Financial Planning Certificate

Overview

Professional financial advisors and individuals responsible for preserving wealth need to continually update their knowledge of the broad range of financial instruments available. Insurance agents, real estate agents, stockbrokers, accountants, and tax lawyers typically focus on one area of an individual's financial picture. On the other hand, generalist financial planners take a broad-based approach to provide comprehensive financial advice and assistance to their clients.

The Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program, offered by ADVOCIS (merger of CAIFA and CAFP) in partnership with NAIT, provides training in all of the diverse areas needed to become a financial planning practitioner. In addition, it allows those who have previously focused their careers on one area of investment advice, to broaden their scope, build upon their prior professional experience, and expand the breadth and value of their services. The program, in whole or in part, may also be of value to those individuals who simply want a better understanding of the increasingly complex financial world, and wish to gain the knowledge that will enable them to structure their financial affairs to best suit their needs and objectives.

The certificate program consists of four comprehensive courses recognized by the FPSC (Financial Planners Standards Council), developed by ADVOCIS and offered, in partnership, with NAIT's Continuing Education Department. The courses are delivered in thirteen-week semesters and students are expected to spend an additional six to eight hours per week in self-study. Students are not encouraged to take more than one course/semester as course content is relatively sequential.