Sarah Wadham, director general of the EIS Association, says a lack of uptake among many advisers is due to them not knowing enough about enterprise investment schemes.
She said: “I think they feel it is very complicated and best left alone. They are being encouraged to look at EIS really by their clients who are interested in some of the tax breaks that EIS offers.
“The regulations are quite complex in terms of who is eligible to invest in EIS and how you can promote them.
“As a result of this general lack of knowledge we decided to launch a diploma on EIS investing, which gives basic background on EIS.”
In a video interview with FTAdviser’s Emma Ann Hughes, Ms Wadham reveals details of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association’s new self-study diploma.
The EIS Tolley Diploma was officially launched yesterday (18 September) and tackles tax implications and regulation, as well as the wider UK taxation and EIS funds landscape.
On average, Ms Wadham said the course, which can be studied online and at your own pace, is designed to take about 10 hours to complete.
The qualification also aims to highlight the contribution EIS investments make in helping to grow successful small-to-medium-sized companies in the UK.
