A sure-footed Guide to thefinancial planning profession.

Financial Planners Standards Council

Take thenext step.

Frequently Asked Questions Try us on for size.

What is financial planning?Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC) defines personal financial planning as the process ofcreating strategies, considering all relevant aspects ofa client’s financial situation, to manage financialaffairs to meet life goals.

What does a financial planner do? Financial planners use an integrated, multi-disciplinedapproach to help their clients gain perspective ontheir personal finances.

Through conversations and research, the client andplanner assess where the client is, determine wherethe client may want or need to be at any time in thefuture, and together develop a plan to get the clientthere. They may also help their clients put plans into action. Professional planners usually develop long-term relationships with their clients, payingattention to how their clients’ wants and needs maychange over a lifetime.

What is the CFP™ designation?The internationally recognized “CFP” marks,including CFP™, Certified Financial Planner™ and

identify individuals who are committed to the highest level of competence andethics in professional financial planning.

budgeting and muchmore. For a complete listof topic areas, visit theFPSC Web site.

The skills of a CFPprofessional include:

• Professionalismthrough objectivity,integrity andconfidentiality;

• Observing, gathering,analyzing andcomputing data;

• Translating data intoinnovative solutionsand opportunities;

• Precision and accuracy – payingattention to detail;

• Problem solving –applying appropriatestrategies and drawingaccurate conclusions;

• Logical and abstractthinking;

• Strong written and oralcommunication skills;

• Ability to listen andwork well with others;and

• Dedication to stayingaware of changes in theeconomic, political andregulatory environmentand engage incontinuous professionaldevelopment.

Who is FinancialPlanners StandardsCouncil?Financial PlannersStandards Council is anot-for-profit organizationestablished in 1995 tofoster professionalism in personal financialplanning. FPSC’s missionis to benefiting the publicby leading the evolutionof the financial planningprofession in Canada bydeveloping, enforcingand promoting thehighest competency andethical standards infinancial planning. All individuals who areannually awarded theright to use the CFP™

marks by FPSC meetthese standards on anongoing basis. FPSC isthe sole licensor of theCFP™ marks in Canada.

What knowledgeand skills do financialplanners have?Financial planners who earn the CFPdesignation have acquiredthe breadth and depth of knowledge and skillsnecessary to serve their clients’ interestscompetently and ethically.

They have provenknowledge in a variety of topics includingeconomics, taxation,retirement saving vehiclesand financial products,pension plans, relevantlaws and legal issues,

Erika Penner, CFPbelow

Christopher Hatherly, CFPbelow

Peter Andreana, CFPabove

Anthony Windeyer, CFPabove

Tina Tehranchian, CFPabove

“Finances are a critical component ofeveryone’s life. As a CFP professional, youguide your clientsthrough many phases oftheir lives to help achievetheir goals. There isnever a dull moment!”

“Being a CFP professionalgives my clients thepeace of mind that they are dealing withsomeone who has theethics, skill set andexperience to help themreach their life goals.”

“The truth is it’s all aboutlove and responsibility.People plan for theirfuture because they’reresponsible and lovesomeone. When that’sthe basis for meetingpeople, you can’t helpbut be fulfilled.”

“The most gratifyingthing about working as a CFP professional isseeing the positiveimpact that my advicecan make on my clients’lives.”

“If you enjoy workingwith people, give someserious consideration tobecoming a financialplanner. The CFPdesignation has helpeddifferentiate me fromothers.”

A sure-footed Guide to a career in the financial planning profession “I have spread my dreamsunder your feet.”William Butler Yeats

Choosing acareer

It’s all about the fit.

that works with your life.

So what’s Financial Planning like ? The answers might surprise you.

• Professional accountants(CA, CGA, CMA)

• Chartered FinancialAnalyst (CFA)

• Chartered LifeUnderwriter (CLU)

• Lawyer (Member ofprovincial law society)

• PhDs in finance,business or economics

Where to look formore details

The CFP Candidatessection of the FPSC Website at www.cfp-ca.orghas the most currentinformation and resourcesto get you ready to takethe next step. Here you’llfind:

• Examination andlicensing forms;

• The list and contactinformation of FPSCApproved EducationProviders;

• Career Centre: an interactive e-mailQ&A resource;

• Job site: online postingsof jobs and resumes;

• Discussion Forums:places to network withlike minded individualsto form study groupsand share resources; and

• A list of course reviewworkshops and studyseminars to help you get ready to take the next step.

Browse through the rest of the site for moreinformation on financialplanning, FPSC and theCFP™ designation.

CONTINUINGEDUCATION

Two Ways to Go. Review the details.

Adherence to

requirements

▲

Some candidates willchoose to work full-timein the financial servicesindustry while completingtheir educationalrequirement. Otherschoose to study full-time,successfully pass the CFPExamination and thenmeet the work experiencerequirements. The choiceis up to you

ETHICS, PRACTICESTANDARDS and

CONTINUING EDUCATION

When you have met theeducation, examinationand work experiencerequirements, you areeligible to be awarded theCFP designation. Onceyou are licensed to use the CFP marks, you arerequired to abide by thestandards of ethics andpractice set by FPSC, andto continue youreducation throughout your career to keep yourknowledge and skillsrelevant.

Approved PriorCredentials Policy

If you already hold one ofthe following professionaldesignations oreducational credentials and have accumulatedthree years of personalfinancial planning relatedwork experience, you areeligible to write the CFPExamination. All otherlicensing requirementsapply.

FPSC Accredited Education Path

EDUCATION

There are 27 education programs directly accredited byFPSC that are delivered through distance and in-classcourses by 22 institutions (including colleges anduniversities). Some program providers have entered into academic partnerships expanding the number ofinstitutions that offer courses of study leading to theCFP designation to over 70.

Although FPSC sets the academic program requirements, it does not control which certificate,diploma or degree will be awarded upon completion of any of the approved programs. All programs vary incost, length and delivery format. With some researchyou can find the program that meets your financial andeducational needs.

EXPERIENCE

Once you have completed an approved educationprogram, you qualify to write the CFP Examination that is set and administered by FPSC. The examinationis offered twice a year in both official languages inlocations across Canada.

To complete the CFP professional certification program,you must also acquire two years of related workexperience within five years before or after successfullypassing the CFP Examination.

Path to the CFP™ Designation

If you already have the right experience and credentials,you canstart right here.Check out the Approved Prior Credentials Policy.

▲

ETHICS

Agree to abideby FPSC Codeof Ethics.

▲

EXAM

▲Two years of workexperience may becompleted before orafter writing the CFPExamination.

WORKEXPERIENCE

▲Offered by FPSCregistered programproviders in distanceand/or classroomsettings.

EDUCATIONREQUIREMENTS

LICENCE

▲

“The longest journeys beginwith a single step.”Chinese proverb

FPSC Accredited

On track for success.

Education Path.

A sure-footed Guide to a career in the financial planning profession

FPSC CODEOF ETHICSand annual

“He who has imaginationwithout learning has wingsbut no feet.”Joseph Joubert

Judge the CFP

companies we keep.

designation by the

Picture the CFP™ Designation in your career.

A sure-footed Guide to a career in the financial planning profession

Peter Watson Investments

Primerica FinancialServices

Prince Albert CreditUnion

Ray & Berndtson

RBC Bank

RBC Dominion Securities

RBC Insurance

RBC Investments

Ryan Lamontagne Inc.

Salmon Arm Savings andCredit Union

Saskatchewan PublicService Commission

SB & C Financial Growth

ScotiaMcLeod

Seneca College

Septen Financial

SISIP Financial Planning

Spherion

St. Willibrord Community CU

Streamline Consulting

TD Canada Trust

TD Waterhouse FinancialPlanning

Teachers Credit Union

The Public Employees’Benefits Agency of theDepartment of Finance

The Roche FinancialGroup

TWC Financial

VanCity Credit Union

Wainwright Credit Union Ltd.

WFG Securities of Canada Inc.

Windsor Family Credit Union

World Financial GroupInsurance of Canada

Hire Education. Organizations seeking CFP professionals today.Heath Lambert BenefitsConsulting Inc.

Hepcoe CU

Hill & CrawfordInvestment Management

HR/RH INC. Executive Search

HSBC Asset Management(Canada) Limited

ING

Investia Financial Services

Investors Group

KPMG LLP

Landmark Consulting

Laurentian FinancialServices Investments

LFS – Laurentian Financial Services

Lighthouse WealthManagement Ltd

LSM Consulting

MNK Financial Services

Money Concepts

Murrick Insurance/Assante Financial

National Bank of Canada

Office of the PublicGuardian & Trustee

OTG Investments

Page and Associates

Partners in Planning

Perler Financial/CMG-Worldsource

Adecco Financial Staffing Limited

AGFA

Aim/Trimark

Algonquin College

Alodium Financial Group Inc

Ashton College

Bank of Bermuda

Bank of Montreal

Bannatyne Investment

Berkshire Investment Group Inc.

Blair L. Botsford, Barrister & Solicitor

BMO Nesbitt Burns

botsfordLAW

CDSPI

CFO Financial Planning

CIBC Group Of Companies

CIBC Wood Gundy

Clarica

Coast Capital Savings Credit Union

Courte Insurance & Fianancial Services Inc.

CPA Financial Services Inc.

Credential Group

Credit Unions of Saskatchewan

Datile Securities

Dundee Private Investors Inc.

Dundee Securities Corp.

E.E.S. Financial Services

Edward Jones

Enterprise Partners

Financial Finesse Inc.

Financial Partners

Focus Wealth Strategies

Freedom55 Financial

George Brown College

Glen W Gryzko Professional Corporation

Growth Financial/Castlegar Savings CU

Harmony Capital Group

ANNOUNCEMENT

Lisa M. Bell, CFP

Senior Financial Consultant

Bill Evans, Regional Director for Investors GroupFinancial Services is pleasedto announce Lisa Bell hasachieved the position ofSenior Financial Consultant.

Lisa has achieved a highlevel of specializedknowledge in financial,insurance and taxationmatters which will ensure thebest possible service isprovided to our many clients

Investors Group FinancialServices Inc. is an affiliate ofInvestors Group Inc.– one ofthe largest financial servicescompanies in the country.For over 70 years, InvestorsGroup has been a pioneer inoffering a comprehensivearray of financial productsand services. Today, wemanage over $40 billion inmutual fund assets for over amillion Canadians.

PPI FINANCIALGROUP

KEVIN WARK, CFP

James A. Burton, Chairmanand Chief Executive Officerof PPI Financial Group, ispleased to announce theappointment of Kevin Walk,CFP, to the position of SeniorVice-President, Business

GROWTH OPPORTUNITYFINANCIAL PLANNING PRACTICE

Financial Planner/Branch Manager

This is an outstanding opportunity for a high integrity professional

with future potential, to assist in the growth of our business.

We’ve built a solid reputation as wealth and risk management

professionals. Our clients trust our integrity and experience in

business, estate, and tax analysis. They value our quality financial

products (wealth management, mutual funds, GICs, insurance, and

others).

Your initial role in this commission-based position will be to ensure

continued quality of service to existing clients (yours and ours), as

well as developing new clients. Your goal is to assume the role of

Branch Manager.

As an entrepreneurial, committed team player, you should have an

existing client base of about $10M in assets, university degree,

CFP, 3-5 years experience, and management capabilities. Sandy Cardy, CA, CFP

David Feather, President,Mackenzie Financial Services Inc.,is pleased to announce the appoint-ment of Sandy Cardy, CA, CFP, asVice President, Tax and EstateAdvisory services. Ms Cardy brings

Take the career shopping list test.

You’re ready.Take the next step:read our career brochure.

I enjoy helping peopleI like problem solvingI can look at the“big”pictureI enjoy paying attention to detailI want to be a“professional”I want a career that conforms to my lifestyleI want a career that is in demandI have considered a career as a financial planner

Financial Planners Standards Council505 University Ave., Suite 1600, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X3Telephone: 416.593.8587 Fax: 416.593.6903Toll free: 1 800.305.9886E-mail: inform@cfp-ca.org Web site: www.cfp-ca.org

CFP and Certified Financial Planner certification marks are used byFPSC under a license agreement with the CFP Board of Standards, Inc.

Take thenext step.