Find the best Certified Financial Planning courses for you

Before you become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), you must have the requisite education and go through a strict and rigorous certification process. Apart from the usual educational requirements, an aspiring CFP must have the relevant knowledge, skills, work experience, and ethics. 

You must also successfully complete a series of exams and show that you can be trusted to adhere to a high ethical standard. If you pursue having a Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP), you’ll also need to go through a step-by-step process. 

Getting either designation can be difficult. You’ll need to complete all the requirements and get the most suitable course for your planned career path. In this article, Wealth Professional Canada will provide you with lists of Certified Financial Planning courses in major provinces. We’ll also talk about the CFP and QAFP designations. 

Which Certified Financial Planning course should I choose?  

Your choice of Certified Financial Planning courses depends on whether you wish to pursue a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or a Qualified Associate Financial Planner role: 

Certified financial planning courses for CFP 

The courses at institutions listed below are some that satisfy the technical education requirements of FP Canada for CFP certification. Refer to this list of certified financial planning courses for becoming a CFP in the country. 

If you live or plan to work in Alberta, here’s a list of courses that you can take: 

The CFP designation can also be within reach if you take any of these courses in Ontario: 

Note from FP Canada: *CFP Certification requires a combination of technical education (core and advanced curriculum) and professional education. York University also offers a course that fulfills the professional education requirement for CFP Certification. 

British Columbia also offers certified financial planning courses for aspiring CFPs: 

Financial planning courses for QAFP 

The courses at institutions listed below are some that satisfy the technical education requirements of FP Canada for QAFP certification. Let’s first look at courses that you can take in Alberta: 

You can also get financial planning courses for QAFP in Ontario: 

Want to be get a QAFP designation in British Columbia? Check out some of the courses you can take in this province: 

How to become a Certified Financial Planner in Canada 

A CFP in Canada is a credentialed professional with demonstrated expertise in these areas: 

• insurance 
• taxation 
• retirement 
• financial planning 
• estate or succession planning  
• investments 

To earn the designation, candidates must: 

1. hold a minimum three-year, post-secondary degree (preferably in finance, business, economics, etc.) or an international equivalent or have ten years of qualifying work experience 

2. complete FP Canada-approved education 

3. pass the CFP exam administered by FP Canada 

4. get three years of qualifying financial planning experience 

5. adhere to the FP Canada Standards Council Standards of Professional Responsibility and complete annual continuing education to renew the designation 

CFP certification in Canada is awarded and regulated by FP Canada, formerly the Financial Planning Standards Council, under oversight from the Financial Planning Standards Board. 

To better understand the steps on how to get a CFP designation, you can refer to our comprehensive guide. 

What educational programs must be completed? 

For this certification, the applicant must complete FP Canada Institute’s Technical Education—Fundamentals and Advanced or a Fundamentals and Advanced program recognized by FP Canada. After that, they can finish the FP Canada Institute CFP Professional Education Program. 

The Certified Financial Planner certification is the most widely recognized financial planning designation in Canada. Not only is it recognized globally, but it is also considered the gold standard for the finance profession. 

What does it mean to be a certified financial planner? 

Finance professionals with this designation have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, experience and ethics to examine their clients’ complex financial picture in its entirety. CFPs are expected to work with their clients to build the most suitable financial plan. 

Mastering the Fundamentals and Advanced curriculum plus CFP Professional Education Program gives CFP aspirants a deeper understanding of essential financial planning concepts. 

The CFP certification will prepare you to examine your clients’ financial circumstances thoroughly and at the highest possible level of complexity. 

Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) 

You must complete the FP Canada Institute Technical Education—Fundamentals or a Fundamentals program recognized by FP Canada. Then, proceed to finish the FP Canada Institute QAFP Professional Education Program. 

After completing the educational requirement, you need to pass a three-hour, computer-based exam with both stand-alone and case-based multiple-choice questions. The exam covers different areas of financial planning based on the FP Canada Competency Profile. 

Next, you need one year of relevant work experience in financial planning. This shows that you can apply what you’ve learned in real-life situations. You must also agree to follow FP Canada’s Standards of Professional Responsibility, which outline ethical and professional conduct. 

Required educational attainment or experience 

Before applying, make sure that you are a holder of either a two-year diploma from a recognized Canadian school or equivalent from another country. An alternative is to have five years of qualifying work experience if you don’t have a diploma. 

Career opportunities and pathways  

After completing your chosen financial planning course and the succeeding steps, you can look forward to a variety of jobs or career pathways. Here are a few options for the intrepid wealth professional aside from the CFP and QAFP designations: 

Let’s discuss these career opportunities further below: 

1. Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) 

These wealth managers specialize in managing international wealth and providing comprehensive financial planning services to high-net-worth individuals and families that have global assets. 

2. Fellow of CSI (FCSI) 

FCSI designation is awarded to experienced financial services professionals with a high level of expertise in various areas of finance, particularly in: 

• investment management 
• financial planning 
• wealth management 

3. Personal Financial Planner (PFP)  

These professionals offer personalized financial planning advice and solutions to individuals and families. They help clients manage their finances effectively and achieve financial security. 

4. Chartered General Accountant (CGA) 

CGAs specialize in accounting and financial management, providing their expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, and strategic financial planning for organizations. 

5. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) 

CMAs do management accounting, focusing on financial analysis, cost management, and strategic decision-making. They focus on helping organizations improve their financial performance, that's why taking Certified Financial Planning courses is critical. 

6. Chartered Accountant (CA) 

These are highly qualified accountants who provide a wide range of accounting and financial services, including auditing, tax planning, and financial reporting. They can offer their services to both individuals and businesses. 

7. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) 

CFAs specialize in investment management and financial analysis, conducting in-depth research on financial markets and securities. They make informed investment decisions for clients. 

8. Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) 

This type of CFP focuses on providing comprehensive financial planning services, including insurance planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. Their services are meant to help clients achieve their financial goals. 

9. Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) 

CIM professionals specialize in investment management, designing and implementing investment strategies to help clients grow and protect their wealth over the long term. 

10. Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) 

A CLU’s forte lies in life insurance planning. Their job is to help clients protect their assets and provide financial security for their loved ones through customized life insurance solutions. 

11. Registered Financial Planner (RFP) 

RFPs focus on assisting clients to achieve their financial goals. They provide personalized financial planning advice and solutions to individuals and families. Completing the necessary financial planning courses is key to succeeding in this role.  

12. Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) 

These finance professionals specialize in estate planning and trust administration. They help clients and their families plan for the transfer of assets and wealth to their heirs in a tax-efficient manner.  

If you’re undecided about getting certification as a CFP, it helps to know if you are the type of person who’s right for the profession. Want to know more about the CFP profession? Check out this clip to help you decide if this career is for you: 

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Why take Certified Financial Planning courses? 

The path to CFP designation is not an easy one, but it can be well worth its pursuit. There are myriad career opportunities and many success stories about top wealth advisors who chose to get CFP designation.  

Helping individuals, families, companies, or organizations achieve their financial goals while doing it in an ethical manner can be very rewarding. It also helps that you can make a decent living doing it and continually expand your financial knowledge and skills. 

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