CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Course

What is the CFP® Course?

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER course is a formal recognition of expertise in financial planning, encompassing areas such as taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement saving. CFP professionals play a crucial role in assisting individuals with various aspects of financial management, including retirement, investing, education, insurance, and taxes. One of the key responsibilities of a CFP® professional is to act as a fiduciary for clients’ assets, ensuring that decisions are made with the client’s best interests in mind. Achieving the CFP® designation requires meeting stringent and challenging requirements, making it one of the most demanding certifications in the financial industry.

FPSB India’s partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) not only build credibility but also highlight its commitment to delivering top-tier financial planning education. These collaborations with renowned academic and financial hubs reinforce the quality and industry relevance of the programs, ensuring that participants receive the best possible training and preparation for their careers in the financial services sector.

Understanding CFP Eligibility: Requirements and Criteria

Candidates aged 18 or above, who have successfully completed HSC/12th (Std XII/HSC) from any stream, can enroll in this course. While a commerce background is beneficial, individuals from other streams are also eligible.

CFP® Course Fast Track Pathway

Recognizing the necessity for an expedited route to assess the competency of certain financial services professionals with specific qualifications and relevant experience, the Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. has established an accelerated pathway. Individuals meeting the specified criteria, verified through their credentials, will be exempted from three component-level Specialist exams. They will be enrolled directly in the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course. This process evaluates their comprehensive financial planning knowledge, skills, and abilities, aligning with the expectations for CFP® professionals.

Eligibility for the Fast Track Pathway depends on meeting the specific CFP eligibility criteria.

Approved Qualifications/Professional Certifications:

•   a.     Chartered Financial Analyst, from CFA Institute (USA)
•   b.     Certified Public Accountant, from AICPA (USA), CMA, ACCA
•   c.     Chartered Accountant, from ICAI, CA(Inter) with 3-year Articleship + B. Com
•   d.     Fellow Member of the Insurance Institute of India (Life/General)
•   e.    Advanced Wealth Management Course, CAIIB + B. Com from IIBF
•   f.     Postgraduate degree in Economics, Commerce, Finance/Financial Planning from a UGC-approved University
•   g.     MBA (all streams) and PGDM (all streams) from an AICTE approved institution/Ministry of Education approved institution/such other Indian or Foreign institution or business school

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CFP® Course Duration

For the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER course, the average CFP course duration is 12 to 18 months, though a fast-track option is available for those with prior experience, reducing the timeframe to as little as 6 to 9 months. This includes finishing a CFP Board-registered educational program covering essential topics like financial planning principles, investment strategies, and tax planning. After completing the coursework, candidates must also prepare for the CFP exam and fulfill work experience requirements. This flexibility allows you to fit the rigorous and comprehensive CFP course syllabus into your schedule while ensuring you meet all necessary qualifications. The global pass rate for the CFP exam typically ranges around 65%, reflecting the challenging nature of the certification.

CFP® Course Fees Structure

Above mentioned fees are subject to change.

GST included at the time of application and renewal of Specialist/ CFP Certification.

Career Opportunities for CFP® Aspirants

India’s financial landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by robust GDP growth and rising wealth among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). In 2023, India’s GDP reached approximately $3.75 trillion (₹313 lakh crore), making it the fifth-largest economy globally. The country saw a significant increase in financial wealth, with an additional $590 billion (₹49.5 lakh crore). HNWIs hold a substantial portion of this wealth and play a crucial role in income tax revenues, highlighting their importance in India’s economy.

The growth in wealth and the complexity of managing it have led to a heightened demand for Certified Financial Planner professionals. The HNW population in India is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 10-12% over the next five years, further increasing this demand.

Despite the creation of 46.86 lakh jobs in the financial services sector in 2023, a significant talent gap remains, with 18 lakh positions unfilled. The State Bank of India’s initiative to deploy 2,000 relationship managers to serve wealthy clients further illustrates the rising need for skilled financial planners.

As the wealth management industry expands, CFP® professionals are becoming increasingly essential. They manage substantial wealth and contribute to the stability and growth of India’s financial sector, making them vital to the nation’s economic future.

The Career Opportunities for CFP Professionals Are as Follows:

1. Financial Planner: As a CFP professional, you can work independently, join a firm, or start your own practice, providing personalized financial advice for goals like retirement and investment planning.

2. Wealth Manager: CFP professionals in Private banks, family offices, or wealth management firms manage large portfolios and offer advanced services, especially in rapidly growing markets like India.

3. Investment Advisor: As a CFP professional, you’ll guide clients through complex investment choices, working with wealth management firms or financial institutions to maximize returns and manage risk.

4. Tax Consultant: Leveraging your CFP credentials, you can specialize in tax consulting, optimizing strategies and ensuring compliance while working with accounting firms or as an independent consultant.

5. Retirement Planning Specialist: CFP professionals help clients plan and manage retirement funds, pension plans, and savings, with opportunities in retirement firms, corporations, and government agencies.

CFP® Course Syllabus

The CFP course syllabus includes key topics like financial planning, investment strategies, and tax planning.

Upon obtaining all three Specialist Certifications, candidates can enroll in the Integrated Financial Planning course, which includes two stages: Financial Plan Assessment and the CFP® Exam. Each Specialist exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions and lasts for 2 hours. The exam can be taken remotely on the Mettle platform or at NSE test centers using a computer.

The Financial Plan Assessment

Following the assessment of their submitted financial plan, candidates become eligible to take the final CFP® exam.

IPS, REPS, RTPS Exam Registrations: Open from the 1st to the 5th of every month.

FPA and CFP Exam Registrations: Open from the 1st to the 5th of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

Partnerships with Leading Global Brands

• One of the respected and oldest partners of Becker Professional Education which is also the world leader in the US CPA course and US CMA course content.
• Gold-approved learning partner of ACCA along with an approved CBE (Computer Based Exam) center for the ACCA course . Learners are also provided with Kaplan content for the ACCA program with original books and 24/7 LMS access (Learning Management System).
• Gold partner of IMA, USA for the US CMA program which is one of the top institutions in India. The US CMA content is powered by Becker. Becker is one of the approved CMA content providers globally.
• Partner of the BSE Institute Ltd for the Post Graduate Program in Business Accounting & Taxation (PGP-BAT course) and Financial Modeling course which is amongst the largest in India.
• EduPristine is a CFA® Institute Prep Provider for the CFA® course, approved for years 2023-24, and before this for the years 2022-23 and 2021-22, the only CFA® Institute Prep Provider in India to be approved for 3 consecutive years.
• Approved EPP (Exam Preparation Provider) of GARP®, USA for the FRM® course and is among one of the top institutions.
• Our website features testimonials from hundreds of satisfied students, as well as feedback from faculty members.
• EduPristine offers both classroom training and live virtual classes (LVC) to accommodate full-time students and working professionals in Mumbai and Delhi. Our centers are conveniently located near metro, rail, and bus stations for easy access.