You will learn how to:
- Explain the importance of the six steps in the financial planning process to clients
- Identify clients financial goals and constraints to develop and customize their financial plan
- Develop a savings plan emphasizing the importance of outlining net worth, cash flow, and saving strategies
- Analyze legal considerations related to property ownership
- Demonstrate the importance of asset allocation and risk management when recommending investment solutions for clients
- Estimate retirement income needs and determine if those needs can be met with the clients available resources
- Explain the benefits estate planning techniques to individuals, families and small business owners.
- Explain the potential impact of life events, such as divorce (Family Law) on the estate planning process
- Develop a financial planning strategy to meet the clients’ needs and objectives
Learning Experience
CSI’s online learning system helps you meet your study goals. You'll benefit from:
- Interactive resources as well as textbook materials in PDF format.
- Online activities including standalone review questions to help you reinforce your learning and identify topics that may need to be revisited during exam preparation.
- A comprehensive financial planning activity that walks you through the step by step process of preparing and presenting a financial plan.
- Course updates to ensure you’re learning the most current and up-to-date practical material in your studies.
- Online assistance from CSI's academic support specialists.
| Approximate Hours of Study** | |
|---|---|
| Hours of Study | 110 - 150 hours |
** In order to provide some guidance to course participants as to the length of time it will take to be sufficiently prepared to write the final examination, CSI has prepared this estimate of the number of hours an average participant could possibly expect to spend studying for a course. Please note that these are only recommended hours of study developed based on research and our course content, however, this does not mean that some students with exceptional backgrounds would not take less time than recommended or that students with no background at all in finance or economics would not take longer than the maximum. It is important to have a thorough understanding of all of the concepts and mathematical calculations contained in the text prior to attempting the final exam.
| EXAM WEIGHTINGS (weightings are approximate) |
|
|---|---|
| Financial Planning Practice | 10% |
| Savings Planning & Debt Management | 10% |
| Investment and Tax Planning | 10% |
| Insurance Planning | 10% |
| Retirement Planning | 20% |
| Estate Planning | 10% |
| Family Law | 15% |
| Financial Planning for Small Business | 15% |
| EXAM INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Exams | 1 |
| Exam Format | Paper Based or Computer Based |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice |
| Questions Per Exam | 60 |
| Attempts Allowed Per Exam | 3* |
| Passing Grade | 60% |
| Assignments | None |
| ENROLMENT PERIOD | |
|---|---|
| Enrolment Period | 1 year† |
*There is no charge for your first attempt at a paper-based exam within Canada, as long as it's at a regular exam center and you provide a minimum of 14 days notice before the date that you want to write the exam. If you would like to write a computer-based exam, an additional fee will be required.
Each subsequent paper-based exam attempt at a regular exam centre within Canada will also require an additional fee. This fee is in addition to any special, computer-based or international fees that may apply. You must provide a minimum of 14 days notice within Canada at a regular exam centre and 4 weeks notice for all other centres. Please note that the date of the exam is not part of any notice period.
†Please note: Access to your online materials will close 2 weeks after successful course completion or course expiry (whichever comes first). This course can be extended by 1 year provided you have not exceeded the attempts allowed for each exam. Extension fees apply. Your enrolment period can only be extended one time.
Important: During a student's enrolment period, CSI may update this course. In that case, details about the update and how it may affect students will be posted online via My CSI. Students are held responsible for and are examinable on the content in the course textbook(s) provided at the time of enrollment unless stated otherwise in My CSI. Students are encouraged to check My CSI regularly throughout their enrolment period. Please note that a certificate will not be issued upon completion of this course.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits
Click the links below or the buttons at the top of the page on the right side to access CE accreditation information. To search for specific course information, press Ctrl + F and then enter the course name to search the document for the information you are interested in.
National/Provincial (Excluding Quebec)
Download CE Chart (PDF, 163 kb)
Quebec (IQPF/CSF)
Download IQPF/CSF Chart (PDF, 182 kb)
Please note: While CSI makes every effort to ensure that the information is up-to-date, we are unfortunately unable to fully guarantee its accuracy. The information listed in the charts above may be subject to change.
More detailed information on CE Credits are available.