The Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa (FISA) is the only professional body focusing solely on fiduciary practitioners in Southern Africa.
FISA is a non-profit organisation with individual fiduciary practitioner members. It sets high minimum standards for the profession and provides consumer education on fiduciary matters.
FISA members come from trust companies and banks, as well as the legal, accounting and financial planning professions.
What do FISA members do?
FISA members do estate planning, draft wills, administer trusts, deceased estates, and beneficiary funds, and administer client assets.
FISA members collectively manage several hundred billion Rands. They draft several thousand Wills each year and administer around 50 percent of deceased estates reported to the Office of the Master of the High Court.
FISA helps to smooth processes for members and the public, through its good working relationship with the Master’s Office and the SARS.
Read our 1-page leaflet:
FISA Governance
FISA has several codes to which its members are required to adhere. Please click on these links to read our constitution, code of Ethics and disciplinary regulations.
Structure
FISA is governed by a 10-person Council. There are seven special purpose committees comprising experts in the areas of trusts, estates, compliance, tax, education and training, employee-benefit trusts and beneficiary funds.
FISA also has local boards in areas where there is sufficient practitioner representation. This facilitates cooperation at a regional level between members and bodies such as SARS and the Master’s Office.
Help Desk
Wills
Exploring wills and legal considerations
Impaired capacity
Processes for impaired capacity
Deceased estates
Managing deceased estates explained
Trusts
Fiduciary duty in trust management
Estate planning
Factors to consider in estate planning
Beneficiary funds
Understanding beneficiary funds
About
FPSA®
FPSA® standard in fiduciary practitioners
Council
Meet our FISA council members representing 6 regions
Chairpersons award
Annual award for fiduciary excellence
Events
Conference
FISA’s annual conference highlights
AGM
Annual general meeting for FISA members
Regional meetings
Catch up on regional meeeting minutes and presentations
Supporters
Our supporters
Advertisers
Our advertising partners
FISA FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers about the Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa
FISA is a professional institute that aims to promote the fiduciary profession, uphold high standards of conduct for fiduciary practitioners to the benefit of their clients, and provide a framework for members to achieve and maintain competence in the fiduciary field.
FISA objectives include promoting the fiduciary profession to the benefit of its members and their clients, ensuring high standards through professional development and ethical requirements, and educating the public about the importance of fiduciary planning.
FISA’s membership includes a diverse range of professionals in the fiduciary industry, such as trust company managers, wills consultants, estate planners, financial planners, attorneys, and accountants. Additionally, members come from various backgrounds but share a commitment to the fiduciary profession.
FISA offers the FPSA® (Fiduciary Practitioner of South Africa) designation, which is a mark of excellent professional knowledge and standards in the fiduciary industry. Achieving FPSA® status requires specific educational and practical experience qualifications.
FISA requires its members to engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities. This includes attending workshops, seminars, and conferences, participating in formal studies, and engaging with technical materials. The aim is to ensure members stay updated with industry standards and practices.
The annual FISA conference is a key event for fiduciary professionals, providing a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. For example, it features presentations from both academics and practitioners, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of fiduciary matters.
FISA enforces a strict Code of Ethics for its members, ensuring that they adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards in their practice. This commitment to ethics safeguards the interests of clients and maintains the integrity of the fiduciary profession.
Looking for fiduciary advice?
Search our member directory to find a fiduciary professional in your area.