Financial planning is more than budgeting, saving or having the perfect investment strategy. It sets you on a course to achieve your personal needs and goals through the proper management of your financial affairs. Canadians who engage in comprehensive financial planning report significantly higher levels of financial and emotional well-being than those who do limited or no planning. They feel more on track with their financial goals and retirement plans, have improved their ability to save, are more confident that they can deal with financial challenges in life, and feel better able to indulge in discretionary spending.
Your choice of financial planner is an important one. A professional financial planner has the knowledge, skills, experience and ethics to look at your entire financial picture and help you achieve financial well-being. Use this tool to find a professional financial planner in your area or to verify the certification status of your planner.
Life can be messy. We get it. That’s why we created a website with stories and advice to help you manage life’s ups and downs. With over 140 articles, videos and infographics, this website will arm you with the information you need to prepare for life events and bring you closer to your life goals.
As of April 1, 2019, Financial Planning Standards Council is now FP Canada. Learn more about the role of our two divisions, the FP Canada Standards Council™ and the FP Canada Institute™.
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CFP® Certification
Certified Financial Planner® certification is the most widely recognized financial planning designation
in Canada and throughout the world and is considered the standard for the profession. CFP professionals have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, experience and ethics to examine their clients’ entire financial picture, at the highest level of complexity required of the profession, and help them build a financial plan so that they can Live Life Confidently™.
QAFP™ Certification
Effective January 1, 2020, Qualified Associate Financial Planner™ certification will replace FPSC
Level 1® certification and all current FPSC Level 1 certificants will become QAFP professionals. QAFP professionals have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, experience and ethics to provide holistic financial planning strategies and solutions for clients who have financial planning needs with a limited level of complexity.
FPSC Level 1 Certification
FPSC Level 1 certificants are equipped to provide financial planning services for clients who have less complex financial planning needs. Certificants are required to attest to the same standard of care, ethics and loyalty as a CFP professional and must fulfil annual Continuing Education requirements. Effective January 1, 2020, QAFP certification will replace FPSC Level 1 certification and all current FPSC Level certificants will become QAFP professionals.
CFP professionals and FPSC Level 1 certificants must adhere to rigorous standards set and enforced by FP Canada Standards Council, for the protection of the Canadian public and to safeguard the reputation of the financial planning profession. FP Canada Standards Council promptly addresses all concerns reported and thoroughly investigates all allegations of misconduct.
If you have a concern about an FPSC Level 1 certificant or CFP professional, you may submit a formal complaint for an Investigation by FP Canada Standards Council. Learn how to do so and what to expect from the Investigation process.
If you have a concern about an FPSC Level 1 certificant or CFP professional, you may submit a formal complaint for an Investigation by FP Canada Standards Council. Learn how to do so and what to expect from the Investigation process.
Each month we send out an email newsletter, Here’s the Plan™, which includes a selection of financial planning tips to help you prepare for life events and bring you closer to your life goals.
In most of Canada, there is no legislated standard in place for the estimated 100,000 people who claim to offer financial advice. Outside of Quebec, people who call themselves financial planners are not required to obtain any credentials.
FP Canada believes that everyone who claims to be a financial planner should be required to meet stringent proficiency and ethics requirements, including high levels of education and experience. These rigorous requirements are met by all FP Canada certificants.
Additionally, FP Canada is continually working toward the formal professionalization of financial planning. Recognition of financial planning as a distinct profession will safeguard and enhance the financial well-being of Canadians and ultimately better the financial planning profession.
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