Course Overview
The next CFP session will begin in January 2009.
Classes meet weekly for twelve months. The six modules include:
Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance Planning
This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of financial planning. Students will receive an overview of specific areas such as income tax planning, investment planning, retirement planning and estate planning. In addition, this course will present topics on the concepts of the time value of money, education and retirement funding, and insurance planning. A financial calculator, such as an HP 12C or 10BII, is required.
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
This course introduces investment strategies, portfolio allocation theory and application, debt and equity securities, and portfolio management strategies. This course will also emphasize the importance of determining a client’s risk tolerance and goals and then managing an investment portfolio that incorporates a client’s level of risk while achieving financial goals.
Taxation of Persons, Property and Other Entities
This course will focus on the federal income tax system. Topics will include gross income inclusions, exclusions, deductions, exemptions and credits. This course will consider the income taxation of individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLC’s, and corporations (including S corporations). Finally, this module will present the students with tax minimization alternatives.
Retirement and Employee Benefits
This course includes the comprehensive study of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, other tax-advantaged plans, and employee benefits. In addition, this course will present an overview of the Social Security, disability and health care programs.
Estate Tax Planning
This course will provide students with an introduction to estate planning and the taxation of estates for the purposes of financial planning. In addition, the overall tax implications of gifts and bequests will be presented in a manner that provides students with taxation avoidance and minimization techniques to be used when planning a client’s estate.
Cases in Financial Planning
This course will involve case analysis and the integration of the six major areas of personal financial planning covered in the previous courses.
Students will examine the financial condition of individuals or families in a real-world application of the financial planning topics that have been covered in the previous five courses. Students will have the opportunity to develop a financial plan and present their recommendations. The course is an excellent preparation tool for professionals entering the field and for case-type questions on the
CFP® Certification Examination.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP(r), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(tm), and CFP (with flame logo)(r) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Belmont University does not certify individuals to use the CFP(r), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(tm), and the federally registered CFP (with flame logo)(r) certification marks. CFP certification is granted only by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP-Board Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience and examination requirements.
