Mon., Sept. 1: In observance of Labor Day, the College for Financial Planning will be closed. Online testing will be available; however, online testing support will not be available.
By clicking an Enroll button on this page, I understand that the College will use email as the primary method of communication with me concerning notification of information about policy changes, my status in the program, etc. I agree and consent to the College for Financial Planning sharing my email address with instructors and other students in my classes for educational purposes. I also understand that it is my responsibility to keep the College informed of changes to my email address, mailing address, and phone numbers.
Furthermore, I have read, understand, and agree to all the policies and procedures stated in the catalog, and on the Web site of the College for Financial Planning, Inc., including but not limited to those relating to admission requirements, fees, sales tax, refund policy, updating of study materials, the Privacy Policy, examinations and testing activity, length of enrollment, and completion requirements.
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Certification Professional Education Program satisfies the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) educational requirement for CFP® certification. After successfully completing the College's CFP® Certification Professional Education Program, you are eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
The College for Financial Planning does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, Certified Financial PlannerTM and CFP (with flame logo)® marks. CFP certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirememts such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.
For more information on completing the CFP® certification process, contact the CFP Board at:
CFP Board 1425 K Street, NW, Suite 500Washington, DC 20005 P: 800-487-1497 (Toll-Free) P: 202-379-2200 F: 202-379-2299
Bachelor's Degree RequirementEffective Jan. 1, 2007, CFP Board will require that applicants, in addition to meeting other existing requirements, must possess an accredited undergraduate degree in order to be considered for CFP® certification. Please contact the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards for further information.
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If you want the benefits of an instructor-led, peer-focused program, but don't have time to sit in a classroom, the CFP® Certification Mentor Education Program is for you! These dynamic, Web-delivered courses consist of 20 hours of "live" lecture delivered using voice over IP along with Internet visuals on your computer. The College for Financial Planning provides highly qualified instructors who will enhance your understanding of the CFP® Certification Professional Education Program materials and help structure your progression through the course. During each lecture, you may ask questions of the instructor and communicate with other students. If you are unable to attend a session, you can review the recorded lecture at your convenience.
For more information about the CFP® Certification Mentor Education Program, contact the Enrollment Department at 1-800-237-9990, option 3 or send us an e-mail.
All materials are provided in print and online* through your personalized "My Campus" page. Our curriculum is based on a client-centered, problem-solving method that uses case studies to give students a hands-on approach to the material. Also included are thousands of open-ended, multiple choice, and case analysis questions that help you prepare for the national exam and equip you with knowledge that will benefit your clients. As a further advantage, our highly qualified, full-time faculty is available via telephone, e-mail, and fax to support you in your studies.
*Online Mentor Program only
Completing the CFP® Certification Professional Education Program may fulfill continuing education (CE) requirements of certain State Boards of Accountancy. Individual materials for each program, and the program itself, can help meet the firm element of the securities industry's (and therefore each company's) CE requirements.
State Boards of Accountancy and insurance departments in many states also recognize the CFP Certification Professional Education Program. See details in the Continuing Education Table. You can also check the College's Web site for updated information on CE credits.
FINANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS & INSURANCE INVESTMENT PLANNING INCOME TAX PLANNING RETIREMENT PLANNING & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ESTATE PLANNING
The program's first course begins with a presentation of the basics that form the foundation of knowledge you need as a working financial services professional. The financial planning process as well as the legal, ethical, and regulatory issues affecting financial planners, and time value of money concepts are covered. The course continues with a discussion of the principles of risk management and insurance, allowing you to identify a client's risk exposure and select appropriate risk management techniques.
Required Textbooks:
Chandler, Darlene K., et. al., Risk Management for Financial Planners (current edition), The National Underwriter Company. Leimberg, Stephan R., et. al., Tools & Techniques of Life Insurance Planning (current edition), The National Underwriter Company.
In the second course you'll learn about the wide variety of investment vehicles that may be included in a client's portfolio, as well as client assessment, tax considerations, economic factors, valuation methods, asset allocation techniques, portfolio performance evaluation, and more. Having the knowledge to choose the right investments is essential for implementing your clients' financial plans-and ensuring their confidence in you.
Required Textbook: Investment Planning for Financial Professionals (current edition); Hirt, Block and Basu; McGraw-Hill.
Because taxes affect virtually every financial decision, having timely knowledge of tax laws and issues greatly enhances your effectiveness as a financial professional-and broadens your opportunities to do business. This third course emphasizes the fundamentals of individual income taxation, the tax implications of various types of businesses, tax-advantaged investments, employee compensation issues and planning, alternative minimum tax, tax traps, and more.
Required Textbook: Hoffman, William H. Jr., James E. Smith, Eugene Willis, West Federal Taxation Individual Income Taxes (Current Edition), Thomson South-Western.
With more and more Americans expressing concern about how they can be financially comfortable in retirement, it's crucial to your business that you know how to serve their needs in this area. This fourth course covers all the major retirement-related issues: retirement savings need analysis, qualified retirement plan design, Social Security, Medicare, and more. In addition, group life, health, and disability insurance, nonqualified deferred compensation, and other commonly provided employee benefits are examined.
Dalton, Michael A. Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits for Financial Planners (current edition), ME (Money Education).
Minor, Deborah, Editor, (current edition) Tax Facts on Insurance & Employee Benefits, NULaw Services, a department of National Underwriter.
Estate planning is vital to a total financial plan, especially in your work with high-net-worth clients. This fifth course introduces you to the process of developing an estate plan. Topics covered include federal estate and gift taxation, techniques that reduce the size of a gross estate, wills, intestacy, probate, trusts, and more.
Required Textbook: Dalton, Michael A., Estate Planning for Financial Planners (current edition), ME (Money Education).