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Home > Testimonials > Rudy Soobaroyen
I feel very confident of my abilities, particularly in academic research, risk management, banking and regulation within the Australian framework. I am very eager to apply my newly-acquired knowledge in the workplace.
What made you choose Kaplan Professional over other providers?
Kaplan Professional is highly-regarded within the industry. What drew me to Kaplan Professional was the fact that their [applied finance] postgraduate programs are renowned for their focus on applying complex theoretical concepts in today’s modern world. The contemporary education model adopted by Kaplan Professional is unique and offers pathways for a growth mindset. The institution offers a pragmatic alternative to postgraduate studies, as opposed to some of the other universities and higher education providers.
You’ve completed a lot of qualifications and hold many designations. Why did you choose to study the Master of Applied Finance?
A masters degree was actually the missing piece in my list of qualifications. I was particularly inspired to enrol in the Master of Applied Finance following the birth of my daughter in April 2022, and I was very motivated to achieve a master degree in Australia.
Having completed the CPA Program and CFA® Program respectively in 2011 and 2016, I felt I was adequately equipped to do well in the professional world. However, I have always wanted to complete a masters degree in finance to further progress my career. My passion for economics and finance has also been the motivating source. Kaplan Professional’s Master of Applied Finance has offered me the academic background I needed at postgraduate level. I was particularly attracted to the degree’s focus on the Australian regulatory, banking sector and financial services.
My mum has worked in the banking sector for 39 years. Kaplan Professional’s Master of Applied Finance represented a stepping-stone for shaping up my career in a similar fashion.
The course and subjects I chose have led to advanced knowledge in contemporary finance issues and applied risk management. I also have aspirations to potentially undertake the PhD pathway and coordinate further research in finance and economics.
Describe your study experience – what were your favourite aspects and what did you benefit most from?
I was particularly challenged by my abilities to multi-task and achieve various strategic objectives within limited time. Being a father of three very young children and working full-time, I had very limited time available for studies. Hence, every moment of free time was an opportunity for me to study and work on my assignments and projects. I remember spending hours on the public transport system, reading through the study materials. Whenever I would be somewhere waiting, I would have my notes handy and go through them.
The greatest benefit of the Master of Applied Finance was definitely the flexibility it offered in terms of guided weekly preparation. I could effectively organise my study time outside my busy working and family hours. I was also able to flexibly work through and complete my assignments and projects by the submission deadline.
The ability to enrol across six study periods was also another feature that I particularly enjoyed. I actually used it to my advantage by working hard at completing my units and assignments early.
I particularly enjoyed the drop-in sessions, which represented opportunities to engage directly with the lecturer on difficult topics or areas of the subject.
The student support, particularly the Student Experience and Course Advice teams, was of significant benefit to me throughout my study journey with Kaplan Professional.
Has what you learned in the Master of Applied Finance helped you throughout your career?
I’m confident it will help me to be more marketable and also grow my network. Having an Australian masters degree in applied finance together with my ACCA, CPA and CFA® will definitely give me a very competitive edge. I believe it will also open up new doors for both academic and professional success.
What would be your advice to other students who are thinking of studying the Master of Applied Finance?
I would encourage students to start early – Kaplan Professional offers the unique flexibility to get familiar with a subject and its content between two and four weeks before the actual official start date of the study period.
It is also important to be very diligent and disciplined on covering every material within each subject. This provides an exciting learning experience and unique opportunity to grow professionally.
More importantly, I would encourage students to have fun and make the most of their learning experience by regularly navigating across the subject materials and KapLearn platform. Kaplan Professional is an institution that has its footprints everywhere around the world – I have been already able to connect with alumni from different parts of the world.
How do you feel now that you’ve completed the degree?
I feel very confident of my abilities, particularly in academic research, risk management, banking and regulation within the Australian framework. I felt particularly overjoyed when I found out that I completed the Master of Applied Finance with an overall distinction. This was a great achievement for me but I, more importantly, dedicate this success to my loved ones without whom I would not have achieved any of this. I am very eager to apply my newly-acquired knowledge in the workplace. Interestingly, I feel that my professional and academic writing skills have significantly improved.
Kaplan Professional is offering education update presentations for advice firms – available online or in person – designed to help advisers navigate the evolving professional landscape.
The financial advice profession is rarely a straight path. Increasing regulation, rising client expectations, technological change and higher professional standards mean advisers must continually adapt to remain relevant and competitive.
This presentation maps the full career lifecycle of an adviser – from entry into the profession through to specialisation, leadership and long-term sustainability. At each stage, we explore the capabilities required, the common challenges advisers face, and the role education plays not just as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic enabler of professional growth.
• Education pathways from entry to senior leadership
• How capability requirements evolve across career stages
• The shift from minimum standards to advanced technical and strategic expertise
• The role of ongoing education in building resilience, sound judgement and sustainable careers
Designed for adviser teams and leadership groups, this presentation provides practical insights into how structured learning supports long-term performance, professionalism and business sustainability.
To book an education update session for your advisers please contact your Corporate Relationship Manager to arrange a suitable time.
Date: Wednesday, 11 March
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm AEDT
Fee: $280
Where: Online (Zoom)
Host: Matthew Farley
A certificate of attendance outlining CPD hours will be awarded at the conclusion of this workshop. A full list of topics is available on our website.
Date: Thursday, 19 March
Time: 1:00pm – 3:30pm AEDT
Fee: $340
Host: Dr Jenny Diggle
Kaplan Professional has expanded the Financial Adviser Accelerator Suite with a new set of practical topics designed to further strengthen capability across both technical and client engagement areas.
As client expectations continue to rise and advice scenarios become more complex, early career advisers must combine sound technical knowledge with strong communication skills and thoughtful decision-making. The latest additions to the suite support this ongoing professional development.
Practical frameworks to enhance credibility, strengthen adviser presence and build more meaningful, long-term client relationships.
Structured approaches to assessing appropriate cover, modelling client scenarios and supporting well-reasoned, client-centred risk advice.
Applying probability-based thinking to improve strategic judgement and support more confident decision-making in uncertain environments.
These additions build on the Financial Adviser Accelerator Suite focus on applied, real-world learning, equipping advisers with skills that can be immediately implemented in practice.
The ongoing expansion of the Financial Adviser Accelerator Suite reflects Kaplan Professional’s commitment to supporting advisers as they continue to develop deeper expertise and deliver high-quality, client-focused advice.
For advisers who have now met the education standard, the focus shifts from compliance to opportunity.
Kaplan Professional offers clear pathways to build on the bridging courses and subjects already completed and convert that study into a full, recognised qualification. Advisers who have completed individual units toward the education standard may be eligible to articulate into the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning or Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, formalising their academic achievement and strengthening their professional standing.
From there, eligible Graduate Diploma alumni can upgrade to the Master of Financial Planning, completing the remaining subjects to attain a postgraduate qualification that positions them above the minimum regulatory requirement. The Master’s program also provides direct pathways toward leading professional designations, including CFP® and SSA®, enabling advisers to align academic progression with industry-recognised credentials.
Advisers who have completed the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning are already eligible to obtain leading professional designations through the College for Financial Planning®. This includes globally-recognised credentials such as the Accredited Behavioural Finance ProfessionalSM (ABFP®) and Chartered Retirement Planning CounsellorSM (CRPC®) designation.
No further study is required to meet the education component for these certifications, allowing advisers to leverage their existing qualification to secure respected professional recognition and further strengthen their standing in the industry.
Beyond core qualifications, Kaplan Professional also offers access to additional specialist electives and professional designation pathways, allowing advisers to differentiate in areas such as superannuation, retirement, ethics and client strategy.
In short, completing the education standard doesn’t have to be the end point. With Kaplan Professional, it can be the foundation for higher qualifications, respected designations and long-term career progression.
Contact your Corporate Relationship Manager to discuss the education options and pathways for your adviser network. Alternatively, contact 1300 135 798 (option 2) or email courseadvice@kaplan.edu.au.
Kaplan Professional will host a special Women in Finance webinar on Tuesday, 3 March, celebrating the achievements, leadership and career journeys of women shaping the financial services industry.
The session will explore leadership, career progression and the role education has played in supporting professional success across diverse areas of the sector.
Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning dux, two-time Olympian and Financial Adviser at HLB Mann Judd.
Graduate Diploma graduate, business owner and founder of a caregiving training institute in Bangladesh, with more than 20 years’ industry experience.
Master of Applied Finance graduate and Director at BDO Sydney, specialising in governance, risk and assurance across financial services.
Date: Tuesday, 3 March
Time: 1:30pm AEDT
Location: Online (Zoom)
The webinar will include practical leadership insights, reflections on career growth, discussion on the impact of education in finance, and an interactive Q&A session.
Now
9 March
25 March
29 May
Kaplan Professional is offering eligible Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning alumni a limited-time opportunity to upgrade to the Master of Financial Planning at a fixed alumni price of $5,000.
This exclusive offer enables alumni to complete their remaining four subjects – two core subjects (FPC009 Complex Financial Planning and KAP001 Capstone Project) and two electives – at a substantially reduced cost compared to standard postgraduate tuition fees.
To access the offer, eligible alumni must enrol and commence their first subject by the Study Period 2 census date, 25 March 2026.
Upgrading to the Master’s degree provides advisers with the opportunity to deepen technical expertise, broaden strategic capability and position themselves strongly as professional standards across the industry continue to rise. The program also supports progression toward additional professional designations.
Full details, including subject structure, study plans and application steps, are available below.