Career FAQs
Career opportunities
Find the answers to your questions about your career
opportunities with STEP.
Training outside of the UK
Find the answers to your questions about training for STEP
qualifications outside of the UK.
Membership
Find the answers to your key questions about membership of
STEP.
Entry requirements
Find the answers to your key questions about entry
requirements.
Employers section
Find out how STEP can benefit your business.
Career opportunities
Find the answers to your questions about your career
opportunities with STEP.
1. Why
do I need a STEP qualification?
A STEP qualification is an academic and professional
qualification recognised by the industry. STEP Foundation Certificates provide
enhanced knowledge for practitioners and allow those who complete
them to either become affiliates of STEP
or go on to study the STEP Diploma, which
leads to full STEP membership. A person who passes the STEP
Diploma, and who has two years' experience of working in the trust
and estate field, may be admitted to full membership of STEP, which
provides enhanced career opportunities.
Full members are entitled to use the letters TEP (Trust and Estate
Practitioner) after their name and are the most experienced and
senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates. Many
jurisdictions now require or encourage STEP membership.
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2. At what stage in my career should I take the
exams?
You can either begin by studying a STEP
Certificate, a STEP Diploma, or
become a full member through the Qualified
Practitioner (QP) route, depending on your level of experience
and qualifications.
STEP Certificates are targeted
towards those with little or no experience of trusts and estates
and is an introduction to trusts and estates for those who do not
have sufficient knowledge to study the Diploma. There are a number
of Certificates available, in some cases tailored to the
jurisdiction.
The STEP Certificate for Financial
Services (Trusts and Estate Planning) is designed to enable
those in the financial services industry to work more effectively
with private client professionals. It is the only trust and estate
planning qualification to address the common ground between
solicitors and those working in the financial services sector.
The STEP Diploma is suitable for
candidates who have a greater understanding of trusts and/or
estates. There are a number of STEP Diplomas available, in some
cases tailored to the jurisdiction.
The STEP Diploma for England & Wales
(Accountants and Tax Practitioners) is a high-level, intensive
course of study for accounting and tax specialists who have more
than seven years post-qualification experience, focusing on the
legal principles and practices underlying the administration of
trusts and estates. This Diploma provides an accelerated route to
full membership of STEP.
The Qualified Practitioner route is
available for trust and estate practitioners who have established
themselves in the field. Once students have passed all three
papers, they can then become full STEP members.
For full entry requirements go to Question
15
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3. How long will I be studying?
STEP Foundation Certificate
On average the Foundation Certificate takes 4-6 months to
complete.
STEP Certificate for Financial Services
(Trusts and Estate Planning)
This Certificate will take four months to complete.
STEP Diploma
Candidates have up to four years to complete the Diploma. On
average it takes approximately 2 years to complete, depending on
which regional Diploma you are studying. Click here for the list of regional Diplomas.
STEP Diploma for England & Wales
(Accountants and Tax Practitioners)
This programme is
intensive in nature and will be completed within four months.
Qualified Practitioner
Candidates need to submit three papers of 2,500 to 3,000 words in
length, within a four year period.
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4. What are my long-term career prospects?
Full STEP membership entitles you to use the letters TEP (Trust
and Estate Practitioner) after your name. This will enhance your
professional credentials, as members of STEP are the most
experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and
estates and are recognised as the experts to whom others turn for
good quality advice.
The TEP designation and specialist qualifications also offer
market advantage, transferable experience, and a salary
premium.
Affiliates of STEP benefit from association with STEP,
subscription to the STEP
Journal, networking opportunities at local, national and
international STEP events, online technical resources and much more.
The fact that you have completed a STEP
qualification shows a knowledge and understanding of trusts and
estates that will be converted into a practical, applied
competence.
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5. Will I have flexibility in my career?
Yes, the qualifications cover a number of different topics in
the modules set, which allow you to have a more rounded
understanding of the field of trusts and estates.
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6. Which areas can I specialise in?
STEP members specialise in many areas, including:
- Charities - Formation & Administration Company
Formations
- Company Management
- Compliance
- Contentious Trusts
- Estate Administration & Accounting
- Estate Planning
- Executorship & Probate
- Family Office Administration
- Foundations
- Insurance
- Investments
- Mediation
- Mental Capacity Issues
- Philanthropy
- Probate
- Rural Family & Business Administration
- Tax Investigations
- Tax Planning
- Trust Accounting
- Trust Administration
- Trust Formation
- Will Writing
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Training outside of the UK
Find the answers to your questions about training for STEP
qualifications outside of the UK.
7. Which countries
recognise STEP qualifications?
The STEP Diploma is recognised globally and there are a number
of regional Certificates and Diplomas
tailored to various jurisdictions.
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8. Which countries offer STEP training opportunities?
STEP qualifications are offered in the following areas around
the globe:
| Antigua |
Gibraltar |
Miami |
| Bahamas |
Guernsey |
Monaco |
| Bermuda |
Hong Kong |
Panama |
| British Virgin Islands |
Ireland |
Scotland |
| Canada |
Isle of Man |
Singapore |
| Cayman Islands |
Jersey |
Turks and Caicos |
| Dubai |
Liechtenstein |
Wales |
| England |
Malta |
Zurich |
| Geneva |
Mauritius |
|
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9. I have another professional qualification; can I
claim exemptions from STEP programmes?
If you wish to study the STEP Foundation
Certificate and Diploma in International Trust Management and
you hold a degree or degree level qualification or can demonstrate
significant and relevant knowledge and experience, you may be
entitled to exemption from the Foundation Certificate. Where the
degree or similar qualification is not cognate and no or limited
experience of the profession has been gained, you will be strongly
advised to sit the Foundation Certificate.
There are a maximum of two possible exemptions from the four
papers that make up the STEP Diploma.
Please contact our course providers CLT for more details: cltstep_registrar@centlaw.com
For students in Canada and Ireland, please contact your local course
provider.
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10.
Do I need to have a University degree?
No. Candidates can sit a STEP Certificate as an introduction if they have no
prior knowledge or experience. The Diploma programmes do not require a University
Degree, only an understanding of the subject areas.
However, the QP route to membership
requires applicants to hold either a Vocational Degree or a
Professional Qualification or have extensive work experience and
the STEP Diploma for England & Wales
(Accountants and Tax Practitioners) requires candidates to hold
an existing, relevant, professional qualification in accountancy or
tax. See Question 15
for further details.
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Membership
Find the answers to your key questions about membership of
STEP.
11.
What support will I get after I qualify?
STEP provides members with a local, national and international
learning and business network, education, training, representation
and networking.
The STEP Branch Network is one of the keys to STEPs success as
they are responsible for their own educational and social
activities and many branches organise annual conferences and
seminars. Click here to find your local
branch.
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12. When do
I become a member of STEP?
You become a student member as soon as you begin studying a STEP
Certificate, Diploma or QP papers.
You can them upgrade to full STEP membership when you have either
completed the QP papers or passed the
Diploma and have two years experience. If
you complete the Diploma but do not have
two years experience, you can become an associate member.
On completion of any of the STEP
Certificates, you can either progress to study the Diploma or become an affiliate of STEP. Affiliates of STEP receive
all the benefits associated with full STEP membership, other than
the right to use the designation TEP, vote at general or branch
meetings or stand for election at Council.
Those students who study the STEP Diploma
for England & Wales (Accountants and Tax Practitioners)
will immediately become a full STEP member on successful completion
of the qualification.
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13.
What opportunities for professional development are
there?
It is compulsory for STEP members to continue their professional
development in order to ensure that they maintain a high standard
of professional practice and so protect the interests of their
clients and the Society. In order to help maintain this high
standard, the Society has comprehensive education schemes for
members. Click here to learn more about
continuing professional development (CPD).
STEP also offers various conferences and
events which provide structured training.
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14. What are the member benefits and
services?
Member services include:
For further details on all the services provided download our
Member Services Brochure.
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Entry requirements
Find the answers to your key questions about entry
requirements.
15.
What are the minimum entry requirements?
STEP Certificate for Financial Services
(Trusts and Estate Planning)
This is an open-entry
Certificate, but it is recommended that applicants should have some
experience or have undertaken some study of the core areas covered
in the Certificate, namely trusts, tax and estate planning.
STEP Foundation Certificate on Trusts for
Civil Law Practitioners
The Foundation Certificate is an open entry programme. No prior
knowledge or experience within trusts is required.
STEP Foundation Certificate and Diploma
International Trust Management
Admission to the Diploma programme is normally dependent on having
achieved the Foundation Certificate. No formal educational
qualifications are required to study the Foundation Certificate,
only a good standard of basic literacy.
STEP Foundation Certificate for England
& Wales (Trusts and Estates)
No formal educational qualifications are required. The applicant
may have been away from formal education for some time. However, a
good standard of basic literacy is required.
STEP Diploma for England & Wales
(Trusts and Estates)
There are no formal entry requirements for the Diploma for England
& Wales; however it is recommended that students should have
studied up to A level or equivalent standard or have successfully
completed the STEP Foundation Certificate and should have a basic
understanding of the Diploma core areas.
STEP Diploma for England & Wales
(Trusts and Estates) for Accountants and Tax
Practitioners
In order to apply for the programme you will need to:
- Demonstrate a minimum of seven years’ post-qualification
experience in the private client field with some direct exposure to
trusts and/or estates work
- Hold an existing, relevant, professional qualification in
accountancy or tax
- Provide details of two individuals who will give references for
your professional work
STEP Diploma for Canada
There are no formal entry requirements. However, it is recommended
that you have a basic understanding of the Diploma modules and work
or aspire to work in the trusts and estates industry.
STEP Diploma for Ireland
This course is intended for persons who have worked in the
areas of wills, trusts, estate planning, probate and administration
of estates within Ireland.
STEP Diploma for Scotland
It is
recommended that candidates undertaking the Diploma for Scotland
should have studied up to SQA Higher level or equivalent
standard.
Qualified Practitioner
The STEP Qualified Practitioner Route (QP) is available for trust
and estate practitioners who have established themselves in the
field. Applicants join as a Student member of STEP and must have
one of the following:
- A recognised professional qualification and two years
post-qualification relevant work experience
- A vocational degree and five years relevant work
experience
- Ten years relevant industry experience (no degree
required)
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16. Can I train straight after A-levels?
Yes, you can study a STEP Certificate
without needing a degree, professional qualification or work
experience.
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Employers section
17.
What are the benefits of employing STEP students and
members?
There are many benefits to employing a STEP student or member,
including:
- A STEP qualification is an academic and professional
qualification recognised by the industry.
- Full members of STEP are the most experienced and senior
practitioners in the field of trusts and estates.
- STEP student members' knowledge and understanding will be
converted into a practical, applied competence.
- STEP requires all members to complete 15 structured CPD hours
per year. Therefore, employing a STEP member ensures you are
employing a person who is constantly updating their skills and
knowledge.
- Not everybody can become a STEP member - candidates have to
either complete a STEP qualification or prove their knowledge and
experience before they will be accepted into the society.
Therefore, members of STEP are the most experienced and senior
practitioners in the field of trusts and estates.
- The TEP qualification gives client's confidence and peace of
mind that the practitioner has reached the exacting standards
required.
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18. Will studying a STEP Qualification affect my employee's
performance?
STEP qualifications are part-time and predominantly distance
learning; therefore they have a minimal effect on the student's
working life. However, the student will be more knowledgeable and
will be constantly gaining a greater understanding of trusts and
estates whilst completing the course.
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19. How do I find a STEP member and qualified
practitioner?
Go to www.step.org/findapractitioner
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