This course has begun and registration is closed. The following information is provided as a reference to currently enrolled participants.
Weeknight Classes, April 16, 2008 - January 17, 2009
Mondays and Wednesdays: 6:00 -- 9:00 p.m.
Exams (see schedule for six specific dates): Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. -- 12:00 noon
Capstone Classes: Saturdays, January 3, 10 & 17, 2009
8:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.
The UNC Charlotte Ben Craig Center
Program Fee: $4,395
Attend one of our Free Information Sessions!
Message from the Program Director
Dear Prospective Student,
Thank you for your interest in the UNC Charlotte’s Certified Financial Planner ™ Board-Registered Program. Whether you are seeking to enhance your current career, or searching for a complete career change, our Financial Planner Program provides the knowledge and specific skills that will contribute to your future in financial planning.
Once students successfully complete our Program, they will have satisfied the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination, which is administered by the CFP Board three times a year in March, July and November.
Our next Financial Planner Program session will begin April 16, 2008. Registration is available now and seating is limited, so register today.
Again, thank you for your inquiry. If I may help you answer any of your questions, please contact me at 704-687-8956 or cwood35@uncc.edu.
Sincerely,
Crystal Wood
Program Director
Why choose UNC Charlotte’s Certified Financial Planner (TM) Certificate program?
Quality instruction is a must for any outstanding educational program. All faculty members have advanced degrees and certifications and are experienced professionals in their respective fields. UNC Charlotte is committed to education. Students entering this program can be assured of the best education available.
This Program is Designed to
- Expand your knowledge of the principles and practices of financial planning
- Develop the expertise necessary for you to effectively assist clients
- Enhance your product knowledge and broaden your professional skills
- Increase your career options and growth potential
- Provide you with an opportunity to broaden your network of professional contacts
- Create an intensive learning environment to help prepare you for the CFP® Certification Examination
Who Should Consider This Program?
This Certified Financial Planner Program will advance the financial skills and career options of professionals practicing in the financial services industry, including:
- Investment Advisors
- Bankers
- Stockbrokers
- Accountants
- Tax Managers
- Insurance Producers
- Employee Benefits Professionals
- Risk-Management Professionals
- Lawyers
In addition, professionals from other industries who want to make a career change and are committed to the rigorous nature of this program are invited to enroll. Participants can look forward to gaining a wide range of proficiencies essential for success in financial planning.
Program Recommendations
To be successful in this program, it is recommended that applicants:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or University
- Have a minimum of two years of experience in a financial field
Classes meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Final Exams are administered on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Case Study Classes will be held on 3 consecutive Saturdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a working lunch.
Class will not be held on the following days:
May 26, 2008, August 11, 2008, August 13, 2008, September 1, 2008, October 29, 2008, November 26, 2008, December 22 -December 31, 2008
Class Schedule
Weeknight classes meet from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Final Exams are on Saturday from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Case Study / Capstone Classes meet from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with a working lunch
Program Location
All classes will be held in the UNC Charlotte Ben Craig Center, 8701 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28262. This newly remodeled facility features state-of-the-art classroom equipment, executive seating, onsite break room and free parking.
Program Length
This academically challenging and demanding program of study is offered over a ten month period.
Time Commitment
Depending on the student's previous experience and education, a student can expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours outside of the classroom for every hour in the classroom. Dalton Publications, a leading educator, estimates that students should spend 250-300 hours studying for the national certification exam.
Certificate
Students who successfully complete the program receive a framed certificate in Financial Planning from UNC Charlotte and a Letter of Completion which serves as the qualifying eligibility documentation for the CFP® Certification Examination.
Classroom Attendance
The attendance requirement allows a maximum of two absences per module. Students will sign in and out at each module to record attendance. A staff member of UNC Charlotte Continuing Education will collect the attendance sheet at the end of each class. If a student misses more than 2 classes, they will be required to resit that module.
Academic Standards
To receive the University’s certificate and continuing education units, students must pass each module with a minimum grade of 75% AND obtain a grade of 75% for the entire program.
Exams
There will be a final exam at the conclusion of each module. Exams will be given on Saturday (see Class Schedule for dates). A minimum grade of 75% must be earned on all exams that are administered as part of the program. Students who score 50% or higher on a final exam are allowed a single opportunity to retake the final in an attempt to achieve a passing grade in that particular module. Students who score 49% or below on a final exam are ineligible to retake the final and are required to resit the module the next time it is offered on space available basis.
Resitting
Students required to resit any module must re-attend the entire module from the beginning to the end before they are eligible to sit for the mid-term and final exam again.
· Students will be charged a re-sit fee of $500.00 per module.
· Students are responsible for changes in textbooks / materials.
· Students must complete the module within 2 years of beginning the program.
· Students can not re-sit a module more than one time. You may only take a module a total of two times.
Certificate RequirementsTo receive the University’s certificate, participants must not miss more than 2 classes per module and must earn an overall grade of 75% or above within the Certified Financial Planner ™ Certificate Program.
If a student does not fulfill the academic or attendance policies as stated above, you will be dismissed from the program and will not receive a letter of qualification to present to the CFP® Board of Standards to sit for the national exam.
Special Advisory:
Notification to students interested in this program exclusively for personal development and who never intend to take the CFP ® Certification Exam: Students may audit the course and are not required to take exams and quizzes, nor are they required to meet the attendance requirement. However, failure to meet the testing and attendance standard for any module precludes a participant from applying that course toward the education requirements to sit for the CFP® Certification Exam.
The Financial Planner Curriculum
Fundamentals of Financial Planning
This course is an overview of financial planning and explains the purpose and functions of a financial planner. It covers basic financial planning tools and techniques, including financial analysis, understanding the economy and economic terms, and client relations. The use of the HP12C calculator is explained and covered in detail. In addition, numerous other important financial planning subjects, such as ethical conduct, planning for education and special circumstances, and regulatory issues are introduced and explored.
Insurance Planning
This course introduces participants to the concepts and application of insurance. The primary focus of this course is upon the insurance needs of the consumer as it interrelates to the total concept of financial planning. Topics covered in this course include choosing an insurance company, property and auto insurance and life insurance. The components of risk, risk management and annuities are covered in detail.
Taxation Planning
Income Tax Planning is an introductory course to the concepts and application of tax law and practice. The primary focus of this course is upon Individual Income Taxes. Topics covered in this course include how to determine tax liabilities and tax rates. The components of income, deductions, and property transactions, are covered in detail.
Investment Planning
This course covers investment alternatives; security markets and trading; risk and return concepts; discussion and analysis of stock and bond valuation; portfolio management and evaluation; options and futures; fundamental and technical analysis.
Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
This course focuses on the basics that a financial planning professional needs to know about retirement planning and employee benefits. Although the material are applicable to the large and medium market, determining the appropriate plan for the small business is covered in more detail since this is where the financial planner will do most of his or her business. The text has many examples and case studies intended to demonstrate how the pension concepts apply in real-world situations.
Estate Planning
Estate Planning deals with the conservation and distribution of a client’s acquired property. Topics covered in this course include estate planning overview, estate planning during life, gifts, charitable giving and federal taxes. The components of minimizing transfer taxes at death, trusts and trust provisions and the estate planning uses of life insurance are covered in detail.
Financial Planning Case Studies
This course will present case studies which require students to apply knowledge from the financial planning core courses in situations much like the real life situations they will face in the financial planning practice. These cases and questions are important for testing a candidate’s ability to analyze facts, to evaluate alternatives and to synthesize and apply knowledge in differing circumstances.
The Financial Planning Profession
Financial planning is one of the fastest growing professions in our nation. As baby boomers plan for retirement and investors seek advice on creating and preserving wealth, the need for financial planers will continue to increase. In fact, the financial planning profession is ranked as one of the top three best jobs in America, according to the Jobs Rated Almanac, 2002.
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook says that employment opportunities for personal financial advisors is expected to grow faster than average through 2012. “Financial advisors who have the CFP® Certification are expected to have the best opportunities.”
In recognition of this demand for talented financial professionals, UNC Charlotte has developed a comprehensive non-credit Financial Planner Certificate Program. This certificate program has been established to meet the need for trained individuals who are able to plan, assess, and evaluate a client’s financial future through the development of a comprehensive financial plan. The program is based on the guidelines established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and is registered with the Board.
In less than one year, complete the required coursework towards obtaining the prestigious CFP® certification, and earn a certificate in Financial Planning from UNC Charlotte.
As today’s consumers become better educated about the complexities of finance, they are demanding the highest standards from their financial advisors. More and more, they look for the recognized industry standard, the CFP® mark.
The UNC Charlotte CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certification Education Program seeks to set its own standard of excellence for individuals pursuing the CFP® mark.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and 
, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.
UNC CHARLOTTE does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and certification marks. CFP certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements.
Brett A. Coffman, MBA, CFP™, EA
Fundamentals of Financial Planning
Brett is Vice President in the BB&T Wealth Management Group responsible for planning in the Charlotte and Western North Carolina regions. He has over 11 years of experience specializing in planning for small business owners, executives, physicians, and retirees. Brett graduated from the University of Utah in 1995, earning both a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and in Political Science. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1997, earning an MBA. In addition, Brett has completed a CFP® board registered program at New York University, has graduated from the Cannon Financial Institute Trust School, and has graduated from the Core Essentials coaching program at Coach University. As an Enrolled Agent, Brett is eligible to represent clients before the IRS on tax matters. He is also insurance licensed in Life, Accident and Health, and Property and Casualty. Brett has been published in the Journal of Financial Planning and has periodically been quoted in the media.
In addition to his work in financial planning, Brett has been a Boy Scout merit badge counselor, a literacy coach, a church volunteer, sits on a scholarship granting committee, and has taught chocolate making courses to disadvantaged and disabled youth.
Brett is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, and the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP).
"I feel empowered by my ability to help people create 'a better return' on life, through the financial planning process and feel passionate about helping students learn this process."
Marty Moore
Retirement Planning Instructor
Marty Moore is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with over 14 years experience as a financial and investment advisor. Marty currently works at Carroll Financial Associates. Marty graduated from the University of Virginia in 1980, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He received an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1989. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and has served on the Board of Directors for the Charlotte FPA since 1998. In 2001, he served as the Board’s President. Marty also serves on the Board of CharlotteSaves, Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people, especially those who are most economically vulnerable, learn to save and build wealth. He is also a member of the Steering Committee for the annual Queens College Financial Planners Day.
In addition to devoting time to professional and industry activities, Marty is also committed to advancing the level of integrity and proficiency within the financial planning profession. In 2003, he served as a hearing panel volunteer for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Professional Review in Denver, Colorado. The Board of Professional Review is responsible for interpreting and applying the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for all CFP® professionals. Marty holds a Series 7 license as a Registered Securities Representative and a Series 24 license as a General Securities Principal. In addition, he is North Carolina Life, Accident and Health Licensed.
"The need for capable, qualified financial planners is growing rapidly and the future outlook for the financial planning profession is very bright. I am privileged to be an instructor in such a highly regarded program and to use my knowledge and experience to help those entering the financial planning field."
Craig A.J. Averill
Insurance Planning Instructor
Craig A.J. Averill , CLU, ChFC has over 30 years experience in the insurance and financial planning industry with specialized skills in life insurance product development and marketing. He has been responsible for designing intricate marketing strategies for the application of life insurance in wealth transfer and executive benefits. These strategies have resulted in collectively generating multimillion dollar annual revenues for some of his past employers. Currently he is Vice President of Insurance Services Group for Bank of America.
Craig earned his BA in Mathematics from Boston College in 1978. He currently holds the Series 6 and 63 licenses and is a member of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Society of Financial Planning Professionals. He has been teaching as an adjunct faculty member in a CFP Board-Registered Program since 1998.
“It is not about financial services and products; It is about helping clients achieve their goals. The best financial planners give their clients the feeling that they truly understand.”
Calvin Chesson
Estate Planning Instructor
Calvin Chesson earned his Juris Doctorate (JD) from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and his BA in Business Administration from East Carolina University. He has had a diversified private practice of law in North Carolina, as well as acting as Assistant District Attorney in Superior Court. He has practiced in all trial and appellate courts in North Carolina, United States District Courts in the Western and Middle District of North Carolina as well as Bankruptcy Court. He also has extensive experience as a management consultant assisting large corporations with their accounting functions.
His teaching experience includes both graduate and undergraduate courses at a number of higher education institutions including The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
He is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association and Mecklenburg County Bar Association.
"An Estate Plan is the plan the client desires and not necessarily one the Estate Planner may prefer.”
David H. Le Maire CPA, CFP
Tax Planning Instructor
Dave is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a B.S. in Accountancy and is licensed to practice in North Carolina and Illinois. Dave is a member-in good-standing of both the AICPA and the North Carolina Association of CPA’s.
Dave completed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) ® certification process in 1993 and is a member-in-good-standing with both the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and the Financial Planning Association. Dave currently holds a North Carolina Insurance license as well as a series 7 and 63 issued by the NASD, registering him as securities broker. Dave is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) in North Carolina and Illinois.
Dave has worked for several Fortune 500 corporations in capacities ranging from controllership functions to Corporate Tax manager. He has been in public practice since 1990 as a partner in a regional CPA firm and most recently, since 1996, in public practice with a firm of his own name.
Dave has continuing involvement in several community programs and projects.
“I have a passion for what I do and the integrity with which I achieve it. It is my hope that the real world experiences I have had can add depth to the students understanding and carry over to their application of sound financial planning principals.”
Tom Pemberton, CFA, CFP®
Investment Planning Instructor
Tom is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a BS in Business. He is a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and Registered Investment Advisor.
Tom has served as Senior Vice President and Senior Trader for Bank of America. He has 35 years experience as a trust officer, portfolio manager, Euro Dollar term-book manager and foreign currency arbitrage trader with extensive experience in equities, fixed income, futures and foreign exchange. Tom operates a fee-based financial planning practice. Tom is an avid student of the economy and the markets .
"My goal is not only to prepare the student to take the CFP exam but hopefully to instill in them a love of the markets."
Bill McDonald, CFP®
Case Study / Capstone Class Instructor
Bill McDonald is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with over 12 years experience as a financial and investment advisor. Bill currently works at JJB Hilliard, WL Lyons Inc as a Financial Planning Specialist where he covers an eight state territory teaching and mentoring financial planners. Bill graduated from the State University of New York in 1990, earning a BA in Communication. He also holds the Chartered Wealth Advisor® designation granted jointly by Michigan State University and the Academy of Multi-Disciplinary Practice, as well as the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. He is currently studying Planned Giving with an eye toward becoming a Chartered Advisor for Philanthropy (CAP).
In addition, Bill has also created and installed a basic financial literacy course for school children, worked with non-profit organizations to develop planned giving programs and hosted a weekly call-in radio show on money management. Bill holds a Series 7 license as a Registered Securities Representative and a Series 24 license as a General Securities Principal. In addition, he is North Carolina Life, Accident and Health Licensed.
“Being a successful financial planner by its’ very nature involves a sincere desire to help others succeed. Teaching at UNCC allows me to help others in this business to grow and serve their clients better.”
To receive CPE or CEU credit, full participation is expected. Therefore, participants wishing to receive credit must sign in at the beginning of each class and be in attendance at the conclusion of each class. Participants who arrive late or leave a session early will have their credit hours adjusted accordingly.
Participants who attend the entire 215.25-instructional-hour program will be awarded 21.50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 257.5 CPE credits.
Continuing Professional Education (CPEs) for Accountants
Program Level - Intermediate
Prerequisites - None
Delivery Method – Lecture/Group/Live
Advanced Preparation – None
NASBA Subject Area- Finance
UNC Charlotte Continuing Education is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org
Programs are structured in accordance with the South Carolina Accountancy Board Regulation 1-17.
UNC Charlotte is now a Continuing Education Provider for CFP® professionals.
Click here to view our list of classes for which CE credit has been granted by the CFP Board.
Tuition for the entire UNC Charlotte Certified Financial Planner(TM) Certificate Program is $4,395.00. This does not include books. Participants should budget $700 - $1000 for books.
The registration fee will include refreshments and lunch during the Capstone Course on Saturdays. Parking is free.
TextbooksTextbooks can be purchased on campus at the UNC Charlotte Bookstore, Gray’s Bookstore or online. A list of required books with their ISBN number will be included in your confirmation packet. Students should budget $700 - $1000 for books.
Calculator
Students are required to bring a financial calculator to the first class meeting. The required calculator is the HP12C.
Registrants for the certificate program may pay the entire $4,395 fee, in full, at the time of registration, or may choose to participate in a "multi-payment plan."
Under the multi-payment plan, a participant must remit an initial payment (Payment #1) of $1,000 at the time he or she registers for the program in order to reserve a seat in the program. UNC Charlotte will then send the registrant a Payment Plan Agreement Form, which outlines payment amounts and due dates, as well as key refund/cancellation deadlines. Payment reminders will be sent out to those using the payment plan approximately two weeks before the next payment is due.
Additional payments will be due as follows:
· Payment #2. Amount Due: $2,000. Due Date: March 12, 2008 (received no later than 5:00 p.m.)
· Payment #3. Amount Due: $1,395. Due Date: April 2, 2008 (received no later than 5:00 p.m.)
· Total amount paid in three separate payments: $4,395
We will cancel the registration of individuals who fail to meet the payment deadlines under the multi-payment plan. Those people will forfeit their seats in the program. UNC Charlotte will refund any money we have received to that point.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Registrants canceling their registration, in writing to the Registration Center, prior to 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2008 will receive a refund of all money they have paid, and will owe no further payments to UNC Charlotte.
Registrants canceling their registration after 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2008 will not receive a refund of any money they have paid.
An individual who must cancel his or her registration, and is not entitled to a refund or owes the entire registration fee, may send a qualified substitute in his or her place, provided the substitute is identified to UNC Charlotte by April 15, 2008.
No refunds will be made for those who fail to attend the program.
Registrants choosing the "multi-payment plan" will be subject to the same cancellation/refund policy as participants paying the entire $4,395 fee at the time of registration.
Transfer: If you need to transfer your registration into another offering, we will be happy to arrange this provided space is available in the other program. If your request to transfer is received by 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2008, there will be no charge to complete the transfer. If your request is received after 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2008, there will be a late transfer charge of $395.
Substitutions are accepted at no cost if we are notified of the substitution before 5 p.m. one business days before a program begins.
Reservation of Rights
UNC Charlotte reserves the right to substitute instructors, change the day a program meets, change the location of a program, or cancel programs due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If UNC Charlotte must cancel a program, participants will be given a full refund of the registration fee. The University is not responsible for non-refundable plane fares, hotel and car deposits, or any other expenses incurred by registrants in programs.
For more information regarding refund, complaint and program cancellation policies, please contact UNC Charlotte Continuing Education at 704-687-8900 or by emailing CEregistration@uncc.edu.
Registration is closed.
Confirmation
The program fee is payable in advance. Registration is not complete and will not be confirmed until we receive full payment, a deposit and signed multi-payment plan, or company billing information, which will be acknowledged with a receipt, confirmation letter, map and parking information.
Accessibility
Reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be made available upon request for persons with disabilities. Accommodation requests must be specifically relayed at least two weeks prior to the start of the program. You must notify both the Office of Continuing Education and the UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services with accommodation requests.
Continuing Education Contact: The Registration Center
Email: ceregistration@uncc.edu
Phone: 704-687-8900
Disability Services Contact: Kristin Kolin
Email: kjkolin@uncc.edu
Phone: 704-687-3136
When calling the Office of Disability Services, please indicate the continuing education course you are taking.
Equality of Opportunity
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
How many classes may I miss and still receive the certificate?
If you miss more than two sessions with an individual module, you have missed too much time to satisfactorily complete that module. It is important to show up for every class, barring some unforeseen obstacle, such as an emergency or illness. We highly recommend asking another class member to take copious notes if you are going to be absent.
Please remember to sign in and out of each class each evening, so you will receive credit for being present. The University is legally required to track the attendance record for each student who receives continuing education credits.
What if I'm late to class?
Attendance is based on a total number of contact hours, so it is important to always come to class on time. Arriving late is disruptive for the instructor and other participants. Classes will begin at 6:00 pm sharp and will conclude at 9:00 pm. Quizzes are often given at the beginning of a class session, and getting to class later might result in missing a quiz.
What kind of grades do I need to finish the program successfully?
To receive the University’s certificate and continuing education units, students must pass each of the six course modules with a minimum grade of 75% AND they must also obtain an overall grade of 75% in all course modules combined. At the end of each course module, students will be given an examination on the material covered in that section of the program. Students will receive a letter notifying them of their score for each exam as well as their averages at that time.
What if I need to miss a Mid-Term or Final Exam?
If you miss a mid-term or final exam, you will need to email the Program Director at cwood35@uncc.edu to reschedule the exam. Exams may be rescheduled Monday thru Thursday, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
How will quizzes be counted and what if I miss a quiz?
Students are allowed to drop or throw away their two lowest grades on quizzes. If you miss a class in which a quiz is given, the missed test will count as one of the quizzes you drop.
What is the grading policy?
The grading system for each of the six course modules is as follows.
· Quizzes will count 10% (lowest two grades dropped)
· Mid term exam will count 25%
· Final exam will count 65%
· There is an exception in the seventh module, which is the Case Studies / Capstone Session which consists of 27 instructional hours. The final grade for this module is based on quizzes only, which count 100% (with the two lowest grades dropped).
· Students who score 50 or higher on a final exam are allowed a single opportunity to retake the final in an attempt to achieve a passing grade in that particular module. If, after the retake, a passing grade has not been achieved, students are required to resit the module the next time it is offered on a space available basis.
· Students who score 49 or below on a final exam are ineligible to retake the final and are required to resit the module the next time it is offered on a space available basis.
What is CFP® Certification?
CFP® Certification is a nationally and internationally recognized professional certification. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. awards the CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and to individuals that fulfill initial and ongoing certification requirements: satisfy the educational requirements, three to five years of work experience in a financial planning field, pass the CFP Certification Examination, compliance with CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, continuing education and recertification.
Why are the CFP® Certification Requirements Important?
Most people think that all financial planners are "certified," but this isn’t true. Anyone can call himself or herself a "financial planner." Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification marks. When selecting a financial planner, you need to feel confident that the person you choose to help you plan for your future is competent and ethical. The CFP® certification provides that sense of security by allowing only those who meet the following requirements the right to use the CFP certification marks.
What is the process of attaining the CFP ® certification?
In order to obtain the CFP ® certification, there are the four Es: Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics.
Education: CFP® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board. Other options for satisfying the education component include submitting a transcript review or previous financial planning-related course work to CFP Board for review and credit, or showing the attainment of certain professional designations or academic degrees.
***** Beginning in 2007, in addition to fulfilling the education requirement, a bachelor's degree in any discipline will be required in order to attain CFP certification. The college degree requirement is a condition of initial certification; it is not a requirement to be eligible to take the CFP® Certification Examination and does not have to occur before sitting for the exam or fulfilling the work experience. A bachelor's degree in any major from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university will be accepted, and evidence (photocopy of degree) will be required at the final stage of initial certification. Those individuals that successfully pass the educational requirements and pass the CFP® Exam have up to 5 years from the date of the exam to earn and submit evidence of a bachelor degree to the CFP Board.
Examination: CFP® practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, 10-hour CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
Experience: CFP® professionals must have three years minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP certification marks. As a result, CFP® practitioners possess financial counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.
Ethics: As a final step to certification, CFP® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, that sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP Board also performs a background check during this process, and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct.
What is Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards?
CFP Board is a nonprofit professional regulatory organization. CFP Board was founded in 1985 and exists to benefit the public by establishing and enforcing requirements for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ certificates. It is funded by the fees it collects for examination and certification. CFP Board also registers educational programs in financial planning. Registered educational programs, such as the CFP Certificate Program at UNC Charlotte, satisfy CFP Board’s educational requirement. For more information, visit www.cfp.net or call 303-830-7500.
What is the format of the CFP® Certification Exam?
The CFP® Certification Exam is a rigorous professional exam given over a two-day period for a total of 10 hours. The CFP® Certification Examination is a 10-hour examination, divided into one four-hour session (Friday afternoon) and two three-hour sessions (Saturday). The exam is offered three times a year – March, July and November.
The exam consists of multiple choice questions and three major case problems. The exam tests comprehension, synthesis and evaluation as well as knowledge of facts and terms.
What happens once I have become Certified?
Once certified, CFP® practitioners are required to maintain technical competence and fulfill ethical obligations. Every two years, they must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education to stay current with developments in the financial planning profession and better serve clients. Two of these hours are spent studying or discussing CFP Board’s Code of Ethics or Practice Standards. In addition to the biennial continuing education requirement, all CFP practitioners voluntarily disclose any public, civil, criminal or disciplinary actions that may have been taken against them during the previous two years as part of the renewal process.
Do I have to renew my certification?
Yes. Once you have been authorized to use the CFP marks, you must meet CFP Board's renewal standards to continue to use them. Your CFP® certification must be renewed every two years at the end of your renewal month in an odd or even year (based on your birth date.) In order to position you in the correct period, your initial continuing education (CE) requirement and renewal fee are prorated.
The renewal requirements are 1) renewal application, 2) $360 renewal fee (non-refundable), and 3) 30 hours of CE. The CE requirement includes 28 hours in the accepted financial planning topics and two hours from a pre-approved program on CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility or Financial Planning Practice Standards. CE hours may be reported to CFP Board as they are completed by logging in to CFP Board's Web site.
The renewal fee helps cover the costs associated with ethics enforcement, protection of the marks against infringement, maintenance of professional standards of practice and public awareness activities related to the CFP marks.
Notification of your renewal requirements will be sent to you approximately four months before your certification expires.
How much does the CFP Certification Exam cost?
The fee for the examination is $595 and can be paid with a credit card. If you do not pass the exam, you are required to retake the entire exam again. There is no limit on the number of times you retake the exam; however, the $595 fee is required for each retake.
When is the CFP(R) Certification Examination administered? What is the deadline for application?
| Exam Dates | Application Dates | |
| March 28-29, 2008 | February 6, 2008 | |
| July 18-19, 2008 | June 4, 2008 |
Do you maintain official Course records?
Yes. UNC Charlotte Office of Continuing Education maintains an official transcript for each student who completes the CFP® Certificate Program. Requests for copies of official transcripts should be directed to the Registration Center at 704-687-8900 or email CEregistration@uncc.edu.
Program & Registration Questions
For Program-Specific Questions:
Please call Crystal Wood at 704-687-8956 or email CFplanner@uncc.edu.
For Registration Questions:
Please call the Registration Center at 704-687-8900 or 1-877-741-0134 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email CEregistration@uncc.edu.
The Certified Financial Planner(TM) Certificate Program is VA approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency. Prospective applicants pursuing VA benefits must follow normal registration procedures and payment options in order to be officially registered for the Paralegal Certificate Program. Qualified applicants should notify the Registration Center (ceregistration@uncc.edu or 704-687-8900) of their intentions at the time of registration. Application for reimbursement under VA Benefits should be made to UNC Charlotte's Veteran Services Office at 704-687-3660 or veteranservice@uncc.edu.
704-687-8900 or send us an email.
The Office of Continuing Education is a part of
Continuing Education, Extension & Summer Programs
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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The Office of Continuing Education