Certified Financial Planner Syllabus & Subjects

The Certified Financial Planner course syllabus is designed by the Financial Planning Standards Board, the official conducting body of the Certified Financial Planner exam. 

The Certified Financial Planner course is exam based and students above the age of 18 can pursue this course. The duration of the course is between six months and two semesters wherein all the modules have to be completed by qualifying the Certified Financial Planner exams.

The Certified Financial Planner course subjects offer students a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum fundamentals. It is a one-year certificate program designed to equip students with the professional skills needed to meet global finance market standards. The Certified Financial Planner course does not include elective courses; instead, it focuses on core financial principles and related areas. Students study these subjects over two semesters to enhance the course's flexibility. 

A total of six modules are there in the Certified Financial Planner course syllabus. There are various topics from which the questions are asked in the certification examination such as financial planning, retirement planning, risk analysis, insurance planning, tax planning, estate planning etc.

The Certified Financial Planner course has two eligibility pathways, Regular Pathway and the Challenge Status Pathway. There are various specializations offered under the Certified Financial Planner course such as Investment Planning, Retirement and Tax Planning, Risk & Estate Planning etc. and the syllabus for them includes topics like wealth distribution goals, risk exposures, tax strategies, accounting standards and research, financial management strategies, behavioral finance etc. 

Certified Financial Planner Course Structure

The Certified Financial Planner course structure is designed by FPSB wherein six modules have to be completed by qualifying five exams. 

The exam 1–4 assesses a candidate's proficiency in individual aspects of Financial Planning. Candidates may attempt these exams in any sequence. Eligibility to take the final exam, the exam 5, is granted only after successfully completing all component exams. The exam format consists of objective multiple-choice questions, disjointed for component exams and intricately linked to case studies that simulate real-life financial scenarios for households aiming to achieve financial goals. 

The table below provides detailed information about the Certified Financial Planner course structure:

Key Points:

• Module-I covers the fundamentals of Financial Planning, including the process, practice standards, professional conduct, code of ethics, and financial mathematics. This module constitutes 20% of each component exam (Exam 1–4) and 14% of the Advanced Financial Planning exam (Exam 5).
• In the Advanced Financial Planning Exam, other component weights are as follows: Insurance 18%, Retirement 16%, Investment 32%, and Tax & Estate matters 20%.
• The marks categories, arranged in increasing order, signify the complexity and difficulty level of each item. They aim to assess the extent of information or knowledge, clarity of concepts, basic skills, analytical skills, and advanced analytical skills, including strategy evaluation and synthesis.

The Certified Financial Planner course is structured around core subjects and spans two semesters. The syllabus is meticulously crafted to impart students with the essential skills and knowledge in the field. Emphasizing industrial relevance, the syllabus aims to equip students with the abilities required to meet professional demands. The course framework for Certified Financial Planning includes:

• Two semesters
• Core subjects
• Project submission
• Three specialist certifications
• Capstone project submissions

The Certified Financial Planner syllabus is structured semester-wise to offer students a flexible understanding of the finance world. It exposes candidates to a wide array of concepts, primarily centered on financial planning and investment. Throughout the one-year duration of the course, both semesters concentrate solely on core subjects. Below is the semester-wise syllabus for the Certified Financial Planner course:

The Certified Financial Planner courses for financial planners who want to eat their clients by helping them in planning their futures from a financial perspective. It is one of the most versatile professions in India. 

Numerous specializations are offered under this course that are provided in the table below. Along with the specializations, the course details and important topics are also listed.

The teaching methodologies and techniques for the Certified Financial Planner syllabus are diverse, tailored to accommodate the dynamic nature of the course. In addition to traditional lecture-based instruction, students are also trained in skills such as advertising, marketing, and paraplanning. These varied teaching approaches are implemented to ensure that students are equipped to meet the diverse professional demands of the industry. Common teaching methodologies and techniques for Certified Financial Planner subjects include:

• Class lectures
• Skill development training
• Seminar lectures
• Computer lab work
• Conceptualized learning
• Workshops on finance and planning

Certified Financial Planner projects are assigned to students to cultivate critical and analytical skills within core domains. The hands-on experience acquired through project work enhances candidates' readiness for the professional industry. Recruiters often assess project topics and may offer roles based on candidates' analysis and approach. Below are some popular Certified Financial Planner project topics:

• The future of mutual funds
• Effective financial control management and its impact on SMEs
• Analysis of public attitudes towards wealth management
• Public perception of 21st-century government policies
• Comparison between public and private mutual funds
• Strategies for handling non-performing assets

Certified Financial Planner course textbooks offer students fundamental knowledge on various core concepts of the course. It's essential for students to thoroughly analyze the course materials before making a purchase decision. Accessing online versions of reference books whenever feasible can help reduce the overall cost. It is always advised to study from the latest edition of reference books.

Below are some popular Certified Financial Planner reference books

Also Read: Short Term Courses in Finance in India