from just R122 and ranging from 0.5 to 12 CPD hours each.
According to Monique Brummer, MBSE’s operations manager, last-minute completions are common. “Unforeseen delays often result in a rush near the deadline. Fortunately, students paying by credit card receive immediate access to their courses and can get started right away,” she says.
The 31st falls on a Saturday this year, so it is advisable that students try to purchase their courses by Friday, in case they need to contact MBSE staff for assistance.
MBSE recently received strong positive feedback from students, particularly as enrolment spikes in the final stretch of the CPD cycle. The school’s platform helps learners to find relevant options quickly by categorising courses into four key areas:
- Regulatory environment – legal updates and changes in the financial services sector.
- Ethics – standards of ethical conduct.
- Technical – product knowledge and professional practice.
- Business skills – soft skills and practice management.
Popular courses with practical impact
Cyber Security Controls (3 CPD hours | R366)
This technical course equips small and medium businesses to assess their cybersecurity readiness.
Student feedback: “I am now even more aware of the importance of cyber security. This course was extremely informative.”
Getting to Know FICA (0.5 CPD hours | R120)
Falling under ethics, this course covers the basics of anti-money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation risks.
Brummer notes: “FICA training is required annually, so doing it for CPD hits two birds with one stone.”
Student feedback: “Excellent to get all our staff on the same level with FICA.”
Insurance Act 18 of 2017 (2 CPD hours | R244)
This course, under regulatory environment, provides clarity on key legal sections. Brummer advises that it is always good to refresh your knowledge as well as stay abreast of annual updates.
Student feedback: “I understand the different sections of the Insurance Act now; it was straight to the point.”
Refresher Long-term Insurance (12 CPD hours | R705)
Also falling under regulatory, this comprehensive course covers the Insurance Act and broader legal framework.
Student feedback: “It’s easy to get through with a busy work schedule.”
Business skills courses gaining traction
A Guide to Mindfulness in the Workplace (1 CPD hour | R122)
Aims to help professionals use mindfulness techniques to support personal well-being and boost productivity.
Student feedback: “Awareness of concept applied by self, to share with fellow employees.”
Effective Communication Skills (1 CPD hour | R122)
Focuses on enhancing internal communication, enabling both managers and staff to engage more effectively.
Student feedback: “It was well structured and straight to the point.”
Building Assertiveness and Self-Confidence (4 CPD hours | R488)
Covers the fundamentals of assertive behaviour and confidence-building – ideal for those wanting to strengthen these essential soft skills.
Student feedback: “The content was relevant and useful.”
Self-mastery (5 CPD hours | R610)
Encourages deeper self-awareness and helps participants to develop the behaviours and mindset needed for personal and professional growth.
Student feedback: “The Self-mastery course was BRILLIANT for me and taught me a helluva lot. I will definitely USE the course content GOING forward.”
COB refresher courses in demand
Refresher Long-term Insurance (12 CPD hours | R705)
Designed to provide an overview of the main role-players and market participants in the financial services sector, along with the regulatory framework that governs it.
Student feedback: “It’s easy to get through with a busy work schedule.”
Refresher Health Services Benefits (9.5 CPD hours | R705)
Covers the key players and regulatory landscape of the financial services sector, unpacks legislation relevant to the health services benefits class of business, and builds essential knowledge of product features, costs, and risks – crucial for offering sound client advice. Also explores the link between healthcare and personal financial planning.
Student feedback: “This course assisted me to get a job in a field I’m passionate about.”
Flexible e-learning options
MBSE’s CPD courses stand out for their accessibility, offering flexible e-learning options that can be completed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, anytime and anywhere.
Other features are:
- access to user-friendly, printable training material that is broken up into smaller units, supplemented with relevant multimedia content;
- access to MBSE’s helpdesk – queries are answered within three business days; and
- regular self-assessment to monitor progress.
Students can access and print their certificate once they have completed all the course activities and passed (at least 60%) the assessments.
Click here to sign up for an MBSE CPD course before time runs out.
