Why CFP?

Certified Financial Planner believe passionately in what they do and make your financial goals follow you

WHY CFPCM CERTIFICANTS?

The Certified Financial Planner (CFPCM ) credential is globally recognized as a symbol of excellence and as the highest standard in personal Financial Planning. Choosing a Financial Planner with a CFP certification, provides you with guidance over a lifetime, offering solutions to all your concerns as needed. A financial planner plays a centric role in helping you meet your life goals and achieve financial well-being. Certified Financial Planners are committed to competent, ethical and professional practice standards to provide guidance that you can rely on.

Mark of Quality

Certified Financial Planners (CFPCM ) certification marks help you recognize Financial Planners who adhere to a rigorous code of ethics, professional responsibility and are trusted to provide practical, easy-to-understand Financial Planning advice in the best interest of its clients. CFPCM practitioners acquire demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the specialized area of Financial Planning by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFPCM certification process. It requires a combination of education, training, real-world experience and exam based on Financial Planning Practice Standards inclusive of emerging practices, tailoring considerations and core competencies of financial planning.

Tested For Competency

To earn the CFP certification, an individual must fulfil the following education, experience and certification requirement.

Education:

A candidate must complete academic coverage of the Financial Planning curriculum by undergoing the 5 Module CFPCM Certification Education Program through an Authorized Education Partner and pass corresponding Exam 1-4 facilitated by NSE. However, candidates applying through the Challenge Status Pathway are exempted from the Education Program considering their higher qualifications & work experience. Education criteria demonstrate to the public that the candidate has acquired the necessary knowledge to become a Financial Planner.

Examination:

The CFPCM Examination (also called Exam 5 based on Module VI-Advanced Financial Planning) is designed to assess the candidate’s ability to apply Financial Planning knowledge to real-life Financial Planning situations. By acing the CFPCM Certification Examination, the candidate demonstrates to the public that he/she has the required level of competency to practice Financial Planning.

Experience:

The experience requirement qualifies work experience that involves Personal Financial Planning. Candidates under the Regular Pathway may complete the experience criteria pre or post appearing Exam 5 however candidates under the Challenge Status pathway need to have attained relevant experience before appearing Exam 5. The Experience criterion is designed to provide the public with the assurance that the candidate understands the counselling nature of personal Financial Planning.

Ethics:

To get the CFPCM Certification, candidates after meeting Education, Examination & Experience criteria must agree to abide by FPSB India’s Code of Ethics, Rules of Professional Conduct, Practice Standards & Disciplinary Rules & Procedures. Careful adherence to these standards of professional conduct helps turn initial consultations into trusted, long term consulting relationships with clients and gain public confidence in the Profession & Certification.

Continuous Education

Once Certified, CFPCM Certificants must fulfil the Continuing Education (CE) requirement to stay current on Financial Planning strategies, products and trends affecting their clients. CE plays a vital role in the CFPCM Certificants pursuit of ongoing professional competence. This demonstrates to the public that the candidate has kept himself /herself abreast of developments in the Financial Planning field.

Financial Planning Practice Standards

Distinguishing Financial Planning from other kinds of financial advice might be difficult and confusing for you. To help you understand what to expect from the Financial Planning process, CFPCM practitioners follow certain standards - called Financial Planning Practice Standards - when providing Financial Planning advice. Practice Standards describe the process you should reasonably expect a Financial Planner to use during a Financial Planning engagement. These standards are based on a six-step Financial Planning process.

The Financial Planning Process

  • Establishing and defining the client-planner relationship
  • Gathering client data including goals
  • Analyzing and evaluating the client's financial status
  • Developing and presenting Financial Planning recommendations and/or alternatives
  • Implementing the Financial Planning recommendations
  • Monitoring the Financial Planning recommendations
  • When providing Financial Planning advice, a CFPCM practitioner will define the scope of the work she or he will do with you, and clearly explain and document the services she or he will provide, the method of compensation and other relevant information. CFPCM practitioners will work with you to determine your personal and financial goals, needs and priorities; understand your time frame for achieving results and discuss your tolerance for financial risk. Practice Standards also require the CFPCM practitioner to gather all necessary financial information about you when developing your personal Financial Plan.

A Matter of Trust

As more people call themselves "Financial Planners," finding the right professional to address your Financial Planning needs isn't always easy. Take your time when choosing a Financial Planner. Before making a decision, become familiar with the planner's business style and understand the level of services he or she provides. Look for a measure of the planner's commitment to ethical behavior and adherence to high professional standards. Most importantly, look for a Financial Planner who will put you and your needs at the center of every Financial Planning engagement.