CFP® Frequently Asked Questions
General
Why a certification program?
Because consumers are looking for credentialed, qualified professionals in the financial services industry to become their personal financial planners. A certificate program allows students to concentrate their studies in the specific content areas relevant to their profession. By focusing their coursework, students are able to complete their education requirements within thirteen months and at a significantly lower cost than a degree-granting program.
What is the time commitment required for study outside the classroom?
Depending on previous education and experience, a student can expect to spend two to three hours outside the classroom for every hour in the classroom.
How long does it take to complete the program?
We offer two methods of study to best suit your schedule:
| Method | Duration | Next Steps | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Class | 13 months | Learn More | Request an Application |
| Self-Paced Online | Up to 18 months | Learn More | Enroll Now |
Both programs cover these six topics in detail:
- Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance
- Income Tax Planning
- Investment Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Estate Planning
- Capstone / Case Study
The curriculum of both programs is on an accelerated schedule to help students take the National CFP® Certification Exam up to two test periods earlier than 18-month certificate programs.
Can I purchase the program on a course-by-course basis?
Yes. Tuition for a single class is available.
I have already completed classes in a self-study program, or other certificate program registered with the CFP® Board. Can I transfer credit to your program?
Yes. The Terry College of Business will allow a student to transfer two courses from another CFP® Board-registered program. If granted an exemption you are still encouraged to attend the class and complete the assignment to ensure you receive the best possible education and preparation for becoming a financial planner.
Why choose the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business’ Executive Program for Financial Planning Certification over other programs?
This program offers a student an opportunity to be a member of the Terry College of Business community. It is administered and taught by university personnel, insuring a greater personal attention to each student’s needs. These programs are offered on an accelerated basis, and can be completed as quickly as 9-13 months, depending on the class format.
Tuition and Payment - Traditional Classroom
What methods of payment are available?
Payment may be made via check or credit card and is due no later than two weeks prior to the first day of class. Your seat in the program is not guaranteed until payment in full is received.
Can I withdraw from a course after it begins?
You have the option of withdrawing within seven days after the first session and receiving a 90 percent refund of tuition paid. Withdrawal notice should be sent to the program within the time allotted.
If you need to temporarily suspend your program, please contact our office. You have 18 months from the time you enroll in the program to finish the program.
Can I apply online?
Yes. These links will take you to the appropriate applications:
CFP® Course Topics
What topics are covered in in the CFP® curriculum?
Key topics covered include:
Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance
This course introduces participants to the theory and practice of financial planning. It provides an overview of the financial planning process and offers guidance for managing a client’s risks while achieving goals through savings and investments. Topics include life, health, disability, and long-term care as well as property, Social Security, and personal liability insurance. In addition, the course covers time value of money and education and retirement funding. A financial calculator, such as an HP 12C or 10BII, is required.
Participants will be able to:
- Perform time value of money calculations by understanding the underlying concepts and utilizing technology.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the inter-relatedness of insurance, investments, retirement planning, income tax, and estate planning in the financial planning process and how the changing economic environment affects that process.
- Identify and quantify the financial objectives of a client through evaluation of financial statements and other data.
- Assess deficiencies, recommend corrections, and develop and maintain a financial plan.
- Articulate the code of ethics and professional responsibility to which practitioners must adhere.
- Communicate the concepts of risk assessment in a manner understandable to clients.
- Address the broad range of insurance instruments and how they may be evaluated and employed to manage the risk of loss of income and risks associated with property ownership and legal liabilities.
- Incorporate insurance into a client’s overall financial plan.
- Articulate the ethical aspects of insurance advising.
Investment Planning
This course introduces concepts regarding modern portfolio theory, risk reduction, debt and equity securities, derivatives (including options and futures contracts), and asset allocation strategies. Participants will learn how to determine a client’s risk tolerance and select appropriate assets based on the assessed risk tolerance and the client’s goals.
Participants will be able to:
- Assess a client’s risk tolerance and exposure to determine which investments provide the best approach to reach objectives of the client’s financial plan.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of common stock and fixed income securities and the variety of ways these instruments may be analyzed.
- Apply knowledge of riskier vehicles such as options, commodities, and financial futures to assess a financial plan.
- Utilize a wide range of resources to evaluate various investment vehicles and strategies.
- Employ the concepts of portfolio planning and management to provide diversification to a client’s portfolio with sensitivity to tax considerations.
- Apply the principles of taxation of investment vehicles to a financial plan.
- Articulate the ethical aspects of investment advising.
Income Taxation Planning
Focusing on the taxation of individuals, sole proprietorships, C-corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, and LLCs, this course provides detailed coverage of gross income inclusions and exclusions, deductions before and after adjusted gross income, and tax credits. In addition, participants will learn planning techniques for taxation avoidance and minimization strategies.
Participants will be able to:
- Access and apply the resources that are required to meet the challenge of annual changes to the tax code.
- Articulate income taxation fundamentals as well as tax consequences and computations.
- Identify options available to individuals and business owners for reducing their tax burdens while preserving their wealth accumulation strategies.
- Articulate the ethical and legal implications of tax advising.
Retirement and Employee Benefits
In this course, participants receive a comprehensive overview of qualified (defined benefit, profit share, and 401(k) plans) and non-qualified (deferred compensation, incentive stock options, and employee stock purchase plans) retirement plans, other tax-advantaged plans (SIMPLE, Roth, and traditional IRAs), and employee benefits. This course also presents an overview of the Social Security, disability, and health care programs such as Medicare.
Participants will be able to:
- Define and differentiate between the types of plans that can be developed.
- Analyze a client’s financial health and develop the most advantageous retirement and employee benefit options to meet the long-term needs expressed in the overall financial plan.
- Identify the needs and objectives of businesses to determine the best design for their employee retirement and benefit plans.
Estate Planning
This course provides professionals with an introduction to wills, trusts, the probate process, and the taxation of estates. Course participants also will learn the tax implications of gifts and bequests during lifetime and at death. The approach provides participants with taxation avoidance and minimization techniques useful in planning a client’s estate.
Participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of wills, trusts, and estates.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the concepts of risk management, insurance, portfolio management, retirement planning, and taxation and how they are synthesized in the estate and gift tax planning process.
- Analyze and evaluate a client’s financial and non-financial status and goals in order to develop, communicate, and implement the most advantageous estate and gift tax plan.
Capstone/Case Study
This Capstone course in Financial Planning is designed to help students integrate their knowledge of the financial planning subject areas. This course will be structured as a casework course and the cases used will closely reflect the types of cases they may encounter both as financial planners and as part of their CFP? Certification Examination.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Integrate financial planning subject areas into the development of comprehensive financial plans and financial planning recommendations
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate personal financial situations
- Prioritize goals and determine the feasibility of achieving these goals
CFP® Traditional Class Faculty
Who will be teaching the traditional classes?
John Carty-Campbell, CFP®, MBA
Fundamentals of Financial Planning & Insurance Planning and Risk Management
- Experience teaching CFP students for more than 10 years
- Received MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University
- More than 25 years of experience teaching adult education in corporate settings
- Currently Senior Partner of A Better Financial Group, Inc.
Andrew Harbour, CFP®, CIMA®, CRPS®
Investment Planning
- Bachelor of Science in Business from Taylor University
- Currently Senior Vice President — Wealth Management and Senior Portfolio Manager with The Peachtree Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Sean G. Todd, Esq., M.Tax, CFP®, CPA – Principal
Income Tax Planning
- Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University
- Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern College of Law
- Master of Taxation from The University of Akron
John J. McCarthy, Jr., CRP®
Investments & Fundamentals of Financial Planning & Insurance Planning and Risk Management
- BBA in Marketing from University of West Georgia
- More than 22 years experience in advising individuals and companies on investment needs
- Currently Vice President at Scott & Stringfellow
M. Steven Brotherton, M.Tax, ChFC®, CLU®
Retirement Planning
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Florida State University
- Master of Taxation from Georgia State University
- 15 years of experience as a leading consultative agent and manager for Murphy & Company, Inc.
- Currently an Advanced Markets Specialist with New England Financial®
- Past President of 900 member Atlanta Association of Insurance and Financial Professions
Gary O. Clement, CFP®
Retirement Planning
- More than 15 years of experience in financial planning industry
- Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics - Summa Cum Laude from Cheyney University
- Currently president at Clement Asset Management
Amy Nash, CFP®, MBA
Estate Planning
- 13 years in the financial services industry
- Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University
- Master of Business Administration from Tulane University
- Currently Director of Gift Planning at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Thomas N. Tillery, MSFS, MA, CFP®, CLU, ChFC. LUTCF, CRPC®
Capstone
- Master of Financial Services from The American College
- Master of Christian Education
- Instructor for financial planning education programs throughout the country as well as review courses for the CFP® Certification Examination
- Currently Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Paraklete Financial, Inc.
- More than 25 years of experience in comprehensive financial planning, insurance, investments, philanthropy and tax planning
Contact Information
Who should I contact with questions?
For additional questions about the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ programs, please contact our office, Director.
Contact information and profiles of the entire Executive Programs staff is available at our faculty and staff directory.
Location Information
What can you tell me about the venue?
CFP® information sessions and CFP® Traditional Class sessions meet in the Terry Executive Education Center, Terry College’s "home away from home" in Atlanta. This state-of-the-art facility features:
- Convenient classroom location.
- 32,000 square feet, three floors and filled with amenities.
- WiFi cloud for wireless computer network access throughout.
- Large special events room for receptions and dinners capable of accommodating up to 200 people.
- Easily adaptable space for customized executive programs and short courses, such as the ISS-accredited Directors’ College.
- Get directions to the TEEC.
Contact Information
Athens
Suite 608
Atlanta
Suite 300
