Fiduciary experts to meet annually

The Fiduciary Institute of SA (FISA) will hold an annual convention at which practitioners and academics will discuss industry issues with a view to lifting the standards of fiduciary practice in South Africa.

Fiduciary practice includes the drafting of wills, administration of trusts and estates, tax and financial advice and the management of client funds.

This year the convention will be held on 15 September at the University of Free State’s Centre for Financial Planning Law in Bloemfontein. Speakers include leading academics from several universities, senior fiduciary practitioners and the recently appointed Chief Master of the High Court, Advocate Lester Basson.

Convention organiser and FISA member Louis van Vuren said: “The convention is designed to give practitioners deeper insights and practical assistance through exploring the outcome of several recent courts cases relating to trusts and wills.

“In addition, the role of trustees and executors will be examined and the Chief Master will talk about the status of estate administration,” said van Vuren.

Anyone involved in the fiduciary industry is welcome to attend the convention which is also an accredited CPD event for members of the Financial Planning Institute (FPi).

The Centre for Financial Planning Law has a close working relationship with FISA. Its Director, Advocate Wessel Oosthuizen, has assisted in the design of a high-level fiduciary examination which will be piloted through the University of the Free State later this year. Successful candidates will be entitled to use the designation Fiduciary Practitioner SA (FPSA).

Van Vuren said the FPSA examination is a “board exam to ensure only individuals with the necessary level of knowledge and skill and whose behaviour aligns with the ethical standards of FISA are awarded the designation.”