This course introduces the professional and technical content of personal financial planning. It emphasizes the identification and quantification of financial objectives and the interrelated facets of a wide range of technical material. Topics include data gathering, income taxation, investment analysis and procedure, insurance, employment benefit plans, debt management, estate planning and cash-flow management. This course also covers the ethics, strategies and processes of professional practice and CFP® standards of practice. Included in the course work is an introduction to some basic concepts of economics.

The focus of this course will be to provide the basic framework of knowledge about the financial planning profession and the exciting career opportunities of being a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Practitioner.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, you should be able to

• Have a good understanding of the career opportunities and career paths for CFP® practitioners. Students will be introduced to various professionals and business models
• Be able to evaluate how clients’ beliefs, culture, and psychology influence financial behavior
• Know how to implement the technical, business and communication skills utilized by a personal financial planning practitioner
• Have a cursory knowledge of several subject areas required of a CFP® including: Income Tax, Investments, Risk Management, College Funding, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning
• Understand the background and the business, structural, and regulatory environment in which the personal financial planning profession operates and, in particular, that of a CFP®
• Be comfortable with the basic economic principals such and supply and demand, GDP, the business cycle, interest rates, exchange rates
• Be familiar with the steps involved in the personal financial planning process and recognize unethical practices based on the CFP® Board Standards of Professional Conduct.

Note(s) A financial calculator, such as the HP12-C or equivalent is required.