Taking top honours once is an achievement – doing it twice, in two different qualifications, is exceptional. Emily Broodryk, a para-planner at KM Wealth Management, has done exactly that, claiming valedictorian status for a second consecutive year in Moonstone Business School of Excellence’s career path programmes.
In 2024, Broodryk topped the NQF5 level Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (HCWM). This year, she led the pack again – this time in the NQF6 level Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning, which builds on the HCWM and prepares candidates for entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
Read: MBSE’s top achievers balance work and study in financial planning
Reflecting on her achievement, Broodryk says the recognition makes the effort worth it.
“It has been wonderful to see hard work pay off. Achieving the top spot twice in a row has really made the sacrifices along the way worthwhile,” she says. “From a work perspective, I have been lucky enough to have work fund my studies and it has given me the ability to show that I have made the most of the opportunity. The team is, of course, proud of the achievement.”
Broodryk was not alone in her success. Elisha Govender and Francesca Taylor also earned top achiever status in the ACFP.
The ACFP is a critical step in MBSE’s structured learning path, designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge to provide comprehensive financial planning services. It also meets the education requirement for the FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVISOR® (FSA®) designation from the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa.
The course covers the foundations of holistic planning for individual and business clients and is aimed at students looking to progress towards becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®). It can be completed full-time in one year or part-time over two.
MBSE invited the three top achievers to reflect on their learning experience, the practical application of the course in their roles, and to offer advice for those thinking about studying while working.
Emily Broodryk
Emily credits her success to grit, late nights, and a strong academic foundation.
She says starting with the HCWM gave her “a good foundation of knowledge and understanding”, essential to managing the more demanding ACFP content.
“ACFP was understandably a bit more difficult, as it required more application, and there is an assumption that certain things were already known,” she says. “A few times [I] found myself returning to my HCWM notes to brush up on certain topics.”
The Case Study module stood out as the most impactful for shaping her thinking around holistic planning.
“Being able to take the knowledge and principles learnt and applying them to everyday situations … gave great experience in having to deal with holistic planning as opposed to a single-need scenario,” she explains.
This practical application became deeply personal near the end of the course. Two long-standing clients passed away, and Emily was able to assist their families with confidence.
“I am so grateful that I have been able to make a small difference to these families through my assistance, taking some of the stress out of their situation.”
Balancing full-time work and full-time study pushed her to adopt more disciplined habits.
“With HCWM, I could comfortably cover the content … on the weekend. With ACFP however, … weekends alone were not sufficient … I was finding myself dedicating most evenings to studying as well, which required diligence after a long day of work.”
She credits MBSE’s support tools for helping her stay on track.
“The mock assessments ensured I went into all formative assessments feeling comfortable and confident,” she says, adding that lecturer support was consistently responsive and helpful.
“Julette’s book of Case Study practice questions also needs a special mention; the extra practice made the world of difference in my final exams.”
To future ACFP students, Emily says: “HCWM will have given you a great base … but expect the workload and content to increase. It is achievable … just remain diligent and keep studying. Also – don’t throw away your HCWM notes.”
Looking back, Emily says the qualification has not only built her knowledge but shifted her sense of purpose.
“Having the opportunity to study and obtain financial services specific qualifications has given me personally a big confidence boost and has helped me to feel more professional. … We have the ability to change lives every day, and that is an incredible gift.”
Elisha Govender
After 18 years in administration, Elisha knew it was time to level up. The 38-year-old relationship manager and para-planner at Diamond Bluestar (authorised by Sanlam) enrolled in the ACFP with the end goal to become a CFP® and succeed her mentor, Andrew Prins (CFP®), when he retires.
“I intend to become a qualified Certified Financial Planner, as I am working towards becoming the successor of my current employer. Enrolling and completing the ACFP is a compulsory first step towards reaching this goal,” she explains.
Elisha says the ACFP’s Personal Financial Planning module reshaped her approach to client engagement.
“This module addresses a client’s needs holistically. It allows you to cover all areas of financial planning that should be discussed with a potential client.”
She also praises the Case Study module for simulating real-life advice scenarios.
“Clients’ needs and concerns vary, and I understand that I need to provide suitable advice according to these needs.”
Although she’s not yet authorised to advise clients, she applies her learnings daily.
“While working as a relationship manager/paraplanner, I may not provide any advice … however I spend a lot of time with my employer … assisting with the preparation of holistic financial plans, recommendations and then assist in implementing the accepted solutions.”
Her long-term goal is to obtain CFP® status, advise clients independently, and eventually take over the practice.
“With my solid administration and systems experience, I can also consider positions in admin/sales management and compliance management.”
Balancing work, studies, and family required tight discipline. Elisha credits six strategies for getting her through:
- Commitment to the goal.
- Setting high standards.
- Time management – “Training myself to allocate self-development time, to study at least five days a week was key.”
- Repetition – “Studying became second nature … my spouse and kids adjusted based on what I needed.”
- Perseverance – “I always kept the end goal at the top of my mind and created a motto for myself: ‘Temporary pain for permanent gain.’”
She describes MBSE’s support as “beyond excellent”. “When your lecturer supports and gives you feedback and the guidance you need, it automatically motivates you to do more. I was never short of resources.”
Her message to future students? “You need to have a passion for this. You need to be teachable, willing to accept advice … and be able to keep up with the change. Start with focusing on what you want to achieve, show commitment, be dedicated to your personal goals.”
Francesca Taylor
For Francesca Taylor, a 32-year-old support services team member at Trevethan Financial Services, the ACFP was more than a requirement – it was a game-changer. She enrolled to meet the qualifications needed to complete her supervision period and register as a representative, but quickly discovered the course offered much more than just a checkbox.
The Personal Financial Planning module stood out as the most impactful.
“This module had the most relevant examples, knowledge and breakdowns of what I am involved with on a day-to-day basis,” she says. Concepts such as estate planning, retirement planning, and time value of money directly connected to her work on financial needs analyses.
The case study module, too, proved critical. It helped sharpen her approach to understanding client needs and delivering tailored recommendations.
“The case study was critical in assisting my planning on how to approach my clients’ needs and focus on providing the best recommendation for their financial situation.”
Francesca applies her ACFP knowledge daily.
“Time-value money calculations are used on a daily basis when working out future values,” she says. Estate planning conversations now include practical insights – asking clients about their marital regimes, explaining the implications for death or divorce, and emphasising the importance of having a valid will.
The course also shifted her long-term career outlook.
“This qualification has opened my eyes to a more insightful, knowledgeable, and better understanding of certain products and how we can provide the most appropriate recommendation,” she says.
Going forward, she plans to focus more on the importance of comprehensive records of advice.
Juggling studies with life wasn’t easy – Francesca completed the qualification while going through two pregnancies during the course.
“I learnt a lot about patience, time management and was not afraid to ask for help when needed,” she says.
She credits MBSE’s learning materials – from lecturer support to mock assessments – for helping her prepare and stay confident.
“The mock assessments and exams really gave an insight into what to expect and how to prepare.”
Her advice for future students? “Time management is key. I always printed out my notes and started to revise weeks in advance so that there was no last-minute stressing and cramming. Don’t be afraid to ask for help … try relating as much as you can to your own clients – this will make it easier to understand.”
Enrolments
MBSE offers the following accredited qualifications:
Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8)
Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6)
Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer (NQF 6)
Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5)
Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance (NQF 5)
Apply at www.mbse.ac.za.
For more information, contact us at help@mbse.ac.za.
I am coming up for HCWM ,then CFP®