Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning

Semester 1

• ACCT-701 Accounting for Managerial Decision Making
• FINA-702 Retirement Financial Planning
• FINA-705 Tax Planning for Financial Planners
• FINA-707 Life License Qualification Program
• FINA-708 Behavioural Finance
• FINA-739 CSC Preparation 1*

Semester 2

• FINA-701 Risk Management and Estate Planning
• FINA-703 Corporate Credit Management
• FINA-704 Financial Planning Capstone
• FINA-706 Financial Services Sales and Negotiation
• FINA-709 Ethics, Conduct and Practices
• FINA-749 CSC Preparation 2**

Graduation requirements: Program GPA of 2.0 (C grade) or higher

Students are required to complete FINA739 and FINA749 (CSC prep courses), additional industry-specific fees will apply and the approximate cost is $500 per course.

Program Highlights

Upon completion of this Financial Planning program, you will be able to:

• Integrate economic and personal information necessary for effective financial planning decisions.
• Compare, contrast and select financial products and services, investment planning and counselling services for clients, while adhering to industry standards.
• Effectively market financial services to clients to renew and gain new business.
• Recognize potential tax and legal implications within a financial planning situation.
• Integrate ethical decision-making processes into all aspects of the financial planning profession.
• Successfully adhere to financial planning principles and industry standards.
• Manually and electronically prepare accurate and relevant financial plans.

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.

• Integrate ethical decision-making processes into all aspects of the financial planning profession.
• Apply recognized financial planning principles and industry standards to the systematic analysis of financial position and requirements.
• Prepare accurate and relevant financial plans manually and electronically.
• Integrate economic and personal information necessary for effective financial planning decisions.
• Compare, contrast and select, from appropriate financial products and services, investment planning and counselling services for the public according to industry standards, including taxation counselling.
• Effectively market financial products through the development of an inventory of prospective clients, following up with individual sales strategies in pursuit of new and renewal business.
• Recognize potential tax and legal implications within a financial planning situation.
• Identify and apply written and verbal client-focused communication styles and strategies.
• Research market opportunities and implement a business plan in support of client needs, as well as student career choices.
• Qualify to challenge the Certified Financial Planner (CFP™) and to be fully licensed with the IDA/MFDA.
• Provide recommendations and options to the public for managing risk involving life and health insurance products.

Career Outlook

• Certified financial planner
• Wealth management officer
• Financial Advisor
• Financial analyst
• Chartered financial consultant
• Investment advisor
• Insurance broker

Education Pathways

Start with a diploma, and end with a degree! Successful graduates of this Financial Planning Graduate Certificate program have the opportunity to apply their credits toward further study at the degree level. Please note that each partnership has a specific minimum grade requirement in order to qualify for transfer credits.

Areas of Employment

• Finance
• Insurance
• Security and commodity brokerages
• Banks
• Financial investment firms
• Investment advisory firms
• Financial planning
• Mutual funds