CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ^®

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ^® certification is a mark of excellence granted to individuals who meet the stringent standards of education, examination, experience and ethics. It is the most prestigious and internationally accepted Financial Planning qualification recognized and respected by the global financial community.

The CFP ^® certification wins trust and presents opportunities worldwide. In this era of super specialization, the Professional Certification CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ^® certification gears career aspirants and existing financial intermediaries for giving comprehensive financial advisory services to individuals and make a satisfying career in the financial services industry.

CFP ^® certification is the highest level of certification worldwide in the field of Financial Planning with over 2,23,000 CFP ^® certificants and widely respected by consumers, professionals & industry. Our Certified financial planner course prepares you for this certificate program.

The CFP ^®  certification training is built in a way such as to impart knowledge of how to frame financial policies with regard to cash control, lending, and borrowing. It lets students understand the best possible utilization of scarce financial resources at least cost, in order to get maximum returns on investment.

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) is world’s topmost program in Personal Finance & Financial Planning. Its like the CA in the world of Personal Finance & Investment Management.
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP ^® ) certification is an International Mark of Excellence granted to professionals specialized in Personal Finance.
• Offered by Financial Planning Standards Board, USA , CFP^® certification is the only globally recognized symbol of excellence  & Gold Standard Certification for financial planning. 
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) is a Global Certification Valid in 27 Countries across the world.
• CFP^® is a unique 4-in-1 Program which means that within 1 Program, you get 4 Global Specialist Certifications in the areas of Personal Finance.

CFP® Program Fees

When you pursue CFP^® Program, there are 2 types of CFP^® Fees involved. They are :

1.    CFP^® Course Study Fees

2.    CFP^® Program Board Fees

CFP^® Course Study Fees

This is the CFP^® fee that you pay to CFP^® education provider (ICOFP) for teaching you the CFP^® Course content, providing your CFP^® course materials, giving your CFP^® Classes, preparing you for CFP^® exams & all the CFP^® Study support that you require. This is paid to International College of Financial Planning (ICOFP) and is paid in Indian Rupees (INR). You have the option to join the CFP^® Course Level wise and hence pay the CFP^® Study Fees level wise or alternatively you can join the complete CFP^® Course Study in one go and by do so you save more than 30% on your CFP^® Study Fees.

CFP^® Course Fee varies depending on whether you are opting for CFP^® Online Live Classes or Pre-recorded E-Learning mode. CFP^® Course Fee for Online Live Classes is INR 60,000/- and for E-learning, it is INR 45,000/- only.

Here is a CFP^® Course Level wise fees break-up as well.

Fee Plan for CFP (WEF 1^st April 2024)

CFP Level wise Fees

CFP Level 1

CFP Level 2

CFP Level 3

CFP Final

Total of Level wise Fees

4-in-1 CFP Course Fees

Loan Option Get Interest Free student loan through our NBFC Partner

Part Payment Students can enrol with 10,000/- and rest of the fee in 2 equal installments

Part Payment Breakup on Admission, on Start of Classes, on After 1 month

Virtual Learning (VL)

Regular Pathway

₹ 20,000/-

₹ 20,000/-

₹ 20,000/-

₹ 20,000/-

₹ 80,000/-

₹ 60,000/-

Pay Just ₹ 10,000/- Rest in interest Free 6 equal EMIs

₹ 63,500/-

₹ 10,000/- + ₹ 26,750/- + ₹ 26,750/-

E-Learning (EL)

₹ 15,000/-

₹ 15,000/-

₹ 15,000/-

₹ 15,000/-

₹ 60,000/-

₹ 45,000/-

Pay Just ₹ 10,000/- Rest in interest Free 6 equal EMIs

₹ 47,500/-

₹ 10,000/- + ₹ 18,750/- + ₹ 18,750/-

Fast Track Pathway

₹ 35,000/-

₹ 35,000/-

 

Pay Just ₹ 5,000/- Rest in interest Free 6 equal EMIs

 

 

₹ 37,500/-

 

 

₹ 10,000/- + ₹ 13,750/- + ₹ 13,750/-

 

 

FPSB Board Fee for CFP^® Certification

These are the CFP^® fees which are paid to Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), India directly. These CFP^® fees are for various things such as registration, online content, examination, certification etc. Since the CFP^® fees are payable to India, FBSB board hence fees are paid in Indian rupees and are broadly for 5 things  :

FPSB Registration Fee

₹18,000/- (one-time payment, valid for 1 year)

When someone wants to do Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®), one has to register with FPSB, India. The CFP^® program registration fee is ₹18,000/- and is a one time fee applicable to all the levels (1 to 4). So you won't need to pay the CFP^® registration fee separately but this is valid for a year only. 

FPSB Content Subscription Fee for CFP^® Certification

CFP^® Level I, II & III (₹6,500 + ₹6,500 + ₹6,500), CFP^® Level IV (₹13,000)

FPSB has some online content for each level of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) course which is mandatory for everyone to subscribe too. Though it’s an e-book which you can’t save, download, print or book mark but still you have to pay the content subscription fee to FPSB. This is paid for each level one by one separately as you move level by level in the program. For level 1 to 3 the content subscription fee is ₹6,500/- for each level whereas for level 4 it is ₹13,000/- .

Examination Fee

CFP^® Level I, II & III (₹6,750 + ₹6,750 + ₹6,750) CFP^® Level IV (₹13,000)

FPSB conducts online proctored examination for each level. You have to register for exam one by one as you move along the CFP^® program. For level 1 to 3 the CFP^® Examination fee is ₹6,500/-  for each level whereas for final level it is ₹13,000/- .

Project Assessment Fee

₹10,500/-

In CFP^® Level IV, you have to complete a project which is assigned to you by FPSB. The CFP^® project is a one time activity during your program. You complete the project and the same has to be submitted to FPSB for assessment. When you signup for the CFP^® project, you have to pay a Project Assessment Fee of ₹10,500/- to FPSB.

CFP^® Certification Fee

Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) being a unique 4-in-1 certification, you get 4 Global certifications from FPSB, India. Upon passing CFP^® Level 1,2 & 3 you get Specialist Certification for which when you apply for certification you need to pay a Certification Fee of ₹10,500/- (combined for all three specialist certifications). When you complete all 4 levels and claim your CFP^® Certificate / Charter Membership, then you need to pay a CFP^® Certification Fee of ₹10,500/-.All the above FPSB Board Fees are payable in parts & on breaks as your move along the program. You don’t need to pay the full fee one time , rather you pay the fee level by level separately. 

CFP® Classes

Please note that your access to the LMS (Learning Management System) will be valid for one year,starting from the date of your enrollment in the CFP^® Course with ICOFP. This means you will have 12 months of access to the course materials, class recordings and other online resources from your joining date. This one-year validation is provided to ensure that you have ample time to complete all the Level of CFP^® exam within a year from the date of your enrollment.

CFP® Examinations

Examinations for all the levels of Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®)  Program are conducted online by Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB USA). For all the CFP exams, Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB USA) is the only examining & certifying body.

The exams are conducted online in a live proctored manner in a very high tech online exam environment. When you start studying CFP^® Program, you need to take the 4 exams one by one as you move along. Appearing at CFP^® exam is flexible and you can decide when to appear in an exam depending on your CFP^® Preparation and availability.

For CFP Level 1 to 3 , the CFP Examination pattern is as follows :

• 75 Questions – 75 Marks – All MCQs Exam
• 75 multiple-choice questions (4 possible answer choices)
• No Negative marking in any CFP^® Exam
• Online, live proctored exam 
• 2 hr exam, no breaks permitted
• CFP^® Exams are conducted once every month in third or fourth week 
• There are multiple exam slots and you can opt for a slot convenient to you 
• Financial calculators permitted (excel sheet on open office inbuilt in the exam application itself) 

The passing score of the CFP^® level 1 to 3 Specialist exams is not predeclared but is arrived by doing an average and psychometric analysis. It is set to a level that is what is required for competent practice. Though no where it is formally declared but , generally with our experience we have seen that close to 60% score (which means 45 out of 75) looks to be a good score to be most likely to pass easily.

For CFP^® Level 4, the CFP^® Examination pattern is as follows :

• Financial Planning Project to be done and submitted first
• Only after CFP^® Project is approved by FPSB one can book the exam.
• Online, live proctored exam
• 50 multiple-choice questions- 100 Marks (4 possible answer choices)
• 25 Questions of 1 Marks each from the concept books
• 25 Questions of 3 Marks each based on a Case Study
• No Negative marking
• 3 hr exam, no breaks permitted
• CFP^® Exams are conducted as per a pre defined calendar
• There are multiple exam slots and you can opt for a slot convenient to you
• Financial calculators permitted (excel sheet or open office inbuilt into the exam platform also can be used) 

The passing point on the Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) Final exam is not predeclared but is arrived by doing an average and psychometric analysis. It is set to a level that is what is required for competent practice. Since no where it is formally declared but , and with our experience we expect 55 to 60% as the suggestive scores to pass.

CFP® Admissions Procedure

Steps to become a CFP^® (Certified Financial Planner) by studying at ICOFP

At ICoFP we emphasize on providing world-class Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®)  education that will inspire and challenge all students and prepare them for the future.

Our Curriculum & CFP^® Study Materials have been developed in association with Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB USA), Financial Planning Association (FPA) Australia and National Insurance Academy (NIA) as well as academicians from leading institutes such as IIM, FMS etc.

For a candidate to be a CFP® certificant, he/she needs to take the following steps during CFP^® Study:

Step 1 – SELECT: A candidate must choose the mode of CFP^® Course that he wants to attend.

Step 2 – Enroll with ICoFP for CFP^® Course

Step 3 – Register with FPSB , Parallel to your CFP^® Study

Step 4 – Subscribe to Level 1-2-3-4 one by one and take exams one by one, Continue your CFP^® Study

Step 5 – Crack the CFP^® exams, surge ahead & become a CFP ^® certificant

CFP^® Admissions at ICOFP are completely online. You can choose a CFP^® Course of your choice and enroll for CFP^® Program Online.

CFP® 4-in-1 Program Certificates

When you complete your CFP^® Course & pass the exams, you get 3 specialist certifications from Financial Planning Standards Board ( FPSB USA) and finally Certified Financial Planner Certificate from Financial Planning Standards Board ( FPSB USA). Here is a sample of how the CFP^® Certificates look like :

CFP® Level 1 : Investment Specialist Certificate	CFP® Level 2 : Retirement & Tax Specialist Certificate
CFP® Level 3 : Risk & Estate Specialist Certificate	CFP® Level 4 : Certified Financial Planner Certificate

CFP® Career Opportunities

Certified Financial Planner CFP^® certificant gets enhanced career and employment opportunities with Financial Services companies. It is endorsed by top Financial Service Companies in India. Charter Members of FPSB US have resolved that they will give first preference to CFP^® certificant for recruitment. Certified Financial Planner Certification is one of the most sought after certifications by BFSI companies in the country.

As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP^® ), you become one of the most sought-after personal finance professionals. CFP^® career options are multiple and whether you want to work in a corporate job in the financial sector or you want to practice as an independent advisor or you want to set up your own financial firm, CFP^® Certification makes you ready for all these CFP^® career goals you may have.

Now when you are a Certified Financial Planner (CFP^® ), you become one point service for all your client needs on all the above areas. During the CFP^® Program, you develop the knowledge and skills to cater to clients across all of personal finance and wealth management and that’s why you ultimately become a Credible Financial Expert for clients. World’s Top Most Certification in personal finance, 4 International Certifications, your expertise and most importantly ethics of the business of the financial business that you learn makes you the most trusted financial expert a client can look for and open up plethora of CFP^® career opportunities for you.

Thereafter, whether you are working in a Bank or Wealth Management Company or MF or Insurance or anywhere else in BFSI or you are doing your own financial advisory business, you client’s bank upon you for all of their personal finance planning & needs. Your client base increases, client trust goes up, client satisfaction is very high, you offer multiple services at one point, your revenues multiply……

Why do CFP® Certification?

There are many reasons for people to be a Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) …… what’s yours?

Here are some of the most prominent sides of CFP^® careers:

• Starting a career a BFSI Domain
• Already in BFSI but pacing up career growth
• Building knowledge and skill set of wealth management & personal finance
• Multiplying your CV value by 4 Global Certifications from FPSB USA
• Getting ready to set up your own independent practice as a financial planner
• Starting up or growing your Investment Advisory, IPA, Mutual Funds , Insurance Business
• Giving a professional facelift to your Financial Advisory Business
• Adding on to your Credibility by becoming a certified professional - Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®)
• Planning to work in BFSI in countries like USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore etc

India needs more than 2,23,000 qualified CFPs by 2024. Are you ready to be one ?  

The Value of CFP®

Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) Course certification benefits consumers, practitioners and financial services firms in a variety of ways. Here is a quick summary of an extensive survey done to find out how CFP^® Course Certifications changes the perspective.

Value for those doing CFP^® Certification:

• Among those seeking to advance their careers, 37% earned a promotion, got a new job or started their own practice after doing CFP^®.
• 57% reported growing their client base in the 12 months following their CFP^® certification.
• 72% reported increased satisfaction with their careers both in the corporate experience and independent practice as a CFP^® Certified professional.
• 63%  Independent Practitioners saw their income grow in the 12 months following their CFP^® certification.
• 87% Independent CFP^® Practitioners expected to be able to keep clients longer, more satisfied & gain more trust.

Value for the Clients dealing with a CFP^® Professional:

• 97% Clients prefer to deal with someone who is a qualified Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®), rather than someone who is a non-qualified professional.
• Client Satisfaction Index of working with a CFP^® as against a normal financial advisor was 84% higher.
• Clients felt more strongly confident about their financial situation & believed that with a financial plan they were nearly three times more strongly confident about achieving their life goals while taking advise from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®)  Professional.

Value for the companies hiring CFP^® Qualified Professionals:

• 59% of companies reported that employing CFP^® professionals led to fewer client complaints.
• 69% of companies reported that employing CFP^® professionals lowered corporate risk and at the same time a higher rate of growth of assets under management.
• 76% of companies found that employing CFP^® professionals led to increased client retention.
• 79% of firms plan to grow the number of CFP^® professionals & recruit more CFPs.

CFP® Eligibility

Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) eligibility is very minimal because  is an open education program which means that one can register and study for the program anywhere. Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) is a membership based program, similar to CA, CA, CWA, CFA etc, which means that upon passing of CFP^® Exams, you become a member of the FPSB board.

Minimum Eligibility to Join CFP^® Program :

• HSC/ 12th Passed – No restrictions on passing %age
• From any stream – Science, Arts, Commerce
• Individuals with at least 18+ years of age

Anyone meeting the above criteria can join the CFP^® program and start CFP^® Course studies.

Minimum Eligibility Required to Certify :

• Graduate / 10+2+3 Passed – No restrictions on passing %age
• From any stream – Science, Arts, Commerce
• 3 Yrs of working experience from financial industry ,or, 1 yr of Supervised experience under a practicing CFP^®

After passing all exams and then at the time of claiming CFP^® Membership / CFP^® Certificate Charter, one must meet the above criteria

CFP Program Structure

The CFP® certification program in India is a 4 level program where you study for each level 1 by one and take exams to qualify them. The first 3 levels are Specialist levels and the completing the level leads you to get CFP® Certification. The CFP® Course structure is as below

• Level 1 : FPSB® Investment Planning Specialist, also abbreviated as IPS
• Level 2 : FPSB® Retirement and Tax Planning Specialist, also abbreviated as RTPS
• Level 3 : FPSB® Risk and Estate Planning Specialist, also abbreviated as REPS
• Level 4 : FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning Course, also abbreviated as IFP or called Capstone Course

Upon completion and passing the exams at each of the CFP® levels 1,2 & 3, you get a Specialist Certification from FPSB USA. Once you have successfully completed  CFP® Levels 1,2 &3, you move on to the Final Level , passing which you get awarded with CFP® Certification.

Besides the above 4 levels, you have to undergo an Online Course on FPSB Professional Ethics. To obtain an FPSB Ltd. certification, candidates need to complete FPSB Ltd.’s ethics course, and agree to abide by the FPSB Ltd. Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which sets forth requirements for ethical and professional behavior. Candidates for CFP® certification need only to complete this ethics requirement one time during their pathway to CFP® certification.

Examinations are conducted online and you can appear at the exam from anywhere. The exams are done on a highly secure browser/application and are live proctored to ensure the integrity of the exams.

Getting CFP® Certification / CFP® Membership

You are awarded CFP® Certification & Badge by FPSB USA, upon:

• Completing all education courses and successfully passing certification exams to obtain your FPSB® Investment Planning Specialist, FPSB® Retirement and Tax Planning Specialist, FPSB® Risk and Estate Planning Specialist certifications
• Meeting FPSB ethics requirement , doing ethics course and attestation
• Completing the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning Course and financial plan assessment
• Successfully passing the CFP® final level exam
• Meeting FPSB Ltd.’s experience requirement
• Paying an annual CFP® certification fee

CFP® Program is primarily based on 4 fundamental pointers, which are inbuilt into each level of the CFP® program, thereby these 4 points become the core qualifying criteria for the whole of CFP® Program.

EDUCATION –         EXAMS –         ETHICS –      EXPERIENCE.

Pathways to CFP® Certification

There are 2 Routes available to study for CFP^® course in India.

1 – Instructor Led FPSB Board has authorised Education Partners in India who offer CFP^® Study programs based on the curriculum provided by FPSB. Student can enrol with an Education Provider. ICOFP is India’s 1st and Largest CFP^® Education Provider authorised by FPSB USA. When you enrol at ICOFP, you get the comprehensive CFP^® study materials designed exclusively by ICOFP. The CFP^® Course study materials comprise of books, workbooks, videos, live classes, case studies, projects, guest lectures, assignments and much more. Once your CFP^® Course study is over and you are ready to take the exam, ICOFP certifies you for the same and you don’t need to take the chapter quizzes and mock tests. Straight away, you become eligible to take the Level wise certification exam. The exams are conducted by FPSB USA Board in an online manner.

2 – Self Study A student can register with FPSB directly and opt to a self study for Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®)  Course. Under this route, student has to register with FPSB and then subscribe to their online learning management system upon which he gets CFP^® study contents in the form of e-books. Using them the student has to prepare for the CFP^® exams. Before the CFP^® exams, student has to take the chapter quizzes and mock tests and pass them with 70% marks to be eligible for taking the Level wise certification exam.

CFP® Curriculum

CFP^® Curriculum in India has changed wef 1st June 2020.

New CFP^® Curriculum in India is a unique 4-in-1 certification program, which means that in one single program, you get awarded with 4 international Certifications.

New CFP^® Curriculum is segmented into 4 levels. Upon completion of each level, FPSB awards an International certification for that level.

CFP^® Level 1 – FPSB® INVESTMENT SPECIALIST

International Certification for Investment Professionals specializing in Equity, Mutual Funds , Debt & Other Investments. This is first level of CFP^® Certification.

CFP^® Level 1 Course Curriculum has 3 Modules  & further each of the Modules above are divided into 2 sub modules – Global and Indian. So thereby you study the global concepts as well as in depth of Indian market specific.

CFP^® Curriculum  :

Module 1 : Personal Financial Management :- The Personal Financial Management module provides an overview of how to evaluate and collect client information. Students will learn how to evaluate investment strategy options and develop financial management strategies based on a client’s unique situation. Students will learn how to develop an implementation plan that will provide the client an opportunity to meet his or her financial management goals and objectives.

Module 2 : Investment Planning & Asset:- Management The Investment Planning and Asset Management module provides an overview of global and local economic institutions and other factors, such as the stock exchange, asset classes and securities, that impact investment planning as well as principles of investment risk. Students will learn various methods of computing expected returns from stocks, bonds and integrated portfolios, including investment risk and valuation ratios Through this module, students will become familiar with the concepts of buying and selling securities, pooled investment products and behavioral finance, and learn how to interview clients to develop a personal risk profile. 

Module 3 : Regulatory Environment & Legal Compliances:- The Regulatory Environment module provides an overview of key foundational legislation and regulations. Through this module students will become familiar with various regulatory bodies and varying economic, social and political environments. Other fundamental topics covered in the module include anti-money laundering and behavioral finance.

CFP^® Level 2 – FPSB® RETIREMENT & TAX SPECIALIST

International Certification for Retirement Planning, Wealth Building, Income Tax, Tax Filing, Tax Saving & Tax Planning. This is second level of CFP^® Certification.

It has 2 Modules  & further each of the Modules above are divided into 2 sub modules – Global and Indian. So thereby you study the global concepts as well as in depth of Indian market specific.

CFP^® Curriculum  :

Module 1 : Retirement Planning:-  Through this module you will learn about key retirement principles and how to identify their client’s retirement objectives and needs. You will be prepared to develop strategies and use techniques for wealth accumulation and withdrawal during retirement years; taking into consideration asset locations and the client’s personal financial goals, risk tolerance, risk capacity, and structure and impact of public and private retirement plans on the client’s financial plan.

Module 2 : Tax Planning:- In this module, you will learn about taxes and the various tax strategies they can apply with their clients. This course covers tax planning and optimization at the global and local level. You will learn about tax saving, impact of taxes on various investments and financial transactions, how to manage taxes efficiently by tax planning.

CFP^® Level 3 - FPSB® RISK & LEGACY SPECIALIST

International Certification for Risk Planning, Life Insurance, General Insurance, Legacy &  Estate Planning. This is third level of CFP^® Certification.

It has 2 Modules  & further each of the Modules above are divided into 2 sub modules – Global and Indian. So thereby you study the global concepts as well as in depth of Indian market specific.

CFP^® Curriculum  :

Module 1 : Risk Management:-  The material in this course covers risk management and insurance. Upon completion of this course, you should have a good understanding of risk management need areas and ways to address them. you should be able to evaluate existing insurance coverage and how it addresses the client’s risk management needs. Finally, you should be able to develop various strategies to protect the client’s financial wellbeing through appropriate risk management.

Module 2 : Estate Planning:- In this module, you will learn about Estate planning and at how an individual wants to address the end of his or her life. Postmortem (i.e., after death) estate (property/wealth) distribution is a significant planning focus, but even that is not the sole estate planning target. Further, even though estate planning may prepare for the end of life, a lot of the planning and plan execution happens much earlier. More than the legalities of preparing a will, this module will also delve into the emotional intelligence piece and sensitivities around this topic. 

CFP^® Level 4 - CFM ^CM - CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER

International Certification for Financial Advisors, Financial Planners, IFAs, Investment Advisors & Finance Professionals. This is final level of CFP^® Certification.

It has 3 Modules  & further each of the Modules above are divided into 2 sub modules – Global and Indian. So thereby you study the global concepts as well as in depth of Indian market specific.

CFP^® Curriculum  :

Module 1: Financial Planning Process, Principles and Practice:-

This course will teach candidates the Financial Planning Process, Practice Standards, Professional Skills, Client Characteristics, Client Engagement and Communication components of financial planning

• Establish and define the relationship with the client
• Collect the client's information
• Analyze and assess the client's financial status
• Develop the financial planning recommendations and present them to the client
• Implement the client's financial planning recommendations
• Review the client's situation

Module 2: Engaging Clients in the Financial Planning Process:-

This course is about the human qualities of the financial planning process that sometimes create the unknown difficulties contained within financial planning. The course helps you understand the relationship between the financial planner and the client as it comes to life. You learn lot more about the behavioral aspects of managing your clients and how to engage them in the whole process. candidates with an understanding of how a financial planner would apply the financial planning process within the context of a client engagement to develop and deliver a viable financial plan. Candidates will get an appreciation for the value of professional standards of practice; recognize and be able to apply professional skills to facilitate better communication; and come to understanding client characteristics.

Module 3: Developing Effective Financial Plans:-

This course provides combines the above 2 and then leading you to learn the most important part of how to actually create a financial plan. You get the framework and samples and learn various ways of making elaborate financial plans. The course tells you what are the most critical factors when you develop financial plans for your clients and how do you make financial plans which are effective and rewarding for your clients.

CFP^® Curriculum – CFP^® Level 4 :

Capstone Project : Financial Plan Assessment :

Project Once you are done with the study of the modules above, you are made to do a live project which is assigned by FPSB. The project is making an actual financial plan for a client scenario given to you. You do the project under the guidance of mentors and this is where you actually learn to finally convert all your learning of the whole course and bring it on a single platter. Once your project is done, you submit the same to FPSB for assessment and it is finally evaluated by a team of practicing financial planners who have been appointed by FPSB. Only when your project is approved by FPSB, you are eligible to take the final exams.

Case Study : Practicing Real Life Case Studies for Exam :

The exam of Final level – Integrated Financial Planning contains case study based questions and hence as a part of the course you need to learn, analyse, prepare & practice various case studies. The case studies are real life financial plans given to you in the exam and questions are based on the same.

The three modules, project & case studies  that make up the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course will ultimately prepare you to:

• Learn how to identify and apply the appropriate skills, knowledge and abilities needed to develop viable, written financial plans for clients
• Apply you understanding of investments, tax, risk, all other modules ,financial planning theory for financial planning to real world client situations 
• Emphasize analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, critical thinking regarding clients' circumstances, and the analysis, synthesis & presentation of information and subsequent recommendations to a client.

CFP® Challenge status

CFP^® Fast Track Pathway Exciting New Opportunity for Experienced Professionals

Financial Planning Standard Board (FPSB USA) re-introduced CFP^® Fast Track  Pathway in October 2022. It is an accelerated way of completing Certified Financial Planner Certification in less than 3-4 months and clearing just 1 exam. This is a study pathway allowed only to professionals who have relevant Educational Qualification + Work Experience in BFSI Space.

Benifits of Fast Track Pathway

You can become a CFP^® in 4 easy steps

• Take just 1 exam instead of 4 exams
• Complete CFP^® course in 3-4 months as against 10-12 months
• Study only 70 hours instead of 240 hours
• Study only 3 modules in place of 10 modules

&

• FPSB Board fees come down by approx. 30%
• CFP^® Tuition Fees at ICOFP come down by approx. 40%

Eligibility (Education + Experience)

• Education:
  • Chartered Financial Analyst, from CFA Institute (USA)
  • Certified Public Accountant, from AICPA (USA), CMA, ACCA
  • Chartered Accountant, from ICAI, CA(Inter) with 3-year Articleship+B.Com
  • Fellow Member of Insurance Institute of India (Life/General)
  • Advanced Wealth Management Course, from IIBF, CAIIB+B.Com (any degree)
  • Postgraduate degree in Economics, Commerce, Finance/Financial Planning from a UGC approved University
  • MBA (Finance) / PGDM from an AICTE approved Institute
• Experience:

  At least three years of prior work experience at the time of submission of documents will be considered in case of employees of a:

  • Any bank, non-banking Finance Company (NBFC)
  • Mutual Fund Asset Management
  • Insurance Company
  • Securities Company
  • Portfolio Manager
  • Brokerage
  • Registered Investment Adviser (in the capacity ’persons associated with investment advice’)
  • Treasury department of a company registered with the RoC
  • Academic institution or FPSB’s Authorized Education Provider

  Such experience shall be in one of the following broad job activities:

  • Funds Management
  • Investment Advice
  • Accounting/Fund Accounting/Auditing
  • Corporate Finance
  • Customer Relationship/Investor Service
  • lecturing in Academic Institutions on Economics/Commerce/Finance or teaching/training on FPSB’s CFP^® certification curriculum based on Financial Planning Education Framework

CFP® Course Study at ICOFP

Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) Course is a very comprehensive program and the CFP^® Course content comprises of lot of global as well as Indian market specific elements. The objective of the CFP^® program is to make you an expert in Personal Finance, Wealth Management & Financial Planning. As you have seen above, the Certified Financial Planner program contains lot of numerical, analytical approach and also has a comprehensive project to do. Besides all this there are real life case studies which are one of the factors for the exam at final level , hence from both knowledge building perspective & from exam preparation perspective it is needed that you study for CFP^® program with the experts.

CFP^® Course study is available online and hence you don’t have the constraint of time and place. While Teaching the whole CFP^® program roughly takes around 200-250 hours , it needs approximately 150 hour of revision & practice at your end.  200-250 hours go in the classes while 150 is what you invest yourself. So that means on an average 30 mins a day of self study along with the classes offered by experts would be good enough for you to develop right knowledge, skills, acumen, practical exposure & being exam ready.

Why Studying for CFP^® Course at ICOFP is the best option

International College of Financial Planning (ICOFP) is India’s 1st and the largest CFP^® education partner of FPSB USA. As a matter of fact, CFP^® Program was brought to India by ICOFP & its group company Bajaj Capital, way back in year 2002. ICFOP is also India’s most awarded super specialised finance college with a speciality in CFP^® & CFA education.

ICOFP also has exclusive student loan arrangements with NBFCs to facilitate easy payment for ICOFP's CFP^®  Course fees. The student loans are offered to you at 0% (Zero Interest) and only certain processing fee is charged to you by the NBFC. You can join CFP Study at ICOFP by just paying 10% of the fee for the medium that you choose and the balance fee can be financed in 6 easy EMIs using student loan offering of ICFOP for CFP^® Study.

Here is why 80% of CFP^® aspirants join ICOFP for studying for CFP^® Program.

ICOFP offers India’s most comprehensive study materials for CFP^®

While all other CFP^® education providers push you to study from e-books of FPSB, it is simply because no other education providers have been able to prepare their own learning content for the program. 

CFP^® Study Materials at ICOFP Comprises of :

CFP^® Course Concept Books : Beautifully printed and chapter wise -topic wise well organised content , which is 100% in sync with Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) Program Syllabus

CFP^® Course Work Books : Module wise chapter wise work books with 500-800 questions on an average to make you do the best of practice for exams and CFP^® exam practice

CFP^® Course Recorded Videos : All the classes that you do at ICOFP get recorded and you get to see and revise the concepts taught by experts as many times you wish

CFP^® Course Assignments : During your CFP^® study at ICOFP you get class assignments to do in every other class and get guided by faculty thru CFP^® Classes CFP^® Course Group Projects : If FPSB mandates for Capstone Project at Final Level, ICFOP makes you far more prepared by letting you do many smaller projects much before in your CFP^® classes

CFP^® Online Mock Tests : Take a feel of FPSB Exams by taking Online mock tests designed by ICOFP, 75 questions 2 hr mock test same as FPSB exams after your CFP^® Classes

CFP^® Exam Doubt Clearing Sessions : Before each exam get one on one mentoring and last minute quick brush up of key concepts by the coaches and get ready for exams, in addition to CFP^® Classes

CFP^® Case Studies : Do multiple caselets and as many as 5 comprehensive case studies as compared to FPSB’s 1 case, thereby making you far more prepared CFP^® Guest Lectures : Besides being taught by India’s best CFP^® faculty, get valuable insights from some eminent speakers and finance coaches, many of them being ICOFP Alumni coming live in your CFP classes^®

ICOFP is India’s 1st & Largest CFP^® Education Provider ICOFP is a part of Bajaj Capital Group, one of India’s most respected names in wealth management industry for 58 years. Hence ICOFP has an unmatchable lineage which no one can compare at all.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®)  Program was brough to India by ICOFP and its parent group company Bajaj Capital. The promoters Mr Sanjiv Bajaj & Mr Rajiv Bajaj have been the guiding force bringing a huge industry connect and years of expertise to our advantage.

Since its inception in year 2002, ICOFP has been No 1 in CFP^® education across India. We command close to 80% market share in CFP^® education which means that 8 out of every 10 CFP^® aspirants join ICOFP for CFP^® education.

ICOFP has India’s most experienced and qualified CFP^® faculties  You get taught by the CFP^® Faculties with amazing background including CFPs, CFAs, CAs, Ph.Ds, IIMs and all of them bringing decades of academic and corporate experience to your benefit

Many of the CFP^® faculties here at ICOFP are Practicing CFPs themselves and hence the entire delivery of the program has a very practical approach and also supports 1 yr mentorship if needed

Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) Course Academics at ICOFP is headed by Ms Madhu Sinha who is a Former FPSB India Director, besides being a CFP^®, CWM, an ex UTI and Sr Finance Faculty for 20 years with 3 books on financial planning to her credit.

Highest Number of CFP Certificants & Passing %age  ICFOP has been the alma mater for some of the most notable names of wealth management industry who have done CFP^®. The topmost financial professionals such as – Suresh Sadagopan, Bhuvanaa Sreeram, Dilshad Billimoria, Lovaii Navlakhi, Shilpi Johri, Monika Halan and the list goes on….. All of them have studied at ICOFP for their CFP^® program.

ICOFP commands the highest passing percentage of all exams and to our pride we have even a Record of reaching 100% Passing percentage in some of the exams. This speaks of the quality of content that ICOFP offers and the expertise of the CFP^® faculties , and above all the hard work out students do.

A Consistent Track Record for 19 yrs since 2002 is what makes ICOFP far ahead of anyone else. Other education partners of CFP^® coaches who may be there today, as some point of time they have all been ICOFP students only and have no match to the credible history made by ICOFP.