What is CFP® Certification?
 The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM - CFP® mark is a prestigious and highly respected professional designation labeled as the “Gold Standard” in the financial planning and wealth management industries globally.
The CFP® certification, first established in the U.S. in 1972, has become the industry’s most recognized professional designation. The program equips individuals with all the tools to be capable and confident of providing professional advice that meet strict international standards with regards to all aspects of financial and wealth planning.
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| How can Module 1 program benefit those considering signing up |
How important is it to gain knowledge and experience in the industry |
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What can practitioners expect to
learn in Module 1 |
Words of Advice for those undecided to sign up for FPs Program |
Module 1 (AFPCM) is highly recommended for self-enrichment.
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Click to read more on the intermediate level - AWPCM Certification Program
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner you will boost your expertise, your credibility with clients and your long-term earning power. According to a recent study by Cerulli Associates, advisors agree that benefits include:
CFP® certification offers great value for financial advisors. Your peers agree, educational background is one of the most important drivers of success for a financial planning career. In fact, educational background in particular rose from 38% of respondents ranking it as a major driver of success to almost 50%.
(1) Source: Cerulli Associates, 2009 Survey of Trends in the Financial Planning Industry
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The CFP® designation stands out because of the rigorous education, examination, extensive industry experience, and continuation education requirements as well as its code of ethics.
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CFP® practitioners had to adhere to high standards of competence and professional ethical practices. A CFP® is highly sought after for their trained ability to provide the public with comprehensive and steadfast holistic financial advice.
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The strength of the CFP® mark lies in the broad-based qualification that is independent of any one industry, and therefore CFP® practitioners are recognized to be objective professionals because of their unbiased and practical approach.
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A CFP® is known as resilient and professional. There are currently 147,822 CFP® professionals worldwide in 24 territories and this number is rising rapidly.
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In Asia, there is a growing number of about 47,545 CFP® certificants!
Individuals who wish to attain the CFP® Professional License must meet all four of the certification requirements, namely the four E's:
- Education
Enroll for the CFP® Certification Program with an approved education program by completing a comprehensive course of study that meets standards set by FPAS.
[Fulfillment of annual continuing education requirements to keep abreast of planning strategies and trends are required for the CFP® license only.]
- Examination
Successful completion of all 6 Modules of the CFP® Certification Program within 7 years as required by FPAS. Assesses candidates’ ability to apply integrated financial knowledge to real client situations.
- Experience
Satisfy 3 years of relevant work experience to ensure candidates possess financial counseling skills in addition to knowledge.
[The AFPCM and AWPCM licenses do not impose minimum work experience.]
- Ethics
Agree to abide by a professional Code of Ethics and Practice Standards stipulated for all FPAS members that defines responsibilities to the public, clients and employers.
Who Should Enrol
- For individuals who wish to stand out and gain credibility amongst the public and their peers with the highly respected professional AFPCM, AWPCM and CFP® designation(s) in the following capacities such as:
- Consumer Bankers
- Private Bankers
- Financial Advisors/ Consultants
- Wealth Managers
- Insurance Advisors/ Specialists
- Retirement Specialists
- Accountants
- Trust Officers/ Estate Planners
- Lawyers
- Investment Advisors/ Portfolio Managers
- For graduates seeking highly rewarding career opportunities in the financial advisory and wealth management industries.
- For YOU who aspire to gain insights on securing your desired lifestyle or fulfilling your financial dreams! The certification also provides an excellent opportunity for participants from the non-finance industry to be exposed to more sophisticated tools of financial and wealth planning.
Embark now on this exciting journey beginning with Module 1 – Foundations in Financial Planning of the CFP® Certification Program.
Benefits Of The CFP® Program
- Gain insights on securing your financial dreams
- Learn and apply all aspects of the financial planning process
- Develop expertise in insurance, investments, retirement, tax and estate planning
- Obtain the most internationally prestigious and globally recognized financial planning designation
- Attain a broad-based qualification that is useful in the financial & wealth management industries
- Earn your credibility with the public
- Provide better service to clients with your enhanced knowledge
- Increase your work productivity and efficiency
- Enhance your career growth and professional experience
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The Curriculum
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A Singapore localized and comprehensive curriculum devoted to all areas of financial planning that are essential to developing a sound, client-based financial plan.
The six course modules are:
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Module 1:
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Foundations in Financial Planning
The first module is a self-contained course (also referred to as the AFPcm Certification Program), covering a broad range of professional financial topics that form the foundations of the career of any financial services professional. This module is comprehensive and provides a complete overview of the financial/ wealth planning process, a review of all the financial products and instruments, as well as a review of the legal, ethical and regulatory issues affecting financial planning in Singapore. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to earn the AFPcm certification whilst continuing on with the remaining modules leading to the CFP® certification.
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Module 2:
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Risk Management and Insurance Planning
The transfer of risk through the use of insurance is a principal method of handling risk exposures. This module examines the principles of risk management and insurance to identify a client’s risk exposures and to select appropriate risk management techniques. This module also reviews insurance contracts pertaining to both life and general products, and provides practical insurance checklists. Analysis of medical disability and life insurance needs and methods of determining products best suited to clients’ needs are also examined.
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Module 3:
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Tax Planning and Estate Planning
Taxes can affect various financial decisions and having knowledge of tax laws and related issues will generally enhance the effectiveness of a financial/ wealth planner. This module aims to increase a student’s knowledge and skills in the area of tax planning, by providing an overview of the major components of tax. Estate Planning is a critical element of a complete financial plan and students are introduced to the process of developing an estate plan.
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Module 4:
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Investment Planning
Having the knowledge to evaluate and choose the right investments is basic to the implementation of a sound financial plan. This module reviews all categories of investments, client assessment techniques, economic factors, risks and return analysis, valuation methods, asset allocation techniques, portfolio management, investment strategies and performance evaluation methods.
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Module 5:
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Retirement Planning
As Singapore’s population ages, it is critical that financial service professionals know how to advise clients to achieve a secure retirement through proper planning. This module teaches retirement needs, analysis techniques and the process to be used when developing a retirement plan. Retirement considerations for the self-employed, retirement counseling, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and other schemes will also be reviewed.
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Module 6:
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Financial Plan Construction and Professional Responsibilities
This final module builds upon the earlier modules and integrates all aspects of personal finances that are required for constructing a comprehensive financial plan. Students will learn how to gather and analyze client data, develop, recommend and implement appropriate strategies, and finally the important aspects related to the ongoing assessment of financial plans.
A review of the legal, ethical and regulatory issues affecting financial/ wealth planners will also be covered. This includes client-centered, problem-solving method using case studies to give students a hands-on approach to the study material.
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The basis for the CFP® Program is a client-centered, problem-solving approach emphasizing practical applications by using real-life case studies. Equal emphasis is given to all financial planning disciplines.
Students gain technical knowledge and proficiency in these disciplines and are then well equipped to engage in the financial planning process on behalf of their clients.
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CFP® Program Structure
AFPCM - Associate Financial Planner
[Introductory]
Module 1: Foundations in Financial Planning
The AFPCM certification is an entry-level certification obtained after the successful completion of the Module 1 of the CFP® Certification Program. It certifies that the individual is competent to recommend general financial planning strategies and advise on the selection and use of appropriate financial products, e.g. insurance, unit trusts and a broad range of securities and banking products.
AWPCM - Associate Wealth Planner
[Intermediate]
Module 1: Foundations in Financial Planning
Module 4: Investment Planning
Module 5: Retirement Planning
The AWPCM certification is obtained after successfully completing Modules 1, 4 & 5 of the CFP® Certification Program. It certifies that the individual has the expertise to advise on retirement planning, wealth accumulation and preservation strategies, in addition to the capability to recommend general financial planning solutions.
CFP® - CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM
[Advanced]
Module 1: Foundations in Financial Planning
Module 2: Risk Management and Insurance Planning
Module 3: Tax Planning and Estate Planning
Module 4: Investment Planning
Module 5: Retirement Planning
Module 6: Financial Plan Construction and Professional Responsibilities
The CFP® certification is obtained after successful completion of all 6 Modules of the CFP® Certification Program. The CFP® mark is internationally recognized and is the most highly sought after professional designation by financial planners and wealth managers globally.
CFP® practitioners are qualified to provide professional advice with regard to all aspects of financial/ wealth planning and to write comprehensive financial plans that meet strict international standards. By adhering to ethical standards, financial planning professionals agree to provide financial planning in the interests of clients and with the highest ethical and professional standards.
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Course Information 
marks. The CFP® certification is granted only by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd and Financial Planning Association of Singapore to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this FPAS’ Education Provider, have met the ethics, experience and examination requirements.