No two journeys into financial planning are the same.
One of this year’s top Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (PGDip) achievers returned to an industry she had left years earlier. Another balanced studying with the demands of a full-time career, discovering that consistency matters more than intensity. A third discovered that the qualification was about far more than academic achievement; it gave him a deeper understanding of the people behind the financial plans.
Different stories. Different motivations. Yet all three finished among the top performers in MBSE’s PGDip.
The PGDip is the final step in MBSE’s structured learning pathway, equipping professionals with the advanced knowledge and practical skills required for comprehensive financial planning. Graduates meet the educational requirements to apply for the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa’s Capstone Programme as part of the process towards achieving the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) professional designation. Admission requires an NQF Level 7 qualification. Alternatively, professionals with at least five years’ industry experience who hold an Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6), such as MBSE’s Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6), may qualify for admission through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route.
Graduating from the qualification is a significant achievement. Finishing among the top three requires discipline, perseverance, and the ability to balance demanding careers with personal lives.
This year’s top achievers are Cindy Wienand, who is preparing to return to the financial services industry after several years away; Baily Neill, a junior portfolio manager at Sanlam Private Wealth; and Jason Smith, who works at Portfolio Bureau. Their paths to the top of the class were different, but each discovered something about themselves along the way that proved every bit as valuable as the qualification itself.
Here’s how each of them got there.
Cindy Wienand: Finding her way back
When Cindy enrolled for MBSE’s PGDip, she wasn’t simply adding another qualification to her CV. She was finding her way back to a profession she had always loved.
Her career in financial services began many years ago at an asset management company in Cape Town, but life took an unexpected turn when she married and moved to a farm. Although she stepped away from the industry professionally, her interest in finance never faded. She continued managing her family’s investments and followed developments in the industry, holding onto a long-standing belief that financial knowledge can empower people.
“I’ve always loved the idea of using financial knowledge to empower others,” she says. “That’s what has now drawn me to financial planning.”
Returning to formal study after such a long break inevitably brought some uncertainty. At 46, she wondered whether she would be the oldest person in the class.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see many people challenging themselves at all ages and stages of life.”
Being named MBSE’s top achiever in the PGDip came as an even bigger surprise.
“I honestly couldn’t believe it,” she says. “After being away from the formal financial industry for so long, it was a lovely surprise.”
The qualification became more than an academic achievement. It was proof that returning to a career she had once enjoyed was not only possible but within reach.
Like many students, Cindy found the volume of work daunting. Rather than getting stuck on topics she struggled with, she focused on maintaining momentum.
“I made sure I got through the material rather than getting completely stuck on sections I struggled with,” she explains. “Sometimes you just have to keep going and trust that the pieces will start fitting together.”
Her advice to future students is to use artificial intelligence thoughtfully.
“It can be a fantastic tool to assist with understanding a concept or explaining it in a different way,” she says. “But it’s also easy to overuse and get lost in too much information – not to mention forget how to think for yourself.”
Although naturally drawn to the analytical side of finance, Cindy says one aspect of the qualification particularly stood out.
“I was impressed by how much the psychology of financial planning came into play. In real life, each person’s situation truly is different.”
That perspective has already influenced the way she approaches her own financial decisions, encouraging her to think more holistically about investments, tax and estate planning rather than viewing each area in isolation.
Now preparing to re-enter the profession and work towards CFP® certification, she says being recognised as one of the qualification’s top achievers has given her the confidence to take that next step.
“If there’s one lesson I learned from this journey,” she says, “it’s that you’re never too old to study. You just need to be brave enough to start.”
Baily Neill: The value of consistency
For Baily, financial planning has always been about more than technical expertise. What first attracted her to the profession was the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
“Financial planning is about much more than numbers,” she says. “It’s about helping individuals and families achieve their goals, navigate challenges, and create long-term financial security.”
The PGDip gave her the opportunity to deepen both her technical knowledge and her ability to serve clients. Being recognised as one of MBSE’s top three achievers, however, came as an unexpected reward.
“My first reaction was surprise, followed by a real sense of gratitude,” she says. “The programme requires a significant commitment of time and effort, so being recognised as one of the top three achievers was incredibly rewarding.”
Like many working professionals, Baily completed the qualification while balancing a demanding career with personal commitments. Rather than trying to master everything at once, she relied on structure and routine.
“I don’t think success comes down to studying harder alone,” she says. “For me, it was more about studying consistently.”
Breaking the workload into manageable sections, maintaining a regular study routine, and focusing on understanding concepts rather than memorising them helped her keep moving forward. Relating the material to real client situations also made the learning more practical and easier to retain.
The qualification has also changed the way she approaches financial planning. Instead of concentrating on a single product or solution, she now gives greater consideration to the broader implications of financial decisions and how different aspects of a client’s financial life fit together.
She believes the knowledge and confidence gained through the qualification will enable her to deliver even greater value to clients while opening new opportunities as her career develops.
Away from work, Baily finds a different kind of fulfilment through road running, where she also helps to organise community events. Being involved in the running community has reinforced the value of teamwork, resilience, and people working together towards a shared goal.
Those same qualities carried her through the qualification, one study session at a time.
“It’s to show up every day and keep consistent,” she says. “Keep going, even when the finish line still seems far away.”
Jason Smith: Looking beyond the numbers
Jason thought he was done with studying.
After completing a Business Science degree in Finance at the University of Cape Town in 2020, he was happy to leave lectures, assignments, and exams behind and focus on building his career. Then he joined Portfolio Bureau.
Although he had started his career as an equity analyst and had always enjoyed the markets, he realised financial planning offered something more.
“I wanted to expand into financial planning because I think it’s essential to be able to give clients a full and holistic view of their financial situation,” he says. “There’s so much more to it than just investing, and the fiduciary side is crucial.”
Enrolling for MBSE’s PGDip became the next logical step. Being recognised as one of the qualification’s top three achievers, however, was never part of the plan.
“I was extremely happy and quite surprised,” he says. “I never set out to be the best in the class. For me, it was always about actually understanding the work and not chasing a ranking.”
That philosophy shaped the way he approached the qualification. Rather than memorising content for examinations, he focused on understanding concepts that he could apply directly in practice.
Although he already had a solid grounding in investments, he was struck by how interconnected every aspect of a client’s financial affairs can be.
“Thoughtful planning and structuring can significantly improve long-term financial outcomes,” he says.
When complex client cases arise, he makes a point of listening carefully, thinking through the issues, and researching unfamiliar areas instead of assuming someone else will have the answers.
Studying while working full-time was demanding, particularly during the second semester, when life became busier after he got engaged.
“It was tough to come home after a long day at the office and sit down to study,” he recalls. “I just kept reminding myself of the long-term payoff, to put my head down and push through.”
That long-term mindset continues to shape his career. Having already enrolled for the FPI’s Capstone Programme, his goal is to obtain his CFP® professional designation before building his own client base.
Away from financial planning, Jason has another passion altogether. For the past 13 years he has worked as a DJ, performing at events in a world far removed from spreadsheets and compliance.
“It’s a completely different world,” he says, “but it allows me to showcase a different side of me.”
Looking back, he believes the biggest rewards rarely come easily.
“The hard things are usually the meaningful things. If it were easy, everyone would do it – and that’s what gives you the motivation to keep your head down and finish the job.”
For more information about MBSE’s range of qualifications, visit www.mbse.ac.za or contact MBSE at help@mbse.ac.za.
