This article places emphasis on Centennial College’s Financial Planning program, which offers students a speedy entry into the workforce, the eligibility for numerous credentials and a vast range of skills.

1. Three Benefits of Two-Semester Financial Planning Certification
All you need to know about Centennial College’s Financial Planning program can be summed up in three
distinct benefits.
Speedy entry into the workplace: Because this offering is designed for mature students who have
completed a college diploma or university degree in any discipline, it only takes two semesters to
complete. Upon Financial Planning program completion, grads may find jobs at banks, credit unions,
financial planning companies, life insurance companies, mutual fund companies and investment dealers.
Interestingly enough, a 2009 report by the Toronto Board of Trade states that, with demographic changes
and the need for regulation and associated trained professionals, there will be an increasing demand for
graduates from undertakings such as the Centennial College Financial Planning program. It is also
worth noting that although applicants should have completed a post-secondary program, be able to prove
English proficiency and complete an assessment of numeracy skills, applicants with partial post-secondary
and relevant work experience (transcript and resume review is required) may also be selected for the
Financial Planning program.
Vast range of skills: Although it is only two semesters the Financial Planning certification is fast-paced and,
therefore, covers a wide range of topics. Among these Financial Planning certification areas are:
accounting for managerial decision making, tax planning, estate planning and risk management,
retirement financial planning, marketing, financial management, corporate credit management, crafting
and executing strategy, ethics and stakeholder management and more. Because of the range, students
gain all the skills they need to be successful upon graduation. As such, they have the know-how to:
Integrate economic and personal information necessary for effective financial planning decisions and also
integrate ethical decision-making processes into all aspects of the financial planning profession; adhere to
financial planning principles and industry standards; compare, contrast and select financial products and
services, investment planning and counselling services for clients, while adhering to the aforementioned
industry standards; manually and electronically prepare accurate and relevant financial plans, effectively
market financial services to clients to gain new and renewal business; and lastly recognize potential tax
and legal implications within a financial planning situation.
Numerous accreditations: Aside from receiving their Financial Planning certification in the form of an
Ontario College Graduate Certificate, students also obtain all of the educational requirements to challenge
the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam. That’s because the Financial Planning program uses instruction
materials from professional bodies to deliver the courses and in the process prepare students. It’s worth
nothing that material license fees for the courses (and examination fees) are mandatory, and in addition
to the regular tuition fees. Additionally, accreditations gained as a result of successful completion of
Financial Planning program courses and industry exams include: Canadian Securities Course and Wealth
Management Essentials.
For more information visit Centennial College at
http://www.centennialcollege.ca/Programs/ProgramOverview.aspx?Program=2843