How would my invitation to join CISI be determined?

Over the coming weeks, FINSIA and CISI will undertake a process to confirm the membership level that will be offered to each individual member of FINSIA. Key considerations forming part of this process will include experience, qualifications, CPD, and current membership standing. Each FINSIA member will be asked to confirm important personal information including contact details, current role, experience, CPD, and other details, in order to allow an invitation to join CISI to be provided in November 2025.

When would I join CISI – what is the proposed timeline of key events?

It is proposed that the transition of FINSIA members to CISI will occur in late November 2025. Communications from FINSIA will continue to be shared with members during the period leading up to the transition time November 2025.

Do I need to renew my membership with FINSIA if it is due to expire between now and the end of 2025?

Yes, you do. Only FINSIA members who hold a current and fully-paid membership at 30 September 2025 will be invited to join CISI in November. The invitation to join CISI is an exclusive and seamless pathway available only to current and fully-paid FINSIA members.

What happens to membership fees I have already paid?

In order to access this exclusive and seamless pathway into membership with CISI, FINSIA members must have current and fully-paid annual membership with FINSIA at 30 September 2025.

Members who meet this requirement will receive a one-off membership credit period with CISI, extending through to 1 December 2026. This means no additional CISI membership fees will be payable until that date.

What if I’m a member under monthly instalments?

Members who are under monthly instalment arrangements will be required to pay their annual membership balance by 30 September 2025 to ensure they are financially up to date as of 30 September and will transition smoothly to CISI. Members can access and pay the remaining balance on their membership invoice online through the membership portal or may contact Member Services to make payment for any outstanding balance. 

When will I have to renew my membership with CISI?

FINSIA members transitioning to CISI will receive an extended membership credit period, meaning they will not need to renew their CISI membership until 1 December 2026.

What happens to my FINSIA post-nominals?

FINSIA members will be entitled to begin using their new post-nominals with CISI once they join CISI in November 2025. The table below sets out the membership levels and post-nominals associated with each membership level of CISI.

FINSIA members will continue to be able to use their existing FINSIA post-nominals for a maximum period of two years after the date of joining CISI. CISI will also incorporate content onto their website to articulate the history and heritage of FINSIA as a professional body in Australia and New Zealand and explain the different post-nominals and their meaning to those who might be unfamiliar with that context.

What will happen to Life Members of FINSIA? What is the translation to CISI? 

FINSIA members who have been granted the exclusive ‘life member’ status in recognition of their contribution to FINSIA and the profession will be recognised as CISI ‘life members’ as part of this Strategic Alliance.

Whilst I understand the fees are generally going down, based on my reading, the fee for retired members is going up, what can be done about that? 

Over recent weeks FINSIA and CISI have been able to agree on transitional arrangements to recognise that the current FINSIA fee levels for retired members is lower than the equivalent fee levels with CISI.

At the start of the next membership renewal period with CISI, which will be 1 December 2026 for transitioning FINSIA members, retired members will be provided with a one-off 50 percent discount on the CISI concessional membership rate. This discounted rate will help to smooth the difference in fees for members, and when added to the membership fee credit period described above, represents a significant overall discount to recognise the important role that retired members play in the broader profession.

Are there any special arrangements for those who are already CISI members, who already have a paid-up CISI membership for the current year?

As part of the transition process with CISI, FINSIA members who are already members of CISI will be asked to contact CISI so that specific arrangements can be put in place to recognise the current standing and membership cycle as between FINSIA and CISI. CISI will seek to ensure a reasonable and equitable outcome for current dual members in a manner that’s consistent with FINSIA members transitioning to CISI.

I’m a FINSIA Member and currently pay a designation fee to FINSIA on top of my annual membership fee, in order to maintain my Chartered Banker post-nominals. What will I need to do after the transition to CISI?

The Chartered Banker Institute (CBI) is aware of the FINSIA-CISI Alliance and have confirmed that they will contact you directly to advise the steps you will need to take to become a member of CBI in order to maintain your valued Chartered Banker post-nominals.

What do you need to do?

If your membership renewal and your Chartered Banker designation fee were due before 30 September 2025 and you have not yet paid your renewal, please ensure payment is made directly to FINSIA. You can renew now by logging in to the member portal or calling us on 1300 346 742 within Australia, or +64 09 887 7337 if you are in New Zealand. This is essential to maintain your Chartered status with CBI and ensure a smooth transition of your FINSIA membership to CISI.

If your membership is due after 30 September 2025, you do not need to pay your membership or designation fee to FINSIA. Your FINSIA membership will seamlessly transfer to CISI, and you will continue to enjoy all the benefits of CISI membership, including a membership credit period until 1 December 2026. To continue holding your Chartered Banker status, you will need to reach out to the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI) to arrange membership with CBI directly. This will allow for uninterrupted recognition of your ‘Chartered’ status with CBI.

Contact CBI: CBI have advised that they will contact you in the next few weeks to share further information with you. Alternatively, you are welcome to email CBI directly at [email protected].

Will our current CPD hours be transitioned across to CISI?

FINSIA will ensure that all relevant member data, including information relating to CPD hours completed, is shared with CISI at the time of transition in November 2025. FINSIA members will also be asked to confirm that they have complied with FINSIA’s CPD policy over the last few years, as part of a process of confirming a range of personal details with each member, prior to the transition of data to CISI.

As an organisation constituted by Royal Charter, CISI is deeply committed to ensuring that members are able to meet ongoing CPD obligations through their own learning programs, as well as other third-party programs.

Below is a table with some details about the similarities between CISI and FINSIA’s CPD Policies.

Click here to view the full image. 

What happens if I am currently undertaking a course of study with FINSIA?

FINSIA is committed to supporting members and learners who are progressing with studies towards the awarding of a credential through FINSIA.

Proceeding with the transition to CISI means that FINSIA is now putting place specific arrangements to continue to provide support to learners who may be mid-way through their course of study – whether through a FINSIA, CISI or Chartered Banker Institute program.

Details of transitional arrangements for individual learners continues to be developed and is being shared with learners over the period ahead. If you have not received information from FINSIA in relation to transitional arrangements, please contact us at [email protected].

What support will be available to members in the period leading up to joining CISI?

Representatives from FINSIA and CISI will be available to answer individual questions in relation to the changes to membership during the period in the lead-up to joining CISI in November 2025.

More details about those contact points, and the operational steps associated with joining CISI, will be shared with members through communications from FINSIA and CISI over the coming days and weeks.

Will there be Advisory Councils for the region?

CISI will form a new Australia and New Zealand Advisory Council to provide strategic input and advice to the CISI CEO, Executive Team, and CISI Board on matters relevant to members in the Australasia region.

A proposed Terms of Reference for the new Advisory Council has been developed, and over coming weeks more information will be provided to FINSIA members about the formation of the new structure.

In addition, CISI is committed to maintaining a broad framework for ongoing engagement with members in Australia and New Zealand through continuation of FINSIA’s current Regional and Industry Council structure.

Who would be our member contact going forward?

CISI will form a National Advisory Council for Australia and New Zealand to provide strategic input and advice to the CEO and Executive Team on matters relevant to members in the Australasia region. More details about the National Advisory Council structure will be developed by FINSIA and CISI in the period ahead.

Additionally, CISI will have resources in their team who will serve as a first point of contact for members in Australia and New Zealand who would like to discuss specific membership matters or to provide feedback.

How will members access CISI services given headquarters are in the UK?

Members will be supported through a mix of online channels and local in-person support via CISI staff who will be based in the local market. It is anticipated that those staff will be in place around the time of the member transition in November 2025.

In addition, the new Australia and New Zealand Advisory Council and existing Regional and Industry Councils will be able to engage and support members in the region through a variety of engagement channels.

CISI’s global presence means they are experienced in assisting members across time zones, and they will tailor events and programs to be relevant for the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Would CISI have a presence in Australia or New Zealand?

CISI has several offices in a range of markets around the world, beyond its UK Head Office.

CISI has committed to engaging staff in the local market to support members and to be a visible presence for CISI in Australia and New Zealand.

With the support of members in this region, CISI will hold a broad range of in-person knowledge-focussed events in the local market in order to provide an opportunity for members to come together and build connections across the profession.

Will CISI events, like knowledge webinars, be run in our local time zones?

It is CISI’s intention to be able to offer webinars and other knowledge programs to members in different time zones given CISI’s membership community is present in more than 100 markets around the world.

At the moment, FINSIA’s experience is that members enjoy the ability to participate in online events in real time, and they also deeply value the opportunity to view and download webinars and other knowledge programs online at a later time when it suits their individual schedule.

Will there still be face-to-face events and networking opportunities, or will everything be online?

Yes, in-person events and networking opportunities will continue across Australia and New Zealand. CISI will build on FINSIA’s experience with these events, supported by the new Advisory Council, and the existing Regional and Industry Councils. Online events will also remain an important part of member engagement and knowledge sharing.

This may be included in FAQ documents on our website, ultimately pointing back to our Privacy Policy. 

Why is my data being transferred to CISI? 

Your membership is transitioning from FINSIA to the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) in the United Kingdom. To ensure that CISI, FINSIA will transfer relevant member information (such as contact details, membership history, and CPD records) to CISI. 

For Australian Members (APP 8 – Privacy Act 1988) 

How is my privacy protected under Australian law? 

Under Australian Privacy Principle (APP) 8.1, FINSIA must take “reasonable steps” before sending your information overseas. We have: 

• Reviewed CISI’s privacy and security practices. 

• Signed a Data Sharing Agreement limiting how your information can be used. 

• Confirmed that CISI’s systems use strong safeguards (e.g., encryption, access controls, breach notification). 

CISI is bound by the UK GDPR, which provides equivalent protections. This means: 

• Your privacy rights are maintained. 

• You have enforceable redress in the UK through the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). 

Who can I complain to? 

• Before FINSIA winds down: You can complain directly to FINSIA. 

• After transition: You can raise issues with CISI’s Data Protection Officer or the UK ICO. 

• At any time: You may also lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). 

For New Zealand Members (IPP 12 – Privacy Act 2020) 

How is my privacy protected under New Zealand law? 

Under Information Privacy Principle (IPP) 12, FINSIA must ensure your information remains protected when disclosed overseas. We have: 

• Confirmed CISI is regulated under the UK GDPR, which offers comparable safeguards to the NZ Privacy Act. 

• Executed a Data Sharing Agreement to control how your information is stored, used, and protected. 

What rights do I keep under the NZ Privacy Act? 

You retain the right to: 

• Access and correct your personal information. 

• Request deletion of your information in certain circumstances. 

• Complain if you believe your information has been mishandled. 

Who can I complain to? 

• Before FINSIA winds down: You can raise concerns directly with us. 

• After transition: You can complain to CISI’s Data Protection Officer or the UK ICO. 

• At any time: You may also complain to the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner. 

Whether you are based in Australia or New Zealand, your privacy will continue to be protected once your data is transferred to CISI. Both the APPs (Australia) and IPP 12 (NZ) recognise that the UK GDPR provides protections substantially similar to local law, ensuring you retain access, correction, deletion, and complaint rights. 

Please see our updated Privacy Policy | FINSIA or contact our Privacy Officer at [email protected]. 

You can also access the CISI Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy 

It is part way though the CPD year, am I expected to have completed all of the CPD requirement by 10 October 2025?

As the transition date occurs prior to year end, CISI has indicated their understanding that FINSIA members will not have had sufficient time to complete their FINSIA CPD requirement for 2025.

As a result, all FINSIA Members who opt-in to the transition to CISI by declaring their CPD and updating their personal records will be considered by CISI to have completed the 2025 CPD year with FINSIA.

I partially completed my CPD requirement in some of my previous years with FINSIA, how do I record that on my CPD declaration form?

We request that you email our Education Team at [email protected] and provide them with information on the CPD you have completed for the incomplete CPD year so that they can determine whether the CPD you have undertaken is sufficient for you to be able to confirm that CPD year as complete.

Why am I being asked to make a CPD declaration?

There are two key reasons why you are being asked to declare your CPD:

• CISI are seeking confirmation from FINSIA members that they share the same commitment to their continuing professional development as is required for CISI Members.

• CISI will also use this data for all FINSIA Members who may seek to progress to a Chartered Member status in the future.
  
  

Will I also need to also log my CPD activity on the FINSIA member portal by 10 October 2025?

It is important for you to maintain your own CPD records.

Your CPD self-declaration process is the information that will be provided to CISI as part of the Member Transition process, covering the years 2021 to 2024. All Members who opt-in to the transition to CISI by declaring their CPD and updating their personal records will be considered by CISI to have completed the 2025 CPD year with FINSIA.

How do I download my CPD?

When you log-in and access your profile page, click on the CPD tab and you will see the option to “export” on the right-hand side of the screen.

You will be able to download your CPD records.

How do I become a Chartered Member?

Information on the pathway to chartered member status is available in the FAQs on FINSIA’s website.

What is IntegrityMatters?

IntegrityMatters is an online integrity test designed to highlight dilemmas practitioners may face at work. This unique elearning tool developed by the CISI highlights the importance of integrity and enables users to test their ability to make ethical decisions in the workplace. IntegrityMatters consists of a workshop and test designed to make users aware of the need to act with integrity when making decisions in the workplace.

What format does it take?

There are six separate case studies or dilemmas to work through. In each case study, how the scenario will develop depends on how you answered the previous question. In some cases, depending upon your response, the answer will end after a few questions, while in others it may take much longer. Each case study enables you to score between 0 and 4 marks.

Is completing IntegrityMatters an annual requirement?

No, it is currently a one-off requirement on joining the CISI. However, Members are encouraged to take IntegrityMatters at least once every five years.

Do all members have to complete IntegrityMatters?

Yes, all members from Affiliate upwards need to complete IntegrityMatters to activate their membership.

How long does it take to complete IntegrityMatters?

The workshop and the test are likely to take between 45 and 60 minutes in total but do not have to be undertaken at the same time.

What happens if I fail IntegrityMatters, do I need to pay for the second attempt?

There is no charge for members to retake the test and there is no limit on unsuccessful attempts.

Original

Please see table below identifying the pathway to CISI Chartered Membership status depending on your initial CISI membership category.

Notes

FINSIA Members who already a chartered accountant with an organisation such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia can join the CISI as an Associate (ACSI), or Member (MCSI) if they have three years of industry experience. They can then progress to become a Chartered Member (Chartered MCSI) by following the pathway outlined above. This would also apply to individuals who hold the Chartered Banker designation with the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI).

For FINSIA members, their CISI membership grade will be based on their FINSIA membership level. All Fellows (FCSI) and Members (MCSI) must complete one year of CPD with CISI in order to become eligible for Chartered Membership (Chartered MCSI). Having additional qualifications, or charterships such as being a chartered accountant, does not change the pathway to CISI Chartered status.

For individuals who are an Associate or Affiliate and hold extra qualifications such as being a chartered accountant, they may be able to achieve a higher membership grade and charterships more quickly than they otherwise would. Each case will be considered by CISI individually.