We do not do things by halves.
For more than 25 years, we have been successfully training insurance intermediaries in Switzerland. As an independent market leader and leading training partner for independent insurance intermediaries, we form the strong link to all major insurers.
We do not just teach pure knowledge; we also safeguard high quality standards across the entire sector. Our goal is to guide you in a practical way towards your federally recognised qualifications – from Insurance Intermediary VBV to Qualified Financial Adviser IAF.
More than an academy: Your strong infrastructure
For independent brokers, the power of a professional infrastructure makes all the difference. You sell and advise – we keep your back clear:
- Lecturing team from the field:
Our courses are led by experienced experts from the finance and insurance sector who pass on knowledge drawn directly from day-to-day practice. - Top customer service:
More than 200,000 clients rely on our support. Our staff handle calls in 8 languages competently, courteously and quickly. - Comprehensive services:
We reduce your administrative workload – from application checks and helpdesk services (quotation preparation) through to active quality and portfolio management.
Do you have questions about our courses or would you like personal advice? We are happy to be there for you.
Lecturer team
Our locations
We are flexibly there for you:
Classroom: Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lausanne, Lugano
Online: via Microsoft Teams
Basel
Bern
Zurich
Lausanne
Lugano
Success requires the right decisions!
We are the leading training and distribution partner of independent insurance intermediaries and their sales organisations and their link to all major insurers.
As an independent market leader with the broadest experience and a comprehensive service offering, we support our distribution partners in their daily work so that they can concentrate on optimum advice and support for their clients.
For insurers, we ensure access to our external intermediary network as well as its training and support and compliance with quality standards.
For our more than 200,000 long-standing insurance clients we are the first point of contact for all insurance questions.
Our staff in direct contact with clients meet the same training guidelines as field insurance advisers and, through competence, friendliness, responsiveness and helpfulness, contribute to our high-quality service for insurance clients, independent intermediaries and insurers.
Vision of Maklerzentrum Schweiz AG and its subsidiary MZ Consulting GmbH
In a rapidly changing market environment, we actively shape the intermediary industry of the future, using our expertise, many years of experience as market leader and innovation, so that the various internal and external sales channels provide the shared client with a positive advisory experience and a long-term relationship of trust.
We will continue to be the leading training and distribution partner of independent insurance intermediaries and their sales organisations as well as insurers in the training and support of the external intermediary network and make a substantial contribution to achieving individual sales targets and to maintaining and increasing the quality of advice.
We want to be a competent point of contact for our insurance clients at all times, supporting them with friendliness, responsiveness and helpfulness in their insurance matters.
We want to be an attractive employer for our staff in all areas and support them in their personal and professional development so that they feel comfortable in their role and working environment and contribute to a high-quality service.
Organisational structure of Maklerzentrum Schweiz AG and MZ Consulting GmbH
Board of Directors
Dr. Michael Winkler
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Sabina R. Korfmann-Bodenmann
Member of the Board of Directors
Hieronymus Dormann
Member of the Board of Directors
Executive Management
Stephan Wirz
Executive Management
Maklerzentrum Schweiz AG
Olivier Parenteau
Executive Management
Maklerzentrum Schweiz AG
Silvio Käser
Managing Director
MZ Consulting GmbH
Department Heads
Graziella D'Onghia
Head of HR Administration
Paubla Segura
Head of Sales Administration
Sascha Voegeli
Head of MZ Academy
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the training programmes
Everything you need to know about the Maklerzentrum Academy – answered in detail.
What is the difference between the VBV and IAF training programmes?
The Insurance Intermediary VBV training programme provides you with the legal fundamentals and is the mandatory proof of qualification for insurance intermediation in Switzerland. The Qualified Financial Adviser IAF training programme is a more advanced, higher qualification that deepens your expertise in advice, pensions, property and taxes.
Who are the training programmes suitable for?
The Insurance Intermediary VBV training programme is aimed at beginners, career changers and staff in sales or back office roles who want to arrange insurance in Switzerland. The Financial Adviser IAF training programme is ideal for existing insurance advisers, financial advisers, brokers and VBV graduates who want to take their advisory skills to a new level.
How is the learning model structured?
The Insurance Intermediary VBV training programme follows a modern hybrid learning model that integrates perfectly into your working day. You develop the theoretical fundamentals flexibly online via Microsoft Teams. The practice-oriented consolidation, case studies and exam preparation take place in person at our locations in Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lausanne and Lugano. The Qualified Financial Adviser IAF programme, by contrast, takes place in person.
When do the courses start and how long do they last?
The Insurance Intermediary VBV training programme starts monthly (usually in calendar week 2) and is designed to last around three months. The duration of the modular IAF training programme depends on your individual plan and usually extends over four to six months.
What costs should I expect?
- Insurance Intermediary VBV:
The course fee is CHF 150 per training day and participant in our open classes. The official VBV course materials and external examination fees are not included. - VBV Recertification:
The 4-day basic course costs CHF 750 per participant. Including the additional optional revision day, the total fee is CHF 900. The revision day can also be booked separately for CHF 150. - Certified Financial Advisor IAF:
Here, you should calculate CHF 400 per training day. The external IAF examination fees amount to CHF 2,100 in total (written modules CHF 400 each, oral examination CHF 500).
Is there support for companies and teams?
Yes. For companies, we offer tailored VBV exclusive training sessions. These can be scheduled individually and cost a flat CHF 2’500 per day for classes of up to 20 participants.
Does the Academy support exam registration?
We provide comprehensive information about the process and important deadlines. However, the actual examination registration and payment of fees are handled directly with the respective external examination provider (VBV or IAF).
About Maklerzentrum Academy
Maklerzentrum Academy is a training institution in Switzerland for insurance qualifications and financial advisory qualifications.
Its focus lies on the structured preparation for recognised qualifications and continuing professional education in the insurance sector, in particular:
- VBV Insurance Intermediary Qualification
- VBV Recertification
- IAF Financial Advisor Qualification
The programmes and preparatory courses are practice-oriented and designed to prepare participants specifically for the relevant examinations and qualification steps.
The programmes are aimed at people working in the insurance or financial advisory sector, those seeking a recognised qualification, or those who need to renew their existing authorisation within the framework of VBV recertification.
Training Programmes
Maklerzentrum Academy currently offers the following training programmes:
VBV Training – Insurance Intermediary
VBV training provides the foundations for insurance intermediation and prepares participants for VBV certification.
The content includes in particular:
- Insurance fundamentals
- Legal fundamentals
- Insurance products
- Advisory practice and practical application
VBV Recertification – Preparatory Courses
The preparatory courses for VBV recertification are intended for existing insurance intermediaries who wish to prepare specifically for their recertification examination.
The courses are compact in structure and focus on the examination-relevant content based on the current VBV requirements.
The content includes in particular:
- Law and compliance
- Cyber insurance
- Property insurance
- Liability and financial loss insurance
- Personal insurance and health
- Structured examination preparation
IAF Training – Qualified Financial Advisor
IAF training is an advanced qualification for insurance advisors and financial advisors.
The content includes in particular:
- Insurance fundamentals
- Regulatory requirements
- Pension and wealth planning
- Insurance products
- Advisory practice and analysis
- Examination preparation
Course Fees at a Glance
Maklerzentrum Academy offers structured training programmes and preparatory courses for a range of qualifications in the insurance and financial services sector. Below you will find the current course fees at a glance.
VBV Training – Insurance Intermediary
- CHF 150 per training day and participant in open classes.
- For companies, exclusive in-house classes are available from CHF 2,500 per day at a flat rate.
- VBV course materials and any examination fees are charged separately.
VBV Recertification – Preparatory Courses
- Basic course: CHF 750 per participant.
- Course including an additional revision day: CHF 900 per participant.
- The optional revision day can also be booked separately for CHF 150.
IAF Training – Certified Financial Advisor IAF
- CHF 400 per training day and participant.
- Training starts from CHF 6,400 in total for participants who already hold the Insurance Intermediary VBV qualification.
- External IAF examination fees and course materials are not included.
Important Note
The information provided on the respective course pages shall apply in each case. Depending on the course, module selection and individual starting point, additional external examination fees or course material costs may apply.
Training Format
The programmes and courses are delivered in a hybrid format or as targeted online preparation.
This includes:
- Online teaching
- In-person teaching
- Structured modules
- Examination preparation
This format allows for a combination of flexible learning and direct professional support.
The preparatory courses for VBV recertification are specifically delivered as compact online courses.
Locations
In-person sessions take place at the following locations:
- Basel
- Bern
- Zurich
- Lausanne
- Lugano
The online components are delivered digitally.
Target Groups
The training programmes are aimed in particular at:
- Insurance intermediaries
- Insurance advisors
- Financial advisors
- Brokers
- Career changers entering the insurance sector
- Individuals with an existing VBV qualification
- Individuals interested in obtaining an IAF qualification
- Individuals required to complete VBV recertification
Purpose of the Training
The objective of the training programmes is to provide structured preparation for recognised qualifications and regulatory continuing education requirements in the insurance sector.
The programmes provide professional foundations, regulatory knowledge and practical advisory skills.
The training supports participants in preparing for the relevant examinations, renewing existing qualifications through recertification, and developing their professional expertise further.
Examinations and Qualifications
- The VBV training programme prepares participants for the VBV qualification.
- The VBV recertification courses prepare participants for the recertification examination for existing insurance intermediaries.
- The IAF training programme prepares participants for the IAF examination.
- The examinations are conducted by the respective responsible examination bodies.
Programme Structure
The programmes are modular in structure and include:
- Professional foundations
- Advanced modules
- Practice-oriented content
- Examination preparation
The modular structure allows for a clear and systematic learning path.
The preparatory courses for VBV recertification are designed as compact programmes focused on targeted revision and consolidation of examination-relevant content.
Further Information
Further information on the individual training programmes is available on the relevant pages:
Contact and Reservation
Information on dates and reservations is available on the respective training pages.
Reservations can be made via the relevant forms on the training pages.