Certificate in Financial Planning

The CFP® Certification Program provides the skills, training and knowledge to succeed in the financial services industry, as well as the education requirement needed to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination. Whether you are new to the financial services industry or a seasoned professional, this program is designed to be equally beneficial. The certificate is particularly appealing to those currently employed in or interested in entering the financial services industry, as a stockbroker, tax preparer, insurance agent, real estate professional, bank and trust officer, financial planner, accountant or attorney. 

The program is a sequential six-course certificate program. Our program’s schedule allows you to complete your studies in approximately 12 months, while maintaining a full-time job. 

Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance Planning 
This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of financial planning. Students will receive an overview of specific areas of financial planning such as income tax planning, investment planning, retirement planning and estate planning. In addition, the course will present topics on the concepts of time value of money, education and retirement funding and insurance planning.  

Investments 
This course introduces investment strategies, portfolio allocation theory and application, debt and equity securities and portfolio management strategies. This course will also emphasize the importance of determining a client’s risk tolerance and goals and then managing an investment portfolio that incorporates a client’s level of risk while achieving financial goals.  

Taxation of Persons, Property and Other Entities 
This course will focus on the federal income tax system. Topics will include gross income inclusions, exclusions, deductions, exemptions and credits. This course will consider the income taxation of individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLC’s and corporations. Finally, this course will present the students with taxation avoidance and minimization alternatives.  

Retirement and Employee Benefits 
This course includes the comprehensive study of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, other tax-advantages plans and employee benefits. In addition, this course will present an overview of the Social Security, disability and health care program. 

Estate Tax Planning 
This course will provide students with an introduction to estate planning and the taxation of estates for the purpose of financial planning. In addition, the overall tax implications of gifts and bequests will be presented in a manner that provides students with taxation avoidance and minimization techniques to be used when planning a client’s estate.  

Capstone Case in Financial Planning 
This course will involve case analysis and the integration of the six major areas of personal financial planning.