1. Financial Planners Standards Council
A sure-footed Guide to the
financial planning profession. Take the
next step.

2. A sure-footed Guide to a career in the financial planning profession
“I have spread my dreams
under your feet.”William ButlerYeats Frequently Asked Questions Try us on for size.
Who is Financial budgeting and much
Planners Standards more. For a complete list
Council? of topic areas, visit the
Financial Planners FPSC Web site.
Standards Council is a
The skills of a CFP
not-for-profit organization
professional include:
established in 1995 to
foster professionalism • Professionalism
in personal financial through objectivity,
planning. FPSC’s mission integrity and
is to benefiting the public confidentiality;
by leading the evolution
Choosing a career of the financial planning
profession in Canada by
developing, enforcing
• Observing, gathering,
analyzing and
computing data;
and promoting the • Translating data into
highest competency and innovative solutions
that works with your life. ethical standards in and opportunities;
financial planning. • Precision and
What is financial planning? All individuals who are accuracy – paying
Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC) annually awarded the attention to detail;
defines personal financial planning as the process of right to use the CFP™ • Problem solving –
It’s all about the fit. creating strategies, considering all relevant aspects of
a client’s financial situation, to manage financial
affairs to meet life goals.
marks by FPSC meet
these standards on an
ongoing basis. FPSC is
applying appropriate
strategies and drawing
accurate conclusions;
the sole licensor of the
• Logical and abstract
What does a financial planner do? CFP™ marks in Canada.
thinking;
Financial planners use an integrated, multi-disciplined
What knowledge • Strong written and oral
So what’s Financial Planning like ? The answers might surprise you. approach to help their clients gain perspective on
their personal finances.
and skills
do financial
communication skills;
• Ability to listen and
Through conversations and research, the client and planners have? work well with others;
Erika Penner, CFP Christopher Hatherly, CFP
below below planner assess where the client is, determine where Financial planners and
“Finances are a “If you enjoy working the client may want or need to be at any time in the who earn the CFP • Dedication to staying
critical component of with people, give some future, and together develop a plan to get the client designation have acquired aware of changes in the
everyone’s life. As a serious consideration to there. They may also help their clients put plans the breadth and depth economic, political and
CFP professional, you becoming a financial into action. Professional planners usually develop of knowledge and skills regulatory environment
guide your clients planner. The CFP long-term relationships with their clients, paying necessary to serve
through many phases of designation has helped
and engage in
attention to how their clients’ wants and needs may their clients’ interests continuous professional
their lives to help achieve differentiate me from competently and ethically.
their goals. There is others.”
change over a lifetime. development.
never a dull moment!” They have proven
What is the CFP™ designation?
Peter Andreana, CFP Anthony Windeyer, CFP Tina Tehranchian, CFP The internationally recognized “CFP” marks, knowledge in a variety
above above above including CFP™, Certified Financial Planner™ and of topics including
“Being a CFP professional “The truth is it’s all about “The most gratifying identify individuals who are committed economics, taxation,
gives my clients the love and responsibility. thing about working as
to the highest level of competence and retirement saving vehicles
peace of mind that People plan for their a CFP professional is and financial products,
they are dealing with future because they’re seeing the positive ethics in professional financial planning.
pension plans, relevant
someone who has the responsible and love impact that my advice
laws and legal issues,
ethics, skill set and someone. When that’s can make on my clients’
experience to help them the basis for meeting lives.”
reach their life goals.” people, you can’t help
but be fulfilled.”

3. A sure-footed Guide to a career in the financial planning profession
“The longest journeys begin
with a single step.”Chinese proverb Two Ways to Go. Review the details.
FPSC Accredited Education Path Some candidates will • Professional accountants
choose to work full-time (CA, CGA, CMA)
EDUCATION in the financial services • Chartered Financial
There are 27 education programs directly accredited by industry while completing Analyst (CFA)
FPSC that are delivered through distance and in-class their educational
• Chartered Life
courses by 22 institutions (including colleges and requirement. Others
universities). Some program providers have entered Underwriter (CLU)
choose to study full-time,
into academic partnerships expanding the number of successfully pass the CFP • Lawyer (Member of
institutions that offer courses of study leading to the Examination and then provincial law society)
CFP designation to over 70. meet the work experience • PhDs in finance,
requirements. The choice business or economics
Although FPSC sets the academic program is up to you
FPSC Accredited
requirements, it does not control which certificate, Where to look for
diploma or degree will be awarded upon completion
ETHICS, PRACTICE
more details
of any of the approved programs. All programs vary in STANDARDS and The CFP Candidates
cost, length and delivery format. With some research CONTINUING EDUCATION section of the FPSC Web
you can find the program that meets your financial and site at www.cfp-ca.org
When you have met the
Education Path.
educational needs. has the most current
education, examination
EXPERIENCE and work experience information and resources
Once you have completed an approved education requirements, you are to get you ready to take
program, you qualify to write the CFP Examination eligible to be awarded the the next step. Here you’ll
that is set and administered by FPSC. The examination CFP designation. Once find:
On track for success. is offered twice a year in both official languages in
locations across Canada.
To complete the CFP professional certification program,
you are licensed to use
the CFP marks, you are
required to abide by the
standards of ethics and
• Examination and
licensing forms;
• The list and contact
you must also acquire two years of related work practice set by FPSC, and information of FPSC
experience within five years before or after successfully to continue your Approved Education
passing the CFP Examination. education throughout Providers;
your career to keep your • Career Centre:
knowledge and skills an interactive e-mail
Path to the CFP™ Designation relevant.
Approved Prior
Q&A resource;
• Job site: online postings
of jobs and resumes;
Credentials Policy
• Discussion Forums:
EDUCATION WORK EXAM ETHICS LICENCE Adherence to If you already hold one of
places to network with
FPSC CODE the following professional
REQUIREMENTS EXPERIENCE like minded individuals
designations or
Offered by FPSC Two years of work Agree to abide OF ETHICS educational credentials
to form study groups
▲
▲
▲
▲
▲
registered program experience may be by FPSC Code and annual and share resources; and
and have accumulated
providers in distance completed before or of Ethics. CONTINUING • A list of course review
three years of personal
and/or classroom after writing the CFP workshops and study
settings. Examination. EDUCATION financial planning related
requirements work experience, you are seminars to help you
eligible to write the CFP get ready to take the
▲ Examination. All other
licensing requirements
next step.
Browse through the rest
apply.
of the site for more
information on financial
If you already have the right experience and credentials,you can planning, FPSC and the
CFP™ designation.
start right here.Check out the Approved Prior Credentials Policy.

4. A sure-footed Guide to a career in the financial planning profession
“He who has imagination
without learning has wings Hire Education. Organizations seeking CFP professionals today.
but no feet.” Joseph Joubert Adecco Financial Staffing Limited Heath Lambert Benefits Peter Watson Investments
Consulting Inc.
AGFA Primerica Financial
Hepcoe CU Services
Aim/Trimark
Hill & Crawford Prince Albert Credit
Algonquin College
Investment Management Union
Alodium Financial Group Inc
HR/RH INC. Ray & Berndtson
Ashton College Executive Search
RBC Bank
Bank of Bermuda HSBC Asset Management
RBC Dominion Securities
Bank of Montreal (Canada) Limited
RBC Insurance
Bannatyne Investment ING
RBC Investments
Judge the CFP Berkshire Investment Group Inc.
Blair L. Botsford, Barrister & Solicitor
Investia Financial Services
Investors Group
KPMG LLP
Ryan Lamontagne Inc.
Salmon Arm Savings and
BMO Nesbitt Burns Credit Union
botsfordLAW Landmark Consulting
Saskatchewan Public
designation by the CDSPI
CFO Financial Planning
Laurentian Financial
Services Investments
LFS – Laurentian
Service Commission
SB & C Financial Growth
ScotiaMcLeod
CIBC Group Of Companies Financial Services
CIBC Wood Gundy Seneca College
Lighthouse Wealth
companies we keep. Clarica
Coast Capital Savings
Management Ltd
LSM Consulting
Septen Financial
SISIP Financial Planning
Credit Union Spherion
Courte Insurance & St. Willibrord
Fianancial Services Inc. Community CU
CPA Financial Services Inc. Streamline Consulting
Credential Group TD Canada Trust
Picture the CFP Designation in your career. ™
Credit Unions of Saskatchewan TD Waterhouse Financial
Planning
Datile Securities
PPI FINANCIAL Dundee Private Investors Inc. Teachers Credit Union
ANNOUNCEMENT GROUP
Dundee Securities Corp. The Public Employees’
Benefits Agency of the
E.E.S. Financial Services MNK Financial Services Department of Finance
GROWTH OPPORTUNITY Edward Jones Money Concepts The Roche Financial
FINANCIAL PLANNING PRACTICE
Enterprise Partners Group
Lisa M. Bell, CFP
Senior Financial Consultant Financial Planner/Branch Manager Murrick Insurance/
Bill Evans, Regional Investors Group Financial
This is an outstanding opportunity
for a high integrity professional
Financial Finesse Inc. Assante Financial TWC Financial
growth of our business.
with future potential, to assist in the
Director for Investors Group Services Inc. is an affiliate of
Financial Services is pleased Investors Group Inc.– one of
and risk management
to announce Lisa Bell has
achieved the position of
the largest financial services
companies in the country. We’ve built a solid reputation as wealth
integrity and experience in Financial Partners National Bank of Canada VanCity Credit Union
Senior Financial Consultant. For over 70 years, Investors professionals. Our clients trust our
They value our quality financial
business, estate, and tax analysis.
Group has been a pioneer in
Lisa has achieved a high offering a comprehensive funds, GICs, insurance, and Wainwright
products (wealth management, mutual Office of the Public
level of specialized
knowledge in financial,
array of financial products
and services. Today, we others). Focus Wealth Strategies
insurance and taxation
matters which will ensure the
manage over $40 billion in
mutual fund assets for over a Your initial role in this commission-ba
sed position will be to ensure Guardian & Trustee Credit Union Ltd.
clients (yours and ours), as
best possible service is
provided to our many clients
million Canadians.
continued quality of service to existing
goal is to assume the role of
Freedom55 Financial
well as developing new clients. Your WFG Securities
Branch Manager. OTG Investments
As an entrepreneurial, committed
team player, you should have an George Brown College of Canada Inc.
in assets, university degree,
existing client base of about $10M
CFP, 3-5 years experie nce, and management capabilities.
Sandy Cardy, CA, CFP Page and Associates
KEVIN WARK, CFP Glen W Gryzko Professional Corporation Windsor Family
James A. Burton, Chairman David Feather, President, Partners in Planning Credit Union
and Chief Executive Officer Mackenzie Financial Services Inc., Growth Financial/Castlegar Savings CU
of PPI Financial Group, is is pleased to announce the appoint- Perler Financial/ World Financial Group
pleased to announce the ment of Sandy Cardy, CA, CFP, as Harmony Capital Group CMG-Worldsource
appointment of Kevin Walk,
Insurance of Canada
Vice President, Tax and Estate
CFP, to the position of Senior Advisory services. Ms Cardy brings
Vice-President, Business

5. Take the career shopping list test.
I enjoy helping people
I like problem solving
I can look at the“big”picture
I enjoy paying attention to detail
I want to be a“professional”
I want a career that conforms to my lifestyle
I want a career that is in demand
I have considered a career as a financial planner
You’re ready.Take the next step:
read our career brochure.
Take the
Financial Planners Standards Council next step.
505 University Ave., Suite 1600, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X3
Telephone: 416.593.8587 Fax: 416.593.6903
Toll free: 1 800.305.9886
E-mail: inform@cfp-ca.org Web site: www.cfp-ca.org
CFP and Certified Financial Planner certification marks are used by
FPSC under a license agreement with the CFP Board of Standards, Inc.