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CFP Certification Guide

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
111 views39 pages

CFP Certification Guide

Uploaded by

Vedant Gosai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 39

Guide to CFPCM Certification

[India]
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 2 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Table of Contents
About FPSB and Our Programs in India .................................................................................. 4
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM Certification Overview.............................................. 5
Regular Pathway 5
Step 1. Education ................................................................................................................... 6
Education Topics .................................................................................................................. 7
Challenge Pathway 9
The Financial Plan Assessment ................................................................................... 10
Step 2. Exam........................................................................................................................ 101
Step 3. Work Experience .................................................................................................... 15
Step 4. Ethics ........................................................................................................................ 16
FPSB Online Ethics Course .......................................................................................... 16
Ethics Attestation............................................................................................................. 16
Rules of Conduct ............................................................................................................. 17
Certification Application .................................................................................................... 17
Ongoing Certification Requirements .............................................................................. 17
Appendix A. FPSB Financial Planner Competency Profile ................................................. 18
Appendix B. FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning Course Learning Objectives ............ 22
Module 1: Financial Planning Standards and Skills ...................................................... 22
Module 2: Engaging Clients in the Financial Planning Process ................................. 24
Module 3: Developing Effective Financial Plans ........................................................... 26
Appendix C. Work Experience Reporting (from Supervisor or by Self-Reporting) .......... 28
Appendix D. FPSB Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility ................................. 30
Appendix E. Rules of Conduct for CFP Professionals ....................................................... 312
Pricing 36
Appendix F. Frequently Asked Questions .............................................................................. 35

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 3 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

About FPSB and Our Programs in India


Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB) is a global, nonprofit standards-setting body for
the financial planning profession, and owner of the CFPCM, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL
PLANNERCM and marks outside the United States, including in India.

FPSB and its network of affiliate organizations develop and deliver education and certification
programs, and establish, uphold and promote professional standards in financial planning, to
benefit the global community. We have programs in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chinese
Taipei, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan,
Malaysia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the People’s Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of
Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the
United States, and a global community of almost 213,000 CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
professionals worldwide, with over 2,500 in India.

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER credential is the most desired and respected global
certification for those seeking to demonstrate their commitment to competent and ethical
financial planning practice. CFP professionals meet initial and ongoing education and
experience and professional development requirements, pass a rigorous exam that assesses
competency, and adhere to a code of ethics, pledging to provide financial planning in the
interests of clients and with the highest ethical and professional standards. CFP professionals
are part of a growing global community of financial services practitioners who place clients’
interests first as part of their commitment to professionalism, and who embrace FPSB’s Code of
Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards.

You can begin your journey toward CFP certification by registering with FPSB to begin the
coursework for any of our three pathway certifications (FPSB® Investment Planning Specialist,
FPSB® Risk and Estate Planning Specialist, and FPSB® Retirement and Tax Planning
Specialist) and then completing the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course and CFP®
Exam.

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 4 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM Certification Overview


Take Your Career to the Next Level

Regular Pathway:

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals meet initial and ongoing education,


experience and professional development requirements, pass a rigorous exam that assesses
competency, and adhere to a code of ethics, pledging to provide financial planning in the
interests of clients and with the highest ethical and professional standards. To achieve CFP
certification in India, individuals need to:
• Complete each of the following three specialist certifications:
o FPSB® Investment Planning Specialist: This course prepares you to develop
strategies to help clients optimize their risk profile, financial capacity and
constraints. It covers topics that include types of securities; investment theory
and practice; portfolio construction and management; investment strategies and
tactics; and securities laws and regulatory compliance.
o FPSB® Retirement and Tax Planning Specialist: This course prepares you to
develop strategies to help clients optimize their wealth accumulation and cash
flow leading up to and during retirement, and to advise on the role of tax planning
in supporting client goals. The course teaches you to consider your clients’
personal financial goals, risk tolerance and risk capacity, asset locations, the
structure and impact of public and private retirement plans, and how taxation will
affect your clients’ financial situation and goals.
o FPSB® Risk and Estate Planning Specialist: This course teaches you to
understand and evaluate your clients’ legal, tax, financial and insurance position,
along with the impacts of non-financial issues, to guide clients on how to
conserve and transfer wealth, consistent with client goals.
• Complete the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course: This course prepares you to
draw on the knowledge gained through FPSB’s specialist courses to develop strategies
to help clients achieve their financial and life goals. The course teaches you to integrate
technical topics, behavioral finance principles and client engagement skills to build
relationships of trust; identify client goals, needs and objectives; and develop effective
financial plans. Candidates who are at least 18 years old and have successfully
completed the FPSB specialist certifications (or who have completed equivalent courses
and exams in FPSB’s legacy program) can register for the course.
• Pass the CFP® Exam
• Complete the FPSB ethics course
• Satisfy FPSB’s work experience requirement – three years (unsupervised) or one year
(supervised)
• Agree to comply with FPSB Ltd.’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• Hold a graduate degree from a University Grants Commission (UGC) recognized
University in India, or an equivalent degree program from a recognized University
outside India, to apply for CFP certification in India

To maintain certification and the right to use the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CFP
marks, you will need to: maintain your professional skills, abilities and competency through
continuing professional development (CPD) activities; continue to adhere to FPSB Code of

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 5 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards; and use the
CFPCM marks correctly.

Step 1. Education

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM

1) Education 2) Exam 3) Experience 4) Ethics

Instructor-led learning Areas of Practice Relevant FPSB Professional


with FPSB -Integrated Financial work experience in Ethics Course
Authorized Planning the financial (online)
Education Provider -FPSB Financial planning process
or self-paced Planning (three years Agree to abide
learning with / Practice unsupervised; by FPSB’s Code of
without a mentor Standards one year Ethics and
supervised) Professional
Graduate degree Responsibility,
required at time of Financial Planning
certification Practice Standards,
Rules of Conduct and
marks use rules

Once you have successfully met the registration criteria, you may enroll in the FPSB® Integrated
Financial Planning course, made up of the following modules: Financial Planning Process,
Principles and Practice; Engaging Clients in the Financial Planning Process; and Developing
Effective Financial Plans modules.

FPSB will provide you with digital textbooks and supplemental course materials through our
online learning portal, MyFPSBlearning. All FPSB education materials are aligned to the
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM learning objectives described in Appendix A
(competencies) and Appendix B (learning objectives). All candidates are required to purchase
these materials.

Candidates may select “Instructor-Led Learning” when registering for the FPSB® Integrated
Financial Planning course, or may choose to pursue the self-paced learning option. FPSB
Authorized Education Providers offer classroom and online education experiences. When
registering for the course through Instructor-Led Learning, you will be asked to select from
amongst FPSB’s Authorized Education Providers, which are also listed on the FPSB website. It
is presumed that self-paced candidates would use own resources to acquire skills to construct a
financial plan and prepare for CFP exam. Both self-paced and instructor-led candidates may
seek mentorship from CFP professionals who have agreed to support FPSB® Integrated
Financial Planning course candidates. For details on the mentorship program, contact FPSB.

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 6 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Education Topics
The FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course teaches you how to meaningfully engage
clients, identify their needs, objectives and goals, and deliver viable financial plans. The course
allows candidates to explore both the art and science of practicing financial planning by drawing
on candidates’ knowledge of financial planning topics, while using appropriate professional skills
and engaging in various tasks required during successful financial planning engagements.

While completion of a viable written financial plan is a key outcome for candidates, the skills of
listening, inquiry, probing, engaging, framing, committing and presenting are key to successfully
engaging clients and therefore form an integral part of the course. The course also covers
techniques and methods to guide candidates on how to appropriately apply FPSB’s Financial
Planning Practice Standards and comply with legal and regulatory requirements applicable to
financial planning engagements in India.

The three modules in the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course must be taken in sequential
order, as listed below.

Module names Module Descriptions


Module 1: This course will teach candidates the Financial Planning Process,
Financial Planning Practice Standards, Professional Skills, Client Characteristics, Client
Process, Principles and Engagement and Communication components of financial planning,
1. Establish and define the relationship with the client
Practice
2. Collect the client’s information
3. Analyze and assess the client’s financial status
4. Develop the financial planning recommendations and present
them to the client
5. Implement the client’s financial planning recommendations
6. Review the client’s situation
Module 2: This course is about the human qualities of the financial planning
Engaging Clients in the process that sometimes create the unknowns and difficulties contained
Financial Planning within financial planning. The course should help candidates
understand the relationship between the financial planner and the
Process
client as it comes to life.
Module 3: This course provides candidates with an understanding of how a
Developing Effective financial planner would apply the financial planning process within the
Financial Plans 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
how client characteristics / behavioral aspects can impact financial
planning recommendations.

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 7 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

The three modules that make up the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course will prepare
candidates to:
• Provide training and learning opportunities on how to identify and apply the appropriate
skills, knowledge and abilities needed to develop viable, written financial plans for
clients;
• Prepare candidates to apply their understanding of financial planning theory and the
body of knowledge for financial planning to real world client situations (the course is
designed to integrate financial planning theory and practice); and
• Emphasize analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, critical thinking regarding clients’
circumstances, and the presentation of information and subsequent recommendations to
a client.

FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning Course

Financial Planning Process, Engaging Clients in the Developing Effective Financial


Principles and Practice Financial Planning Process Plans

• Financial Planning Process • Introduction to the Discovery • Financial Planning Overview


• Practice Standards Process • Financial Plan Elements
• Professional Skills • Appreciative Inquiry • Developing Effective Financial
• Client Characteristics • Discovery Process Applied Plans
• Client Engagement and • Goal Determination,
Communication Refinement and Setting
• Critical Thinking • Develop Financial Planning
• Regulatory Environment of Recommendations
Financial Planning - India • Presenting Recommendations
to Clients

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 8 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Challenge Pathway:

The Challenge Pathway is designed to enable eligible financial planning professionals with
existing, relevant educational qualifications and work experience to gain recognition towards the
attainment of certification as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional. This allows
eligible applicants to accelerate their path to CFP certification allowing them to save time and
money.

Under the Challenge Pathway, applicants must possess a combination of specified educational
qualifications and specific work experience. Upon verification of these credentials, an applicant
will be able to bypass education and examination for Investment Planning, Risk and Estate
Planning, and Retirement and Tax Planning, and be considered eligible to register in the final
course, FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning.

Applicants are eligible to register for Challenge Pathway if they qualify under one of the following
categories:

1. Industry professionals who possess the specified educational qualifications / certifications


along with relevant work experience.
2. Academics, lecturers, and educators/trainers who offer their services in teaching the financial
planning curriculum and having specified educational qualifications / certifications along with
relevant work experience.
3. SEBI licensed Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), past CFP professionals whose CFP
certification has lapsed beyond 5 years from the date of their application, CFP professionals
in good standing with one or more Affiliate bodies of FPSB Ltd.
4. FPSB India students with a date of passing CFP exam (Exam 5/Advanced Financial Planning)
beyond 5 years from the date of application.
5. Those candidates registered under Regular Pathway who have the specified educational
qualifications / certifications along with relevant work experience, and opt to switch to
Challenge Pathway.

Further details of the Pathway can be seen at: https://india.fpsb.org/challenge-pathway/

Candidates who deem themselves eligible for this pathway will submit the requisite fee and their
qualification certificates, work experience etc. for Document Verification. Only on approval, they
can register and proceed to purchase the Integrated Financial Planning course material.

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 9 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Step 2. Exam

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM

1. Education 2. Exam 3. Experience 4. Ethics

Instructor-led learning Areas of Practice Relevant FPSB Professional


with FPSB -Integrated Financial work experience in Ethics Course
Authorized Planning the financial (online)
Education Provider -FPSB Financial planning process
or self-paced Planning (three years Agree to abide
learning with / Practice unsupervised; by FPSB’s Code of
without a mentor Standards one year Ethics and
supervised) Professional
Graduate degree Responsibility,
required at time of Financial Planning
certification Practice Standards,
Rules of Conduct and
marks use rules

Process for completing Exam criterion:

After completing the courseware, a candidate from either pathway, Regular or Challenge, goes
through a two-stage evaluation: the Financial Plan Assessment and the CFP® Exam. These can
be attempted in any order.

a. The Financial Plan Assessment

The Financial Plan Assessment exercise will prepare you to evaluate a fictitious client’s financial
situation, goals, needs and objectives; determine key areas that need to be addressed in a
written financial plan; identify what additional information is needed to develop a viable financial
plan; and develop strategies and recommendations and present them in writing in a manner
understandable to the client.

b. The CFP® Exam

The CFP® exam assesses the level of knowledge, skill and ability needed to practice financial
planning without supervision, as outlined in FPSB’s Financial Planner Competency Profile.
While each question on the CFP Exam focuses primarily on an element of competency from the
FPSB Financial Planner Competency Profile (Appendix A), questions on the exam may require
you to integrate across several financial planner competencies.

CFP® Exam Overview


• The CFP exam is three hours long
• The CFP exam consists of two sections:
o A section with a case study with 25 multiple choice questions based on the case
study

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 10 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

o A section consisting of 25 multiple choice questions on the financial planning


process and regulations
• The CFP exam is multiple-choice format; each question has four possible answers, one
of which is clearly the best choice
• The CFP exam is delivered via computer-based testing
• The online worksheet for financial calculations is available embedded in the exam portal,
both online and physical. Candidates are allowed as well to use permitted financial
calculators (once data is erased).
• Candidates cannot make use of pen and paper and the use of physical sheets during the
exam. They are encouraged to do all their work on the online embedded worksheets.

Section 1 – Case Study Section 2 – Financial Planning


Standards
One comprehensive case on Integrated 25 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) –
Financial Planning and 25 multiple-choice each of 1 mark –
questions based on the case – on Financial Planning Principles, Process,
each of 3 marks – Skills, and Regulatory Environment of
The questions will integrate across: Financial Planning - India
1. Risk Management and Insurance
Planning
2. Estate Planning
3. Investment Planning and Asset
Management
4. Retirement Planning
5. Tax Planning
6. Personal Financial Management
7. Integrated Financial Planning
Section duration: Approximately 2.5 hours Section duration: Approximately 30 minutes
(~6 minutes per MCQ) (~1 minute per MCQ)

Total marks: 75 Total marks: 25

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 11 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Expected Distribution of 100 marks - CFP Exam

15% Financial Planning Principles,


Process, Skills
25%
Risk Management and Insurance
Planning
Estate Planning
10%
Investment Planning and Asset
Management
Retirement Planning
10% 10%
Tax Planning

Personal Financial Management


10% 10%
10% Integrated Financial Planning

The 25 Case Study-based questions will be distributed almost equally, i.e. around 4 questions
from each of the six components of Financial Planning, viz. Risk Management and Insurance
Planning, Estate Planning, Investment Planning and Asset Management, Retirement Planning,
Tax Planning, and Personal Financial Management. Depending on the nature of case study
presented, a certain component may be asked more. It may be noted that integration can also
overlap two or more components, e.g. tax impacted investment or retirement, role of investment
in retirement, evaluation of estate or distributable net worth of a client, retirement funds flow and
estate planning, etc.

The questions which are based on Case Study will be under three functions – “Collection”,
“Analysis” and “Synthesis”. However, no differentiation shall be made in marks of questions
under these categories, All questions will be weighted 3 marks each. The Case Study-based
questions will require elaborate computation and integration aspects of Financial Planning.

A fair idea of these individual functions can be had from the chart below:

Collection: gathering information and identifying related facts by making required


calculations and arranging client information for analysis. During the collection function, the
core competency is to collect the quantitative information and qualitative information required
to provide a financial plan.

Analysis: considers issues, performs financial analysis and assesses the resulting
information to be able to develop strategies for the client. This includes: (1) considering
potential opportunities and constraints in developing strategies, and (2) assessing
information to develop strategies.

Synthesis: integrates the information needed to develop and evaluate strategies to create a
comprehensive financial plan.

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 12 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Candidates will be at liberty to apply the total time allotted of 180 minutes between the two
sections – Case Study-based questions and Financial Planning Principles-based standalone
questions. It is not required that a candidate should qualify on each of these two sections to be
assessed as successful. Hence, these two sections are compensatory in earning marks, that is,
a shortfall in one section can be compensated for a superior performance in the other section.

Areas of Practice / Competencies


The CFP Exam will test the following competencies through case study and multiple-choice
questions. Refer to FPSB’s Financial Planner Competency Profile for more detailed
descriptions.

Part 1. Integrated Financial Planning


Risk Management and Insurance Planning
• Assess the client’s risk exposure against current insurance coverage and risk
management strategies
• Assess the implications of changes to insurance coverage
• Prioritize the client’s risk management needs
• Develop risk management strategies
• Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each risk management strategy
Estate Planning
• Analyze constraints to meeting the client’s estate planning objectives
• Compare potential estate planning strategies
• Assess the specific needs of beneficiaries
• Develop estate planning strategies, including living estate planning
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each estate planning strategy
• Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing estate planning
recommendations
Investment Planning and Asset Management
• Develop asset management strategies
• Select appropriate investment vehicles to implement the recommended strategy
• Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing asset management
recommendations
• Prepare an Investment Policy Statement
Retirement Planning
• Develop financial projections based on current position, including any gap between
income needs and funding
• Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each retirement planning strategy
• Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing retirement planning
recommendations
• Discuss with the client the impact of changes in assumptions on financial projections
• Discuss Retirement Cash Flow, Withdrawal Projections and Strategies
Tax Planning
• Analyze existing and potential tax strategies and structures for suitability
• Assess financial impact of tax planning alternatives
• Develop tax planning strategies
• Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each tax planning strategy

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 13 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Personal Financial Management


• Assess debt and financing alternatives
• Develop financial management strategies
• Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each financial management strategy
Integrated Financial Planning
• Determine the client’s attitudes, biases, drivers and level of financial sophistication
• Examine the impact of economic, political and regulatory environments
• Prioritize recommendations from the financial planning components to optimize the
client’s situation in light of the client’s goals
Part 2. FPSB Financial Planning Practice Standards
Financial Planning Process, Principles and Practice
• Professional Skills
• Client Characteristics
• Client Engagement and Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Regulatory Environment of Financial Planning
Regulatory Environment of Financial Planning – India
• Legal and Professional Requirement of advice
• Advice for different products under respective regulations
• SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013
• Investment Advisers Regulations and FPSB’s Financial Planning Process
• Other relevant regulations and norms related to the practice environment

Appeal Process

Candidates may choose to appeal the results of an exam by submitting a request at


https://india.fpsb.org/product/india-cfp-exam-evaluation/.
Once submitted, exam results will be reviewed in detail and the Candidate will receive additional
determination information. Any appeal must be received no later than 30 days from the intimation of the
exam result in LMS or through email. The decision after the appeal is completed will be considered final.

Copyright © 2023, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 14 | 39
Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Step 3. Work Experience

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM

1) Education 2) Exam 3) Experience 4) Ethics

Instructor-led learning Areas of Practice Relevant FPSB Professional


with FPSB Areas of Practice work experience in Ethics Course
Authorized -Integrated Financial the financial (online)
Education Provider Planning planning process
or self-paced -FPSB Financial (three years Agree to abide
learning with / Planning unsupervised; or by FPSB’s Code of
without a mentor Practice one year Ethics and
Standards supervised) Professional
Graduate degree Responsibility,
required at time of Financial Planning
certification Practice Standards,
Rules of Conduct and
marks use rules

FPSB recognizes the importance of work experience to support financial planning professionals
in learning how to apply financial planning knowledge in diverse or complex client situations.

Relevant Work Experience


To obtain CFP certification, you will need to be able to demonstrate experience in the financial
sector, where you have carried out functions included in FPSB’s Financial Planner Competency
Profile (i.e. Financial Management, Asset Management, Risk Management, Tax Planning,
Retirement Planning and Estate Planning).

An individual demonstrates relevant work experience in working with clients while:


• Engaging in practice described in FPSB’s Financial Planning Practice Standards;
• Applying the abilities, skills and knowledge described in FPSB’s Financial Planner
Competency Profile; and
• Adhering to ethical principles described in FPSB’s Financial Planner Code of Ethics and
Professional Responsibility.

FPSB considers pro bono volunteer engagements as valid for meeting the experience
requirements. The goal of pro bono financial planning is to help people take control of their
financial lives by connecting the financial planning community to those who could benefit.
Typically, pro bono services are offered to individuals and families who seek out guidance; have
limited financial resources; have experienced a financial shock such as loss in the family, major
unanticipated costs; and would benefit from objective financial education or advice.

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Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

You can obtain relevant work experience by:


• working for one year under the supervision of a CFP practitioner. This supervised work
experience relationship needs the prior approval and registration of FPSB. The
supervising CFP practitioner will need to attest to your successful completion of this
work experience requirement.

• demonstrating valid unsupervised experience of three years’ experience in financial


planning or various financial services including accounting/ fund accounting/ audit in
collective investment schemes, financial consulting, financial advisory and investment
advisory services, stock broking and trading services, journalism in personal finance,
and corporate finance.

Step 4. Ethics

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM

1) Education 2) Exam 3) Experience 4) Ethics

Instructor-led learning Areas of Practice Relevant FPSB Professional


with FPSB Areas of Practice work experience in Ethics Course
Authorized -Integrated Financial the financial (online)
Education Provider Planning planning process
or self-paced -FPSB Financial (three years Agree to abide
learning with / Planning Practice unsupervised; by FPSB’s Code of
without a mentor Standards one year Ethics and
supervised) Professional
Graduate degree Responsibility,
required at time of Financial Planning
certification Practice Standards,
Rules of Conduct and
marks use rules

FPSB Online Ethics Course


Candidates for CFP certification need to successfully complete FPSB’s Professional Ethics
Course, which can be completed online in MyFPSBlearning. This interactive course, included
with your purchase of the FPSB CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM certification course
materials, consists of recorded instruction that can be taken in one or multiple sittings with
knowledge checks throughout.

Ethics Attestation
Once candidates have passed FPSB’s Professional Ethic Course, they must attest and agree to
abide by FPSB’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility to obtain and maintain CFP
certification.

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Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Rules of Conduct
Candidates for CFP certification also need to commit to commit to adhere to the Rules of
Conduct for CFP Professionals (in Appendix E. Rules of Conduct for CFP Professionals).
FPSB’s Rules of Conduct establish standards for the level and type of conduct expected of CFP
professionals, and serve as the enforcement mechanism for FPSB’s Code of Ethics and
Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards. FPSB’s Rules of
Conduct are binding on all individuals who are authorized to use the CFP marks in
India, whether or not the individuals are using the CFP marks to promote themselves.
Consequently, all CFP professionals must be knowledgeable and aware of FPSB’s Rules of
Conduct and need to apply and abide by rules that are relevant to their activities.

Certification Application
Once you have met all requirements, you may apply for CFP certification in the
MyFPSBlearning platform.

Ongoing Certification Requirements


To maintain the right to use the CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERCM and logo
marks in India, CFP certification holders must maintain their professional skills, knowledge and
abilities through continuing professional development (CPD) activities.

FPSB requires a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional in India to renew CFP


certification annually. To remain certified, you will need to:
• Avoid violations of FPSB’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Financial
Planning Practice Standards or applicable laws and regulations
• Commit to adhere to FPSB’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility,
Financial Planning Practice Standards and any applicable laws and regulations
• Commit to adhere to FPSB’s Rules of Conduct for CFP Professionals (in Appendix
E. Rules of Conduct for CFP Professionals.
• Agree to abide by FPSB’s rules for use of the CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL
PLANNERCM and logo marks in India
• Complete at least 15 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours/points. All
points must be completed before applying for renewal of CFP certification. At least
two CPD hours/points need to directly relate to FPSB’s Code of Ethics and
Professional Responsibility or Financial Planning Practice Standards.

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Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Appendix A. FPSB Financial Planner Competency Profile


1. Financial Planning Principles, Process and Skills
1.1 Apply the financial planning process
1.2 Demonstrate ethical standards in dealings and relationships with clients and third
parties
1.3 Apply ethical principles, standards of practice and rules of conduct for the practice of
financial planning, relevant to the jurisdiction
1.4 Demonstrate communications skills
1.5 Demonstrate analytical skills
1.6 Demonstrate presentation skills
1.7 Demonstrate knowledge of relevant regulatory, economic and political environments
1.8 Demonstrate relevant knowledge of law and considers and discusses the impact of
compliance issues on the practice of financial planning
1.9 Discuss client engagement and behavioral aspects of financial planning applicable to
the financial planning engagement
1.10 Demonstrate the ability to understand and address client attitudes toward risk
1.11 Demonstrate knowledge of practice management and other business aspects of
financial planning
1.12 Apply time-value-of-money principles
1.13 Explain non-retirement employee and government benefits

Collection
Collects the quantitative and qualitative information required to develop a financial
plan
1) Financial Management
1.1 Collect information regarding the client’s assets and liabilities
1.2 Collect information regarding the client’s cash flow, income and/or obligations
1.3 Collect information necessary to prepare a budget
1.4 Prepare statements of the client’s net worth, cash flow and budget
1.5 Determine the client’s propensity to save
1.6 Determine how the client makes spending decisions
1.7 Determine the client’s attitudes toward debt
2) Tax Principles and Optimization
2.1 Collect the information necessary to establish the client’s tax position
2.2 Identify taxable nature of assets and liabilities
2.3 Identify the tax structure of client accounts
2.4 Identify current, deferred and future tax liabilities
2.5 Identify parties relevant to the client’s tax situation
2.6 Determine the client’s attitudes toward taxation
3) Investment Planning / Asset Management
3.1 Collect information to prepare detailed statement of investment holdings
3.2 Determine the client’s current asset allocation
3.3 Identify cash flows available for investment, and expected withdrawals from the
investment portfolio
3.4 Determine the client’s attitudes/biases towards and experience with investments
3.5 Determine the client’s investment objectives
3.6 Determine the client’s tolerance for investment risk
3.7 Identify the client’s assumptions and return expectations and mutually agree on planning
assumptions
3.8 Identify the client’s goal achievement time horizons

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4) Risk Management and Insurance Planning


4.1 Collect details of the client’s existing insurance coverage
4.2 Identify potential financial obligations of the client
4.3 Determine the client’s risk management objectives and risk exposures
4.4 Determine the client’s tolerance for risk exposure
4.5 Determine relevant family and lifestyle issues and attitudes
4.6 Determine health issues
4.7 Determine the client’s willingness to take active steps to manage financial risk, including
lifestyle and health issues
5) Retirement Planning
5.1 Collect the details of potential sources of retirement income
5.2 Collect the details of estimated retirement expenses
5.3 Determine the client’s retirement objectives
5.4 Determine the client’s attitudes towards retirement
5.5 Mutually agree on the client’s comfort with retirement planning assumptions
6) Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer
6.1 Collect legal agreements and documents impacting estate planning strategies
6.2 Identify the client’s estate planning objectives
6.3 Identify family dynamics and business relationships that could impact estate planning
strategies
7) Integrated Financial Planning
7.1 Identify the client’s objectives, needs, values and constraints (e.g., taxes) that have
financial implications, with time and funding (money) specificity and prioritization
7.2 Identify the information for the financial plan
7.3 Identify the client’s legal issues that affect the financial plan
7.4 Determine the client’s attitudes, biases, drivers and level of financial sophistication
7.5 Identify material changes in the client’s personal and financial situation
7.6 Prepare information to enable analysis

Analysis
Analyze potential opportunities and constraints and assess information to develop
strategies
1) Financial Management
1.1 Determine whether the client is living within financial means
1.2 Determine the issues relevant to the client’s assets and liabilities
1.3 Determine the client’s emergency fund provision
1.4 Compare potential cash management strategies for the client
1.5 Assess whether the emergency fund is adequate
1.6 Assess the impact of potential changes in income and expenses
1.7 Identify conflicting demands on cash flow
1.8 Assess financing alternatives
2) Tax Principles and Optimization
2.1 Review relevant tax documents
2.2 Analyze existing and potential tax strategies and structures for suitability
2.3 Assess financial impact of tax planning alternatives
3) Investment Planning / Asset Management
3.1 Calculate required real rate of return to reach the client’s objectives
3.2 Determine the characteristics of investment holdings
3.3 Determine the implications of acquiring/disposing of assets
3.4 Analyze potential investment strategies

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3.5 Assess whether investment return expectations are consistent with the risk capacity and
tolerance
3.6 Assess whether asset holdings are consistent with risk capacity, tolerance and required
rate of return
3.7 Analyze client’s current holdings
3.8 Assess potential investment vehicles for use in client portfolios
4) Risk Management and Insurance Planning
4.1 Determine characteristics of existing insurance coverage
4.2 Examine current and potential risk management strategies
4.3 Assess exposure to financial risk
4.4 Assess the client’s risk exposure against current insurance coverage and risk
management strategies
4.5 Assess the implications of changes to insurance coverage
4.6 Prioritize the client’s risk management needs
5) Retirement Planning
5.1 Develop financial projections based on current position, including any gap between
income needs and funding
5.2 Determine if the client’s retirement objectives are realistic
5.3 Examine potential retirement planning strategies
5.4 Assess financial requirements at retirement to maintain desired lifestyle
5.5 Assess the impact of changes in assumptions on financial projections
5.6 Assess trade-offs necessary to meet retirement objectives
6) Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer
6.1 Project net worth at death
6.2 Analyze constraints to meeting the client’s estate planning objectives
6.3 Compare potential estate planning strategies
6.4 Calculate potential expenses and taxes owed at death
6.5 Assess the specific needs of beneficiaries
6.6 Assess the liquidity of the estate at death
7) Integrated Financial Planning
7.1 Analyze the client’s objectives, needs, values and information to prioritize the financial
planning areas
7.2 Examine inter-relationships among financial planning areas
7.3 Compare opportunities and constraints and assess collected information across
financial planning areas
7.4 Examine the impact of economic, political and regulatory environments

Synthesis
Synthesize information to develop and evaluate strategies to create a financial plan
1) Financial Management
1.1 Develop financial management strategies
1.2 Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each financial management strategy
1.3 Optimize strategies to make financial management recommendations
1.4 Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing financial management
recommendations
2) Tax Principles and Optimization
2.1 Develop tax planning strategies
2.2 Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each tax planning strategy
2.3 Optimize strategies to make tax planning recommendations
2.4 Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing tax planning recommendations

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3) Investment Planning / Asset Management


3.1 Develop asset management strategies
3.2 Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each asset management strategy
3.3 Optimize strategies to make asset management recommendations
3.3 Select appropriate investment vehicles to implement the recommended strategy
3.4 Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing asset management
recommendations
3.5 Prepare and Investment Policy Statement
3.6 Prepare periodic reporting material
4) Risk Management and Insurance Planning
4.1 Develop risk management strategies
4.2 Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each risk management strategy
4.3 Optimize strategies to make risk management recommendations
4.4 Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing risk management
recommendations
5) Retirement Planning
5.1 Develop retirement planning strategies
5.2 Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of each retirement planning strategy
5.3 Optimize strategies to make retirement planning recommendations
5.4 Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing retirement planning
recommendations
5.5 Discuss with the client the impact of changes in assumptions on financial projections
6) Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer
6.1 Develop estate planning strategies, including living estate planning
6.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each estate planning strategy
6.3 Optimize strategies to make estate planning recommendations
6.4 Prioritize action steps to assist the client in implementing estate planning
recommendations
7) Integrated Financial Planning
7.1 Prioritize recommendations from the financial planning areas to optimize the client’s
situation
7.2 Consolidate the recommendations and action steps into a financial plan (written or
iterative in an interactive format)
7.3 Measure the progress toward achievement of the financial plan objectives
7.4 Determine the appropriate process and cycle of review for the financial plan

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Appendix B. FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning Course


Learning Objectives
Module 1: Financial Planning Standards and Skills
Chapter 1: Financial Planning Principles, Process and Skills
Learning Objectives
Apply the financial planning process to meet client objectives.
1-2 Apply the Financial Planning Practice Standards
1-3 Develop a suitable financial planning goal
1-4 Identify characteristics of sound professional judgement
1-5 Apply rules of conduct for a CFP professional

Knowledge Items
1.1 Financial Planning Process
1.2 The Process
1.3 Financial Planning Practice Standards
1.4 Establish and Define the Relationship with the Client
1.5 Collect the Client’s Information
1.6 Analyze and Assess the Client’s Financial Status
1.7 Develop the Financial Planning Recommendations
1.8 Review the Client’s Situation
1.9 Goals
1.10 Professional Judgment
1.11 Rules of Conduct

Chapter 2: Professional Skills


Learning Objectives
2-1 Describe components of professional responsibility
2-2 Identify skills that support professional practice
2-3 Demonstrate the ability to gather and use information required to make relevant client
recommendations

Knowledge Items
2.1 Professional Responsibility
2.1.1 Behave Like a Fiduciary
2.1.2 Act in Accordance with Professional Expectations
2.1.3 Provide Full and Appropriate Disclosure
2.1.4 Act with Transparency
2.1.5 Manage Conflicts of Interest
2.1.6 Secure Fully Informed Client Consent
2.1.7 Communicate the Compensation/Remuneration Model
2.2 Practice
2.3 Information Required to make Recommendations
2.3.1 Cash Flow Management and the Use of Debt
2.3.2 Management of Personal Risks and Insurance
2.3.3 Retirement Advice Issues
2.3.4 Investment Strategies and Products
2.3.5 Tax and Estate Distribution

Chapter 3: Client Characteristics

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Learning Objectives
3-1 Apply Knowledge Items of personality and behavior when working with clients
3-2 Analyze the impact of a life event on a client’s financial plan
3-3 Describe factors related to working with senior adults
3-4 Apply financial planning professional skills to working with special needs situations
3-5 Describe how to effectively work with a challenging client

Knowledge Items
3.1 Working with Individual Personality and Behavior
3.2 Life Events
3.3 Working with Seniors
3.4 Working with Special Needs Situations
3.5 Journey toward Partnership

Chapter 4: Client Engagement and Communication


Learning Objectives
4-1 Apply effective communication skills in a client engagement situation
4-2 Employ effective discovery skills in a client engagement situation
4-3 Demonstrate proficient listening skills in a client engagement situation

Knowledge Items
4.1 Communication Skills
4.1.1 Addressing Communication Concerns
4.2 Discovery Process
4.2.1 Listening
4.2.2 Appreciative Inquiry

Chapter 5: Critical Thinking


Learning Objectives
5-1 Demonstrate the ability to employ critical thinking to make appropriate decisions

Knowledge Items
5.1 Critical Thinking in the Financial Planning Process
5.2 What is Critical Thinking?

Chapter 6: Regulatory Environment of Financial Planning - India


Learning Objectives
6-1 Understand the legal and professional requirement of advice
6-2 Describe the regulatory environment of financial planning related to advice
6-3 Understand SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013
6-4 Understand the eligibility criteria for Investment Advisers – qualification, certification,
experience
6-5 Describe other mandated requirements and procedures for Investment Advisers
6-6 Analyze the implications of holding out as advisers – individual and non-individual
6-7 Understand and analyze general obligations and responsibilities of Investment Advisers
6-8 Describe the Code of Conduct of Investment Advisers
6-9 Differentiate between FPSB’s financial planning process and its scope under Investment
Advisers Regulations

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Knowledge Items
6.1 Legal and Professional Requirement of advice
6.1.1 Advice for different products under respective regulations
6.2 SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013
6.1.1 Definitions of Investment advice, Investment Adviser, Financial Planning, etc.
6.1.2 Regulatory environment of financial planning related to advice
6.1.3 Requirement to register and exemptions from registration
6.1.4 Eligibility criteria for Investment Advisers – qualification, certification,
experience, etc.
6.1.5 Investment Advisers – individual and non-individual
6.1.6 Other mandated requirements and procedures for Investment Advisers
6.1.5 Segregation of advice and execution services, and other disclosures
6.1.6 Managing conflicts of interest
6.1.7 General obligations and responsibilities of Investment Advisers
6.1.8 Code of Conduct for Investment Advisers – Fiduciary relationship
6.3 Investment Advisers Regulations and FPSB’s Financial Planning Process

6.4 Broad Powers of SEBI to adjudicate and impose penalty


6.5 Violation of SEBI (IA) Regulations by intermediaries and RIA –
Consequences; some case studies
6.6 Other Regulations relevant to Compliance and Practice
6.6.1 SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to the
Securities Market) Regulations, 2003
6.6.2 SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015
6.7 Do’s and Don’ts issued by SEBI for investors

Module 2: Engaging Clients in the Financial Planning Process


Chapter 1: Introduction to the Discovery Process
Learning Objectives
1-1 Describe elements of an effective discovery process
1-2 Demonstrate appropriate emotional intelligence
1-3 Apply the four “As” in setting the financial planning process structure

Knowledge Items
1.1 Discovery Overview
1.2 Emotional Intelligence
1.3 Setting the Structure
1.3.1 Apply the Financial Planning Discovery Process

Chapter 2: Appreciative Inquiry


Learning Objectives
2-1 Compare appreciative inquiry to problem solving
2-2 Apply appreciative inquiry to the financial planning process

Knowledge Items
2.1 Appreciative inquiry Compared with Problem Solving
2.1.1 Real Concerns

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2.2 AI in Financial Planning

Chapter 3: Discovery Process Applied


Learning Objectives
3-1 Describe effective communication skills
3-2 Illustrate effective skills to deal with difficult conversations
3-3 Apply effective storytelling in a financial planning engagement
3-4 Demonstrate components of effective discovery meetings

Knowledge Items
3.1 Client Communication
3.1.1 Building Effective Communication Skills
3.1.2 Difficult Conversations
3.1.3 Telling your Story
3.2 Effective Discovery Meetings

Chapter 4: Goal Determination, Refinement and Setting


Learning Objectives
4-1 Demonstrate how to move from a dream to a SMART goal
4-2 Apply mind mapping to the financial planning process

Knowledge Items
4.1 Dream Decisions
4.2 Goal Determination and Refinement
4.2.1 SMART Goal Application
4.2.2 Mind Mapping
4.2.2.1 Financial Prioritization

Chapter 5: Develop Financial Planning Recommendations


Learning Objectives
5-1 Apply applicable Practice Standards when developing financial planning recommendations
5-2 Construct financial planning recommendations
5-3 Evaluate financial planning recommendations to determine the degree to which they support
a client’s life goals
5-4 Prepare financial planning recommendations for presentation to the client

Knowledge Items
5.1 Applicable Practice Standards
5.2 Analyze Information
5.2.1 Review Prospective Planning Strategies
5.3 Develop Client-Based Recommendations

Chapter 6: Presenting Recommendations to Clients


Learning Objectives
6-1 Apply desirable communication skills to more effectively engage clients
6-2 Modify recommendations to comply with client requests
6-3 Construct a plan of action
6-4 Present finalized plan of action to gain client agreement to implement financial planning
recommendations

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Knowledge Items
6.1 Communication Plan
6.1.1 SPIN Process
6.2 Making Adjustments Without Losing Focus
6.3 How and When to Disagree
6.4 Construct a Plan of Action
6.5 Implement Financial Planning Recommendations

Module 3: Developing Effective Financial Plans


Chapter 1: Financial Planning Overview
Learning Objectives
1-1 Identify client objectives, goals, needs and values that have financial implications.
1-2 Identify information for the financial plan.
1-3 Identify client legal issues that affect the financial plan.
1-4 Describe client attitudes and level of financial sophistication.
1-5 Identify material changes in the client’s personal and financial situation.
1-6 Categorize information to enable analysis.

Knowledge Items
1.1 Financial Planning definition and components
1.2 FPSB’s Professional skills categories
1.3 Interpersonal Skills
1.4 FPSB’s Financial Planner Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
1.5 Conflicts of Interest
1.6 Disclosures to the Client

Chapter 2: Financial Plan Elements


Learning Objectives
2-1 Analyze client objectives, needs, values and information to prioritize financial planning
components.
2-2 Determine the inter-relationships among the financial planning components.
2-3 Determine opportunities and constraints and assess collected information across financial
planning components.
2-4 Determine the impact of economic, political and regulatory environments.
2-5 Analyze progress toward achieving objectives of the financial plan.
2-6 Apply FPSB’s Financial Planning Practice Standards to the financial planning process.

Knowledge Items
2.1 FPSB Professional Skills
2.2 Financial Planning Projection assumptions
2.3 Data collection needs
2.4 Client attitudes, goals and objectives

Chapter 3: Developing Effective Financial Plans


Learning Objectives
3-1 Prioritize recommendations from the Financial Planning Components to optimize the client’s
situation.
3-2 Categorize the recommendations and action steps into a financial plan.
3-3 Evaluate the impact of economic, political, and regulatory issues with regard to the financial
plan.
3-4 Evaluate the appropriate cycle of review for the financial plan.

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3-5 Effectively present the financial plan, including information based on classwork, research or
simulated client interaction.

Knowledge Items
3.1 Financial Planning Components
3.2 Financial Plan

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Appendix C. Work Experience Reporting (from Supervisor or by


Self-Reporting)
FPSB will seek attestation that a candidate for CFP certification has experience in at least four
of the six financial planning areas. This experience is mapped by demonstrating competencies
in each financial planning area in the FPSB Financial Planner Competency Profile (per
Appendix A).

A. Engagement in Financial Planning Areas


Financial Planning Component: Financial Management
Has the candidate engaged in financial Yes/No
management during the period of
experience?
Financial Management
Asset Management
Risk Management
Tax Planning
Retirement Planning
Estate Planning

B. Engagement in Financial Planning Practices


The candidate for CFP certification should indicate which elements of the financial planning
process he or she applied and whether he or she engaged in any of the Financial Planning
Practice Standards during the work experience period.

Financial Planning Process Related Practice Standards


1. Established and defined 1.1 Informed a client about financial planning
the relationship with a client 1.2 Determined whether he/she can meet a client’s needs
1.3 Defined the scope of engagement with a client
2. Collected a client’s 2.1 Identified a client’s personal and financial objectives,
information needs and priorities
2.2 Collected the quantitative information and documents of a
client
2.3 Collected the qualitative information of a client
3. Analyzed and assessed a 3.1 Analyzed a client’s information
client’s financial status 3.2 Assessed a client’s objectives, needs and priorities
4. Developed financial 4.1 Identified and evaluated a client’s financial planning
planning recommendations strategies
for a client and presented 4.2 Developed financial planning recommendations for a client
the recommendations 4.3 Presented financial planning recommendations to a client
5. Implemented financial 5.1 Implementation of responsibilities
planning recommendations 5.2 Presented products and services to a client for
for a client implementation
6. Reviewed a client’s 6.1 Agreed on responsibilities and terms for review of a
situation client’s situation
6.2 Reviewed and re-evaluated a client’s situation
I _______________________ declare hereby that I am familiar with the financial planning
process and that I applied related financial planning practices as indicated above during the
work experience period.

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Appendix D. FPSB Code of Ethics and Professional


Responsibility
FPSB CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Observing the highest ethical and professional standards allows CFP professionals to serve the
interests of clients and promote the profession for the benefit of society. As part of their
commitment, CFP professionals should provide appropriate disclosures and comply with ethical
standards when delivering advice to clients. FPSB has incorporated ethical behavior and
judgment, and compliance with ethical standards, into its global standards for CFP
professionals. To ensure these obligations are understood, FPSB incorporates ethical standards
into its CFP certification requirements.

FPSB’s Code of Ethics Principles are statements expressing in general terms the ethical
standards that CFP professionals should adhere to in their professional activities. The
comments following each Principle further explain the intent of the Principle. The Principles are
aspirational and are intended to provide guidance for CFP professionals on appropriate and
acceptable professional behavior.

FPSB’s Code of Ethics Principles reflect CFP professionals’ recognition of their responsibilities
to clients, colleagues and employers. The Principles guide the performance and activities of
anyone involved in the practice of advice; the concept and intent of these Principles are adapted
and enforced on CFP professionals by FPSB through rules of professional conduct.

Principle 1 – Client First


Place the client’s interests first.
Placing the client’s interests first is a hallmark of professionalism, requiring the CFP professional
to act honestly and not place personal gain or advantage before the client’s interests.

Principle 2 – Integrity
Provide professional services with integrity.
Integrity requires honesty and candor in all professional matters. CFP professionals are placed
in positions of trust by clients, and the ultimate source of that trust is the professional’s personal
integrity. Allowance can be made for legitimate differences of opinion, but integrity cannot co-
exist with deceit or subordination of one’s principles. Integrity requires a CFP professional to
observe both the letter and the spirit of the Code of Ethics.

Principle 3 – Objectivity
Provide professional services objectively.
Objectivity requires intellectual honesty and impartiality. Regardless of the services delivered or
the capacity in which a CFP professional functions, objectivity requires that CFP professionals
ensure the integrity of their work, manage conflicts of interest and exercise sound professional
judgment.

Principle 4 – Fairness
Be fair and reasonable in all professional relationships. Disclose and manage conflicts of
interest.
Fairness requires providing clients what they are due, owed or should expect from a
professional relationship, and includes honesty and disclosure of material conflicts of interest.
Fairness involves managing one’s own feelings, prejudices and desires to achieve a proper

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balance of interests. Fairness is treating others in the same manner that you would want to be
treated.

Principle 5 – Professionalism
Act in a manner that demonstrates exemplary professional conduct.
Professionalism requires behaving with dignity and showing respect and courtesy to clients,
fellow professionals, and others in business-related activities, and complying with appropriate
rules, regulations and professional requirements. Professionalism requires CFP professional,
individually and in cooperation with peers, to enhance and maintain the profession’s public
image and its ability to serve the public interest.

Principle 6 – Competence
Maintain the abilities, skills and knowledge necessary to provide professional services
competently.
Competence requires obtaining and maintaining an adequate level of abilities, skills and
knowledge in the provision of professional services. Competence also includes the wisdom to
recognize one’s own limitations and when consultation with other professionals is appropriate or
referral to other professionals necessary. Competence requires the CFP professional to make a
continuing commitment to learning and professional improvement.

Principle 7 – Confidentiality
Protect the confidentiality of all client information.
Confidentiality requires that client information be protected and maintained in such a manner
that allows access only to those who are authorized. A relationship of trust and confidence with
the client can only be built on the understanding that the client’s information will not be disclosed
inappropriately.

Principle 8 – Diligence
Provide professional services diligently.
Diligence requires fulfilling professional commitments in a timely and thorough manner and
taking due care in delivering professional services.

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Appendix E. Rules of Conduct for CFP Professionals


1. A CFP professional shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, to clients or any other
parties, any false or misleading information directly or indirectly related to the CFP
professional’s qualifications or services.

2. A CFP professional shall not mislead clients or any other parties about the potential benefits
of the CFP professional’s service.

3. A CFP professional shall disclose all relevant facts where the disclosure is necessary to
avoid misleading clients or any other parties.

4. A CFP professional shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or
misrepresentation, or knowingly make a false or misleading statement to clients or any other
parties.

5. A CFP professional shall clearly identify with the client the assets, if any, over which the CFP
professional will take custody, exercise investment discretion, or exercise supervision.

6. A CFP professional shall identify and keep updated records of all funds or other property of
the client in the custody, or under the discretionary authority, of the CFP professional.

7. A CFP professional shall not commingle the client’s property with the property of the CFP
professional, the CFP professional’s employer, or with other clients’ property unless the
commingling is permitted by law, is explicitly authorized and defined in a written agreement
between the parties, and the CFP professional has sufficient record-keeping to track each
client’s assets accurately.

8. A CFP professional shall at all times place the interest of the client first.

9. A CFP professional shall treat the client fairly and provide professional services with integrity
and objectivity.

10. A CFP professional shall ensure that his or her personal biases or interests do not adversely
affect his or her services to clients.

11. A CFP professional shall make and/or implement only recommendations that are suitable for
the client.

12. A CFP professional shall offer advice to clients only in those areas in which he or she is
competent. In areas where the CFP professional is not competent, the CFP professional
shall seek the counsel of, and/or refer clients to, qualified professionals.

13. A CFP professional shall maintain competence in all areas of his or her professional
practice.

14. A CFP professional shall keep informed about developments in financial planning and
participate in continuing professional development.

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15. If the services include financial planning or material elements of the financial planning
process, a CFP professional shall disclose the following information in writing to the client:
a. An accurate and understandable description of the compensation arrangements being
offered. This description must include information related to costs to the client and general
form and source of compensation to the CFP professional and/or the CFP professional’s
employer; and terms under which the CFP professional and/or the CFP professional’s
employer may receive any other sources of compensation, and if so, what the sources of
these payments are and on what they are based;

b. A general summary of likely conflicts of interest between the client and the CFP
professional, the CFP professional’s employer or any affiliates or third parties, including, but
not limited to, information about any familial, contractual or agency relationship of the CFP
professional or the CFP professional’s employer that has a potential to materially affect the
relationship with the client;

c. Any information about the CFP professional or the CFP professional’s employer that could
reasonably be expected to materially affect the client’s decision to engage the CFP
professional;

d. Any information that the client might reasonably want to know in establishing the scope and
nature of the relationship, including, but not limited to information about the CFP
professional’s areas of expertise; and

e. Contact information for the CFP professional and, if applicable, the CFP professional’s
employer.

On an ongoing basis, the CFP professional shall make timely disclosure to the client of any
material changes to the above information.

16. A CFP professional shall not borrow money from a client. This Rule does not apply when:
a. The client is a member of the CFP professional’s immediate family;
b. The client is an institution in the business of lending money and the borrowing is unrelated
to the professional services performed by the CFP professional.

17. A CFP professional shall not lend money to a client. This Rule does not apply when:
a. The client is a member of the CFP professional’s immediate family;
b. The CFP professional is an employee of an institution in the business of lending money and
the money lent is that of the institution, not the CFP professional.

18. A CFP professional shall treat the client’s information as confidential except as required in
response to proper legal process or regulatory requirements; as necessitated by obligations
to a CFP professional’s employer or partners; to defend against charges of wrongdoing; in
connection with a civil dispute; or as needed to perform professional services on behalf of
the client.

19. A CFP professional shall take prudent steps to protect the security of the client’s information
and property, including the security of stored information, whether physically or
electronically, that is within the CFP professional’s control.

20. A CFP professional shall exercise reasonable and prudent professional judgment in
providing professional services.

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21. A CFP professional shall be in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory
requirements governing professional services provided to the client.

22. A CFP professional who is an employee/agent shall perform professional services with
dedication to the lawful objectives of the employer/principal and in accordance with the
FPSB Member’s Code of Ethics.

23. A CFP professional shall abide by the terms of all agreements with the FPSB Member,
including, but not limited to, using the CFP marks properly and cooperating fully with the
FPSB Member’s trademark and professional review processes and requirements.

24. A CFP professional shall meet all of the FPSB Member’s requirements, including continuing
professional development requirements, to retain the right to use the CFP marks.

25. A CFP professional shall notify the FPSB Member in writing of any conviction of a crime (as
defined by the Member), or any professional suspension or revocation within the time
specified by the FPSB Member after the date on which the CFP professional is notified of
the conviction, suspension or revocation.

26. A CFP professional shall notify the FPSB Member of changes to contact information,
including e-mail address, telephone number(s) and physical address, within the time
specified by the FPSB Member of the change.

27. A CFP professional shall not engage in any conduct which reflects adversely on his or her
integrity or fitness as a CFP professional, upon the CFP marks, or upon the financial
planning profession.

28. A CFP professional shall provide professional services in a timely and thorough manner.

29. Consistent with the scope of the engagement, a CFP professional shall undertake a
reasonable investigation of the products and services to be recommended to clients. A CFP
professional may rely upon an investigation undertaken by a third party provided it is
reasonable to place reliance on the quality of such investigation.

30. A CFP professional shall provide reasonable and prudent professional supervision of, or
direction to, any subordinate or third party to whom the CFP professional assigns
responsibility for any client services.

31. A CFP professional shall return the client’s property upon request as soon as practicable or
consistent with a time frame specified in an agreement with the client.

32. The CFP professional and the client shall mutually agree upon the services to be provided
by the CFP professional.

33. If the services include financial planning or material elements of the financial planning
process, prior to entering into an agreement, the CFP professional shall provide written
information and/or discuss with the client the following:
a. The obligations and responsibilities of each party under the agreement with respect to
defining the client’s objectives, needs and priorities; gathering and providing appropriate
data; examining the result of the client’s current course(s) of action without changes; the

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formulation of any recommended actions; implementation responsibilities for the financial


planning recommendations; and responsibilities for reviewing for the financial planning
recommendations;
b. Compensation that any party to the agreement or any affiliate to a party to the agreement
will or could receive under the terms of the agreement; and factors or terms that determine
costs to the client, how decisions benefit the CFP professional and the relative benefit to the
CFP professional;
c. Terms under which the CFP professional will use proprietary products;
d. Terms under which the CFP professional will use other entities/professionals to meet any of
the agreement’s obligations;
e. The process for terminating the relationship; and
f. Procedures for resolution of client claims and complaints against the CFP professional.

34. If the services include financial planning or material elements of the financial planning
process, the CFP professional or the CFP professional’s employer shall enter into a written
agreement governing the financial planning services (“Agreement”). The Agreement shall
specify:
a. The parties to the Agreement;
b. The date of the Agreement and its duration;
c. How and on what terms each party is able to terminate the Agreement; and
d. The services to be provided as part of the Agreement.

35. A CFP professional shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the client understands the
financial planning recommendation(s) to allow the client to make informed decisions.

36. A CFP professional shall know and reasonably apply the Financial Planning Practice
Standards that are relevant to the scope of the engagement with the client.

37. A CFP professional shall know and apply the Financial Planner Code of Ethics and
Professional Responsibility in his or her professional activities.

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Pricing

Enrollment - Enrollment fee for Regular Pathway candidates is annual and is valid across all
courses available. For example, a candidate can enroll on 1 Jan and take all courses within 365
days without additional charge. A candidate who passes the FPSB® Investment Planning
Specialist exam and takes the FPSB® Investment Planning Specialist certification can continue
as a certificant and pursue other Specialist certification courses without a need to renew
enrollment. The Specialist certification shall be renewed on annual basis and a candidate while
retaining his/her Specialist certification will attempt the Integrated Financial Planning Course.

A candidate who does not take a Specialist certification shall be required to pay a renewal fee
upon expiration of initial enrollment period which will be valid for an additional 365 days.

Within the expiry period of a candidate’s Specialist certifications, if he/she passes the CFP®
Exam and also meets the certification criteria, he/she will be awarded CFP certification at no
additional cost and expiring withing the overall validity period of the already issued Specialist
certifications.

The following is the summary of various charges applicable at the stages of attaining CFP
certification:

Self-Paced / Instructor-Led Registration Fee INR 18,000 One-time enrolment fee


Annual (if renewed before
Candidate Registration Renewal Fee INR 11,500
expiry, else INR 18,000)
Specialist Education Materials
- Textbooks Per course,
INR 6,500
- Interactive Courses Required for all candidates
- Practice questions
Specialist Certification Exams INR 6,750 Per exam per attempt
Revaluation of Exam attempt INR 3,000 Per exam revaluation
Annual (a single charge for any
Specialist Certification /Renewal INR 8,600 one or all three Specialist
certifications)
Integrated Financial Planning Course Material INR 13,000 Required for all candidates
Can be attempted in either
Financial Plan Assessment + CFP Exam Fees
INR 23,500 order, valid until 6 months from
(bundled price)
the date of purchase
Retake of Financial Plan Assessment INR 10,500 Per Financial Plan submission
Retake of CFP® Exam INR 12,900 Per exam per attempt
Annual (no Specialist certification
CFP Certification /Renewal INR 8,600
fees applicable hereafter)
Letter of Good standing INR 5,400 Per issue based on date

Price List for Challenge Pathway

A Challenge Pathway candidate, once enrolled, shall have the validity period of 365 days to
complete the Financial Plan assessment and CFP Exam. On exceeding this period, a candidate
shall renew his/her enrollment within the validity period at concessional renewal fee of INR
11,500 or shall pay INR 18,000 after the expiry of 365 days. The renewal confers the eligibility

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Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

to attempt further or remaining part of the two-stage Integrated Financial Planning course.

Non-refundable; adjusted if a
Document Verification INR 5,000 non-approval opts for Regular
Pathway
Registration + Course Material (both EP and
INR 34,000
Self study) (bundled price)
Can be attempted in either
Financial Plan Assessment + CFP® Exam
INR 23,500 order, valid until 6 months from
(bundled price)
the date of purchase
Retake of Financial Plan Assessment INR 10,500 Per submission
Retake of CFP® Exam INR 12,900 Per attempt
Revaluation of Exam attempt INR 3,000 Per exam attempt revaluation
Annual (no Specialist certification
CFP Certification /Renewal INR 8,600
fees applicable hereafter)
Letter of Good standing INR 5,400 Per issue based on date

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Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

Appendix F. Frequently Asked Questions


Step 1: Education
1. Am I required to purchase the textbooks?
Yes, all candidates for certification registered with FPSB are required to purchase
course textbooks. Your textbook purchase includes access to online interactive courses and
practice questions.
2. May I print or purchase a printed copy of the textbooks?
FPSB does not allow FPSB textbooks to be printed, for copyright purposes. Each time
you’d like to access the textbooks, please log into your FPSB online platform, MyFPSBlearning.
3. I heard about challenge status and self-study. Where can I find information about
those?
In the new program effective June 2020, candidates can pursue Specialist
certifications under ‘Self-paced learning’ mode to pursue all certifications. The
Challenge Pathway has been introduced from August 2022 wherein candidates
who have some specified higher qualifications/certifications and a 3-year
experience can participate in the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course
and pass CFP® Exam toward obtaining CFP certification.
4. What is the avenue to attain CFP certification for candidates who transition from
legacy pathway and who have one or more credits to the Specialist exams of the new
pathway curriculum?
FPSB provided to all legacy candidates a transitioning mechanism whereby they can
have their already passed legacy exams considered for credit in the new program and
pass the remaining in their drive to attain CFP Certification. This transition was
applicable up to 31st Dec, 2021. Those who have not availed of this offer, can register in
the new program afresh to pass all the exams. Those candidates who have passed all
legacy exams including Exam 5: Advanced Financial Planning, and have lapsed five
years since their having passed the said Exam 5, can enroll in the Challenge Pathway of
the new program to attempt again Financial Plan Assessment and CFP® Exam thus
getting exemption from passing the three Specialist exams.

Step 2: CFP® Exam


5. How is the CFP® exam created?
CFPCM professionals in India and internationally created cases that simulate common
financial planning practices. These cases and the exam questions have been reviewed
by multiple professionals in India before being placed into the India exam bank. The
subjects covered and their weightings are based on the exam specification that was
developed by the FPSB exam panel in India (supported by FPSB’s global exam
experts).
6. When can I take the CFP® exam?
Candidates may sign up to take the CFP® exam only after they have been declared
successful in the Financial Plan Assessment. FPSB publishes an Exam Calendar on
website for the continuing 3-month period. The first five calendar days in a month are for
exam registration. One can pay exam fee within this enrolment window to be eligible for
the CFP® Exam scheduled mostly on a Monday that occurs within the exam window
(from the 19th calendar day to the 25th calendar day) in the same month. The tests are
conducted in online-proctored system as well in-person at test centers. In online mode, a
candidate can take the test at own device (webcam-enabled Desktop or laptop) from
anywhere. The in-person exams are available at designated NSE test centers across

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India. Please be thorough on the exam conduct policies for online and in-person
examination before you opt for a test mode.
7. What resources may be available to study for the CFP exam?
FPSB encourages candidates to study the learning objectives and
knowledge items in the Financial Planner Competency Profile; the CFP exam blueprint;
and the practice questions in MyFPSBlearning.
8. When will I know my score on the CFP exam?
To ensure exam reliability and validity, FPSB will analyze the data from initial CFP
exams takers to determine a statistically valid and defensible passing score. This
process could delay results by few weeks. After the CFP exam pass score is set, future
exam-takers will know their results within 15 days.
9. Is there a limit to the number of times I may take the CFP exam?
There is no limit to the number of times you may take the CFP exam, but you may only
take the exam during the exam window provided.

Step 3: Experience

10. Which internship, articleship or part time jobs are considered as a valid work
experience for the CFP Certification?
Presently FPSB considers the articleship of Chartered Accountancy (CA) as valid work
experience. For other work domains, candidates are required to have their work
experience in one of the categories prescribed in the Experience guidelines. Please note
that FPSB does not accept part-time or freelance work experience as valid for CFP
Certification work experience.
11. What work domains are considered under ‘Financial Planning services’ and ‘Other
Financial services’ for work experience criteria?
Financial Planning Services - Any one of the six Financial Planning components (viz.
Risk Management and Insurance Planning, Estate Planning and Wealth Management,
Retirement Planning, Investment Planning and Asset Management, Personal Tax
Optimization, Personal Financial Management)
Other Financial Services - Accounting including Fund Accounting in collective
investment schemes and Audit, other organized Financial Consulting, Intermediation in
securities, Financial/Investment Products, Stock broking and trading services,
Journalism in Personal Finance and Corporate Finance. For persons employed with
banks, mutual funds insurance and Fintech companies, the experience relevant to
personal finance may be considered as valid.
12. How can the professionals such as doctors, lawyers, engineers etc. meet the work
experience criteria?
All professionals also have the option of meeting FPSB’s work experience requirement
for CFP certification through work as an authorised distributor/agent of a financial
services firm/company. FPSB reserves the right to accept or reject work experience as
valid based on inspection of the documents furnished by the candidate in support of his
or her work experience.

Step 4: Ethics
13. What are steps to complete the Ethics course?
FPSB provides an online, interactive ethics course in the MyFPSBlearning online portal.
You can go through the course at your own pace and complete the assessment
questions.

Initial and Ongoing Certification

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Guide to CFP® Certification [India] (Version 2.0, March 2023)

14. How long does the process take?


This depends on the individual and different factors such as industry experience, time to
prepare, familiarity and ability to do well on exams (in general), and the extent of
studying before the CFP exam.
15. How long is CFP certification valid for?
CFP certification is valid for one year. An individual may renew CFP certification after
completing the 15 annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and
completing the other renewal requirements in the FPSB online platform.
16. If I pass the CFP exam, may I use the marks?
No, you must meet all certification requirements, including attesting to FPSB’s Code of
Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Financial Planning Practice Standards and
Conduct Rules and CFP Marks Use Rules before using the CFP marks.

Other Questions
17. I registered before 1 June 2020. I would like to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL
PLANNERCM professional. How may I do that?
FPSB provided a transition mechanism from April 2021 until 31 December 2021 for
those who registered prior to 1 June 2020. Transition recognized individual exams
cleared in the old curriculum and allowed to complete remaining specialist certifications
and FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course in the new program. One who has not
availed this transition can register afresh in the CFP Certification Program and pass all
Specialist exams and FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning course.
18. I’d like to learn about FPSB’s other certifications. How do I do that?
You may visit https://india.fpsb.org/students/ to learn more about our Specialist
certifications and CFP certification.
19. I have a different query. Who should I contact?
You may address your query to the following email_id:
[email protected]

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