The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is a certification for financial planners granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards in the United States and several other organizations affiliated to Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), the international owner of the CFP designation outside of the US. The CFP designation helps a person to advance his career as a financial planner.
In order to gain the CFP designation, the candidate must meet certain requirements in the areas of Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics (known as "the four Es").
Education: To complete a set of financial planning courses. Other than completing courses in financial planning, applicants for the CFP certification must also have a bachelor's degree (or higher), or its equivalent, in any discipline, from an accredited college or university in order to obtain CFP certification.
Examination: The CFP exam is held three times a year, and is conducted over a day and half through three sessions having a total duration of 10 hours. The fee for CFP is USD 595 and there is an extra site fee if the exam is conducted outside US.
Experience: There is a three years full time or equivalent part time related experience required for the candidate. The details of experience requirements can be found here.
Ethics: The candidate has to agree to be bound by CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Practice Standards.
Once you have successfully met the requirements and completed the initial certification process, you will need to meet ongoing education and disclosure requirements to maintain the CFP certification.
Related Articles
- A career in Finance through CFA
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification for a career in Risk Management
- Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Friday, 20 February 2009
Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
The Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA) is a designation offered by the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts (ACIIA) to financial professionals. It is a globally recognized advanced professional qualification for individuals working in the finance and investment industry.
To be awarded the CIIA, candidates must pass two levels of common knowledge exams and a national/regional exam, and have 3 years of experience working in the domain of financial analysis, portfolio management, and/or investment in general.
The common knowledge exams are divided into two levels - the Foundation Level and Final Level. The essential skills and knowledge required for professionals working in investment markets common in all countries are examined in these levels. The exams are conducted in more than 10 languages and take place in every March and September.
The national/regional exam is set by individual national/regional societies and examines the knowledge of specific markets. The legal, regulation, taxation, local market practices and the cultural environment of the financial market of study are covered in this level. This is something unique to CIIA as it tests the candidate’s knowledge at the local level as well.
Since the certification requires 3 years of working experience in Financial Analysis, it may not be an option for an aspiring candidate to enter into a career in Financial Analysis, which, in general, is possible through the CFA exam. However, it is highly valued across the world, especially in the European region and is often described as the ‘the European Version of CFA’.
Related Articles
- A career in Finance through CFA
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification for a career in Risk Management
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
To be awarded the CIIA, candidates must pass two levels of common knowledge exams and a national/regional exam, and have 3 years of experience working in the domain of financial analysis, portfolio management, and/or investment in general.
The common knowledge exams are divided into two levels - the Foundation Level and Final Level. The essential skills and knowledge required for professionals working in investment markets common in all countries are examined in these levels. The exams are conducted in more than 10 languages and take place in every March and September.
The national/regional exam is set by individual national/regional societies and examines the knowledge of specific markets. The legal, regulation, taxation, local market practices and the cultural environment of the financial market of study are covered in this level. This is something unique to CIIA as it tests the candidate’s knowledge at the local level as well.
Since the certification requires 3 years of working experience in Financial Analysis, it may not be an option for an aspiring candidate to enter into a career in Financial Analysis, which, in general, is possible through the CFA exam. However, it is highly valued across the world, especially in the European region and is often described as the ‘the European Version of CFA’.
Related Articles
- A career in Finance through CFA
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification for a career in Risk Management
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Monday, 9 February 2009
Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification for a career in Risk Management
The Financial Risk Manager (FRM) is a certification in Financial Risk Management conducted by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). The certification allows a person interested in financial risk management to gain the required knowledge to be successful in the field. It is also a niche certification highly valued by financial institutions operating in risk management worldwide.
To be conferred the FRM designation, a candidate not only have to pass the exam, but should also have an active membership in GARP and a minimum of two years of experience in the area of financial risk management or another related field including, but not limited to, trading, portfolio management, academic or industry research, economics, auditing, risk consulting, and/or risk technology.
The FRM exam is conducted every November (only once in a year) and the registration usually starts from March of that year. The registration can be done online. The registration fees range between USD 550 and USD 950, depending upon whether one registers early or late.
The FRM Examination is a 5 hour comprehensive examination consisting of approximately 140 multiple-choice questions. The examination is split into two sections; each is 2.5 hours in length with a lunch break in between. The exam is given in booklet form. The exam is conducted at designated test sites across the world.
Compared to Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), the FRM is a niche exam exclusively for Risk Management Professionals. So, those who are aspiring for a Risk Management profession shall prefer FRM to CFA.
Related Articles
- A career in Finance through CFA
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
To be conferred the FRM designation, a candidate not only have to pass the exam, but should also have an active membership in GARP and a minimum of two years of experience in the area of financial risk management or another related field including, but not limited to, trading, portfolio management, academic or industry research, economics, auditing, risk consulting, and/or risk technology.
The FRM exam is conducted every November (only once in a year) and the registration usually starts from March of that year. The registration can be done online. The registration fees range between USD 550 and USD 950, depending upon whether one registers early or late.
The FRM Examination is a 5 hour comprehensive examination consisting of approximately 140 multiple-choice questions. The examination is split into two sections; each is 2.5 hours in length with a lunch break in between. The exam is given in booklet form. The exam is conducted at designated test sites across the world.
Compared to Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), the FRM is a niche exam exclusively for Risk Management Professionals. So, those who are aspiring for a Risk Management profession shall prefer FRM to CFA.
Related Articles
- A career in Finance through CFA
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
Friday, 30 January 2009
Educational Loans
The global economic recession and subsequent job loses allow for a good time (I’m not sure I should be saying as curtly, but it depends on how you look at it) to advance on one’s career by upgrading their educational skills by joining a good institution for higher studies. In such a situation, the expenses are well met through student loans; if you don’t have enough savings.
Private student loans are handy for the knowledge seeker in the sense, they generally have no collateral requirements, have an interest rate that’s fairly manageable and may need to be paid back once the applicant secures an employment (or may be six months from the time of course completion, as the case may be) once he/she has completed his/her studies.
College loans have always been a helping hand for the aspirers of knowledge. Most of the times, the availability of the loan depends very much on the institution in which one has secured an admission. It also allows students to not depend on their parent’s worth for pursuing higher education.
Private student loans are handy for the knowledge seeker in the sense, they generally have no collateral requirements, have an interest rate that’s fairly manageable and may need to be paid back once the applicant secures an employment (or may be six months from the time of course completion, as the case may be) once he/she has completed his/her studies.
College loans have always been a helping hand for the aspirers of knowledge. Most of the times, the availability of the loan depends very much on the institution in which one has secured an admission. It also allows students to not depend on their parent’s worth for pursuing higher education.
Saturday, 6 September 2008
A career in Finance through CFA
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a globally recognized self study degree program for anyone aiming at investment related professions. 
It is conducted by the CFA Institute. Candidates who have completed the course are highly valued by the industry and are preferred for key positions in companies.
The CFA exam has three levels, I, II and III. One has to pass all the three levels and meet some other requirements (professional and ethical) to become a CFA charter holder. The exam for Level I takes place twice a year (in June and December) where as that for Level II and III happens only once in a year (in June only).
If one writes the Level I exam in December and continues through to Level II in June of the next year and Level III in June of the following year, without failing in any of the levels, the minimum time period in which the CFA levels can be completed is 1.5 years. The exam is of moderate difficulty and it requires quite a dedication from the candidate’s part to get through. However, there is no limit to the number of attempts one can make in any of the levels.
The fees for applying for the exam ranges from around 1000 US Dollars to 1400 US Dollars, depending on when you are registering, as there are discounts on early registrations. The study materials and one online sample exam are included in the registration fees.
One note of caution! This CFA designation given by the CFA Institute is not to be mistaken as the CFA in India given by ICFAI (which they got through some court litigation) that is not valued outside India like the former. In fact, due to the litigation, the CFA Institute is not conducting the CFA exam in India until the court gives a ruling in their favor.
So as of now people in India have to go outside the country, to nearby locations such as Srilanka, Nepal, Singapore etc. to take the exam. I hope the court understand the situation and allow the CFA Institute to conduct the CFA exam in India. But whatever it is, the CFA exam is something an aspiring financial analyst should definitely go for.
Good Reads
- Financial Rounds
Related Articles
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification for a career in Risk Management
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
It is conducted by the CFA Institute. Candidates who have completed the course are highly valued by the industry and are preferred for key positions in companies.The CFA exam has three levels, I, II and III. One has to pass all the three levels and meet some other requirements (professional and ethical) to become a CFA charter holder. The exam for Level I takes place twice a year (in June and December) where as that for Level II and III happens only once in a year (in June only).
If one writes the Level I exam in December and continues through to Level II in June of the next year and Level III in June of the following year, without failing in any of the levels, the minimum time period in which the CFA levels can be completed is 1.5 years. The exam is of moderate difficulty and it requires quite a dedication from the candidate’s part to get through. However, there is no limit to the number of attempts one can make in any of the levels.
The fees for applying for the exam ranges from around 1000 US Dollars to 1400 US Dollars, depending on when you are registering, as there are discounts on early registrations. The study materials and one online sample exam are included in the registration fees.
One note of caution! This CFA designation given by the CFA Institute is not to be mistaken as the CFA in India given by ICFAI (which they got through some court litigation) that is not valued outside India like the former. In fact, due to the litigation, the CFA Institute is not conducting the CFA exam in India until the court gives a ruling in their favor.
So as of now people in India have to go outside the country, to nearby locations such as Srilanka, Nepal, Singapore etc. to take the exam. I hope the court understand the situation and allow the CFA Institute to conduct the CFA exam in India. But whatever it is, the CFA exam is something an aspiring financial analyst should definitely go for.
Good Reads
- Financial Rounds
Related Articles
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification for a career in Risk Management
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA)
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Educational Loans become more affordable
Currently, when a student avails an Educational Loan to pursue his/her studies; the interest amount charged during the period of study gets added to the principal amount or he/she can pay the interest amount during the studies. This makes the educational loan repayment a costly business. To ease this burden on students and to prevent brain drain from the country, the Government plans to take over interest on Educational Loans during the period students pursue their education and have not begun earning.
This is available to those students who come from families having an annual income less than 2.5 Lakh. Banks in general deny loans to students from the lower strata on the risk of repayment. With this move, banks will have more assurance on repayment and would give more loans to the needy, as the government is paying the interest amount during the education period which would otherwise get added to the principal, making it huge for repayment, leading to possible defaults. Donno whether it is applicable to online degree programs.
More details here.
This is available to those students who come from families having an annual income less than 2.5 Lakh. Banks in general deny loans to students from the lower strata on the risk of repayment. With this move, banks will have more assurance on repayment and would give more loans to the needy, as the government is paying the interest amount during the education period which would otherwise get added to the principal, making it huge for repayment, leading to possible defaults. Donno whether it is applicable to online degree programs.
More details here.
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