The IFP has published the results of a survey conducted of Paraplanners.

The results were announced during the first IFP Paraplanner conference held in Leicestershire yesterday.

The results found most Paraplanners were aged between 25-44, 71 per cent were women and they earnt on average a salary in the high £20,000s.

Some 39 per cent of Paraplanners already had an existing Paraplanning qualification while 33 per cent were working towards gaining new Level 4 exams. Over 20 per cent were already qualified as CFPCM professionals or equivalent.

Some 40 per cent of respondents indicated they were interested in taking the IFP’s Certificate in Paraplanning which would enable them to be called Accredited Paraplannners.

The IFP certificate is described as the first of its kind in the UK to specifically test the knowledge and skills relevant to Paraplanning.

Over half of respondents indicated that they were intending to remain as Paraplanners with only 20 per cent stating they would like to become an adviser or Financial Planner in the future. Currently 26 per cent of Paraplanners work with more than five advisers.

The IFP expects that Paraplanners will be even more in demand once the RDR is implemented.

Mr Cann said: “These survey results help us to serve the Financial Planning community better and inform stakeholders of what they need to do their job most effectively.”