CFP Course: Fees 2023, Admission, Top Colleges, Modules and Exams

Updated on Mar 15, 2022 09:10 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtContent Writer

Certified Financial Planner is also known as CFP is a certification course offered by Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). The duration of the course is from 6 months to two years. Candidates desiring to have a career in Finance must pursue the certification course to enhance skills in financial planning, education and ethics. Candidates can apply for CFP course after completing 12th. CFP certification course is divided into five modules. The exam can be given in two pathways: Regular and Challenge Status. The eligibility criteria for both pathways vary. To obtain certification in CFP candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria and complete all the modules as mentioned here.  

Table of Contents
  1. Types of CFP Course 
    • 1.1 Regular Pathway 
    • 1.2 Challenge Status Pathway 
  2. CFP Exam Structure 
  3. FAQs on CFP 

Types of CFP Course 

CFP certification course can be pursued under two pathways: 

  • Regular Pathway 
  • Challenge Status Pathway 

Regular Pathway 

To obtain a CFP certification through a regular pathway candidate must have completed 12th and clear all the five exams inclusive of six modules.  

Module 

Subjects 

Topics 

Module 1 

Introduction To Financial Planning 

  • The 6-Step Financial Planning Process 
  • Financial Management- General Principles and Behavioral Finance 
  • Financial Mathematics 
  • FPSB Ltd.'s Financial Planner Code of Ethics, Professional 
  • Responsibility and Model Rule of Conduct 

Module 2 

Risk Analysis & Insurance Planning 

  • Concepts of Insurance and Risk Management 
  • Insurance Contract and Legal Liability 
  • Life Insurance- Analysis of Life Cover, Strategies and Products 
  • General Insurance- Property, Health and Liability Insurance 
  • Regulatory Framework of Insurance 

 

Module 3 

Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits 

  • Employee Benefits and Superannuation Benefits 
  • Life Cycle Analysis, Retirement Needs and Factors in Planning 
  • Creation and Sustenance of Retirement Fund- Risk Profiling, Strategies Adopted and Modified through Life Stages 
  • Provident Fund and Pension Schemes 
  • Pension Sector Reforms and Regulatory Framework of Retirement Solutions 

Module 4 

Investment Planning 

  • Investment Products Universe and their Applications 
  • Risk Profiling of Products and Investors- Asset Allocation Determination 
  • Goal-based Investment Planning, Measuring and Managing Risks, Analysis of Returns 
  • Investment Strategies and Portfolio Management 
  • Regulatory Aspects- Investment Products and Investment Advisory 

 

Module 5 

Tax Planning & Estate Planning 

  • Features of Indian Tax System and Direct Taxes 
  • Personal Taxation and Business Taxation- Computation and Tax Efficiency 
  • Taxation of Various Financial Products and Transactions, Tax Planning Strategies 
  • Estate Planning Process, Strategies and Taxation Aspects 
  • Vehicles of Estate Planning- Features 

Module 6 

Advanced Financial Planning 

  • Financial Planning Process, Practice Standards and Professional Responsibility 
  • Risk Analysis and Insurance Planning 
  • Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits 
  • Investment Planning 
  • Tax Planning and Estate Planning 

 

Challenge Status Pathway 

Candidates who will have cleared the CA/Intermediate levelCFAICWA, CAIIB, CSLLBPhDMPhil, PG, Licentiate/Associate/ Fellowship of Life Insurance, Actuary, FFSI & FLMI from LOMA, Civil Service Examinations by UPSC  will be eligible to apply through challenge status pathway. Under this mode of examination, candidates will be required to clear only the fifth examination (Module 6). 

CFP Exam Structure 

Check the table below to know the complete exam structure of the CFP certification course.  

Module 

Name of the Module 

Testing Exam 

Exam Composition 

Number of Items 

Module 1 

Introduction to Financial Planning 

NA 

NA 

NA 

Module 2 

Risk Analysis & Insurance Planning 

Exam 1 

Module 1- 20% 

Module 2- 80% 

77 

Module 3 

Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits 

Exam 2 

Module 1- 20% 

Module 3- 80% 

77 

Module 4 

Investment Planning 

Exam 3 

Module 1- 20% 

Module 4- 80% 

77 

Module 5 

Tax Planning & Estate Planning 

Exam 4 

Module 1- 20% 

Module 2- 80% 

77 

Module 6 

Advanced Financial Planning 

Exam 5 

Case Study Format 

2 Case Studies/ 30 items 

Note- Module 1 is embedded in all the components of the exam. The extent of module 1 is 20% for exam 1 to exam 4. Whereas, the extent of module 1 in exam 5 is 14%.  

FAQs on CFP 

Q. What is CFP certification?

Ans. Certified Financial Planner also known as CFP is a certification course for candidates willing to enhance their skill in Finance domain.  

Q. What does CFP do?

Ans. A Certified Financial Planner advises the individuals on planning the financial future and managing their personal portfolio. They also advise people on many areas such as investments, retirement, real estate, tax, insurance and so forth.  

Q. Can I pursue CFP certification after 12th?

Ans. Yes, candidates can pursue the FFP certification after completing 12 th . Candidates will be required to pursue the certification through regular pathway.  

Q. What is the average salary of CFP in India?

Ans. The average salary of a certified financial planner is INR 3.5 lakh per year in India.  

Q. What are the career opportunities after CFP?

Ans. Some of the career options after obtaining CFP certification are- Personal Financial Planner, Client Service Advisor, Associate Advisor, and Wealth Management Adviser.  

Q: Can I change my CFP test date, time or location in the same exam window?

A: You may reschedule your CFP exam date, test site location and, in some cases, test start time, within the testing window when you are scheduled.  

Q. What are the subjects included in CFP?

Ans. CFP certification is divided into six modules- Introduction to Financial Planning, Risk Analysis & Insurance Planning, Retirement Planning & Employee Benefits, Investment Planning, Tax Planning & Estate Planning and Advanced Financial Planning.  

Popular CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Colleges in India. Learn more about these CFP (Certified Financial Planner) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
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Popular Private CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Colleges in India

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Popular CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Specializations

Following are the most popular CFP (Certified Financial Planner) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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