Certified Financial Planner
Why become a professional financial planner?
Financial planning is an in-demand profession that directly contributes to the wellbeing of society. As a successful financial planner, you will be a trusted partner through all phases of your clients’ lives. You will help them manage their everyday and complex financial needs with a plan that fits their diverse and changing circumstances. Your ongoing guidance will help build their financial confidence.
Financial planners are highly sought-after and have a diverse range of professional opportunities, including retail banking, wealth management, boutique financial services firms and, as independent professionals.
Why earn a professional designation?
Getting certified is important because it demonstrates that an individual meets stringent proficiency and ethics requirements, including high levels of education and experience.
- Knowledge and skills: Confirms that you have the knowledge, skills, experience, and ethics to provide financial advice
- Professional responsibility: Confirms your commitment to the highest ethical standards
- Professional brand: Demonstrates your value to employers and clients
- Regulatory requirements: Ensures that you keep pace with evolving legal and regulatory requirements
- Trust: Fosters trust in the advice Canadians receive from you
What certifications does Financial Planning (FP) Canada™ offer?
Qualified Associate Financial Planner™ (QAFP) certification
QAFP™ certification is a great way to start your career in financial planning. This certification enables you to understand your clients’ everyday financial planning needs and offer professional financial advice that fits their diverse lives and supports their goals. QAFP certification can also be a steppingstone to CFP certification. This is where confidence begins.
Certified Financial Planner® (CFP)certification
CFP® certification is the world’s most recognized financial planning designation and is considered the “gold standard” for the profession. CFP professionals see their clients’ entire financial picture, no matter how complex, and work together to build a comprehensive financial plan so they can live life confidently
Earning your certification courses with Athabasca University
The following courses are required to meet QAFP and CFP core curriculum requirements. Please note that some of these courses have prerequisites (check each course for specific details).
Note: We will be revising some of our courses and curriculum requirements needed for QAFP/CFP. The courses listed below are noting what is currently accepted. Please keep updated as you progress through your program/courses by referring to our website for the latest information or by contacting us.
QAFP
Applicants must hold a post-secondary diploma from an accredited college or university.
| Course | Prerequisite knowledge required for course |
|---|---|
| FNCE 249 revision 6 onwards ( FNCE 370 can fulfill if already taken) | None |
| FNCE 322 revision 5 onwards | ACCT 253 or FNCE 300/ ECON 300 or FNCE 370 |
| FNCE 323 revision 1 or revision 2 1 | FNCE 322, FNCE 370 (requires MGSC 301 and ACCT 250 or ACCT 253), LGST 369, TAXX 301 |
| FNCE 350 2 | None |
1 FNCE 323 revision 3 (anticipated to open 2023 and will only have FNCE 322 as prerequisite) TAXX 301 will then also be required.
2 LGST 369 is also an accepted alternative to meet the certification requirement.
CFP
Applicants must hold a post-secondary degree from an accredited college or university such as the Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Finance . Courses as required for QAFP above plus:
| Course | Prerequisite knowledge required for course |
|---|---|
| TAXX 301 | ACCT 253 |
In order to meet the advanced curriculum requirements for the CFP designation, TAXX 301 - Taxation I will also be required in addition to the core curriculum courses.
The above courses cover the curriculum requirements only. There are additional requirements to earn your certifications.
Read CFP frequently asked questions
Who is FP Canada™ and how do they play a role here?
A national professional body working in the public interest, FP Canada™ is dedicated to championing better financial wellness for all Canadians by leading the advancement of professional financial planning in Canada. FP Canada™ is the leading certification and enforcement body for professional financial planners in Canada. Learn more at FPCanada.ca.
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