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laplanification
financière
aucanada:
définitions,
normeset
compétences
c a n a d i a n
f i n a n c i a l
p l a n n i n g
d e f i n i t i o n s,
s t a n d a r d s &
competencies
canadianfinancialplanninglaplanificationfinancièreaucanadadefinitions,standards&competencies
définitions,normesetcompétences
Canadian Financial Planning
Definitions, Standards & Competencies
2
ISBN 978-1-926690-08-7
(Financial Planning Standards Council)
ISBN 978-2-922174-30-4
(Institut québécois de planification financière)
Legal Deposit - Library and Archives Canada, 2015.
Legal Deposit - Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2015.
Copyright © 2015 Financial Planning Standards Council. All rights reserved.
© Institut québécois de planification financière, 2015
c a n a d i a n
f i n a n c i a l
p l a n n i n g
d e f i n i t i o n s,
s t a n d a r d s &
competencies
4
Table of Contents
Introduction
Definitions
Financial Planning
Financial Planner
Financial Plan
Code of Ethics and Financial Planning
Practice Standards
Code of Ethics
Preface
Application of the Code
The Principles of the Code
Financial Planning Practice Standards
Preface
Application of the Practice Standards
The Practice Standards
Competency Framework
Preface
Financial Planning Functions
Financial Planning Areas
Fundamental Financial Planning Practices
Professional Skills
Technical Knowledge
About FPSC & IQPF
Acknowledgements
6
12
12
12
13
14
16
16
17
19
20
21
22
23
26
27
29
30
33
35
37
38
40
6
Introduction
7
The Financial Planning Standards Council
(FPSC) and the Institut québécois de
planification financière (IQPF), the two
organizations that establish and maintain
the standards for the financial planning
profession in Canada, have joined forces
in creating a unified set of definitions,
standards and competencies for individuals
holding the F.Pl. and Certified Financial
Planner®
/ CFP®
designations. Individuals
possessing these two designations represent
financial planners who must adhere to the
highest standards of competence, ethical
behaviour and professionalism in Canada.
Until now, there was no unified source for
clarity on financial planning definitions and
professional financial planning standards.
FPSC and IQPF now provide The Canadian
Financial Planning Definitions, Standards &
Competencies as the definitive source for
what to expect of financial planners across
the country. Through association with
the Financial Planning Standards Board,
representing over 150,000 financial planners
worldwide, the Canadian standards for
financial planning are consistent with the
highest professional standards in financial
planning internationally.
8
Definitions Considerable industry consultation went into
the formation of a single set of definitions that
solidify what constitutes “financial planning”,
what constitutes a “financial planner” and what
constitutes a “financial plan”.
Financial planning varies in scope and
complexity ranging from planning advice that is
straightforward and narrow, requiring limited
integration across financial planning areas
to those engagements that are complex and
involved, requiring extensive integration across
financial planning areas. In all cases, however, it
is the financial planner’s ability to competently
and professionally gain a full picture of the
individual’s goals, needs and priorities, and the
interdependencies among them that provides
the greatest value to clients.
By definition, a financial planner is an
individual capable of providing financial
planning advice at the highest level of
complexity required by the profession. As a
professional, a financial planner holds himself
accountable to professional oversight.
9
A financial plan is a written report that
assesses an individual’s current financial
situation and includes the relevant personal
and financial assumptions, information
analysis, evaluation of financial strategies
and recommendations to assist in achieving
an individual’s personal goals, needs and
priorities. While financial planning may or
may not result in a full blown financial plan,
it’s clear1
that all Canadians can benefit from
the professional advice of a financial planner.
In addition to providing a single set of
financial planning definitions, FPSC and
IQPF have produced unified standards
of ethics, practice and competence for all
financial planners. These standards set out the
principles of ethical behaviour that financial
planners are expected to follow and the
process of financial planning that financial
planners are expected to adhere to.
The Competency Framework serves as the
guiding construct for the detailed knowledge,
skills and abilities expected of financial
planners as outlined in the respective
competency profiles provided by FPSC and
IQPF. It illustrates the central nature of the
1
2013 Financial Planning Standards Council and
Financial Planning Foundation: Value of Financial Planning;
http://www.fpsc.ca/value-financial-planning
Standards
10
Fundamental Financial Planning Practices. These
are the competencies that apply to all financial
planning areas and relate to the integration and
interrelationships among them. The Framework
also highlights the requirement for professional
judgment, reasoning, interpersonal and
communication skills in the fulfillment of all
elements of competency. These professional skills
represent fundamental abilities that characterize
a true financial planner.
This document serves several distinct
audiences – financial planners, candidates for
certification, educators, employers and the
Canadian public – by providing clarity around
what to expect of financial planners and by
providing an appreciation for the rigorous
standards and expectations of those who meet
the definition of a financial planner.
We would like to extend our gratitude to
the diverse group of financial planners, from
coast to coast, who gave of their time and
expertise in the refinement of these unified
Canadian benchmarks in financial planning.
We would also like to express our appreciation
to the many firms that were consulted, across
multiple financial sectors, in the development
of the definitions, standards and competency
requirements outlined in this document.
For more information on FPSC and IQPF, visit
www.fpsc.ca and www.iqpf.org.
11
The Financial Planning Standards
Council (FPSC) and the Institut
québécois de planification financière
(IQPF) are the two organizations
that establish and maintain the
standards for the financial planning
profession in Canada.
12
Financial planning is a disciplined, multi-step
process of assessing an individual’s current
financial and personal circumstances against his
future desired state and developing strategies
that help meet his personal goals, needs and
priorities in a way that aims to optimize the
allocation of his resources. Financial planning
takes into account the interrelationships among
relevant financial planning areas in formulating
appropriate strategies. Financial planning areas
include financial management, insurance and risk
management, investment planning, retirement
planning, tax planning, estate planning and legal
aspects. Financial planning is an ongoing process
involving regular monitoring of an individual’s
progress toward meeting his personal goals,
needs and priorities, a re-evaluation of financial
strategies in place and recommended revisions,
where necessary.
A financial planner is an individual who possesses
the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities and
professional judgment to capably provide
objective financial planning advice at the highest
level of complexity required by the profession.
He must agree to be accountable to a professional
oversight organization’s practice standards and
code of ethics that include an obligation to put
his clients’ interests before his own.
Financial
Planning
Financial
Planner
Definitions
13
Financial
Plan
A financial plan is a written report that
addresses an individual’s personal goals,
needs and priorities. It takes into account
relevant financial planning areas and the
interrelationships among them. The financial
planning areas include financial management,
insurance and risk management, investment
planning, retirement planning, tax planning,
estate planning and legal aspects.
Each section of the financial plan covers the
individual’s current financial situation, the
analysis performed to identify issues and
opportunities, the evaluation of relevant
financial strategies and recommendations
to help meet the individual’s personal goals,
needs and priorities.
A plan includes the personal information and
financial assumptions on which it is based. It
also includes a disclaimer noting its reliance
on information provided by the individual and
assumptions made. A plan provides a list of
action steps, including what needs to be done,
by whom and when.
14
Code of
Ethics and
Financial
Planning
Practice
Standards
15
FPSC and IQPF have agreed to a common
set of principles and practice standards to
which individuals holding the F.Pl. and CFP®
designations must abide. They define the ethical
and performance standards which clients should
expect from a professional relationship.
The Code of Ethics outlines the principles of
ethical conduct that form the foundation of any
profession and is the moral mandate that
all stakeholders can use to assess the conduct
of professionals.
The Financial Planning Practice Standards
provide the process of financial planning that
must be followed in any client engagement
where financial planning services are offered.
Throughout the Code of Ethics and Financial
Planning Practice Standards, whenever
“financial planner” is referred to, it should
be taken to read financial planner (i.e. F.Pl.
and CFP®
professional) and FPSC Level 1™
Certificant in Financial Planning.
16
Preface The Code of Ethics (the Code) represents
the moral mandate that governs the conduct
of financial planners. It sets out eight
ethical principles that govern their conduct
in all professional activities, and reflects
the standards of ethical conduct that such
professionals must demand of themselves
and their peers. Upholding these ethical
standards provides the public with the
necessary guarantees concerning the quality of
the professional services offered by financial
planners in Canada.
The Code of Ethics represents
the moral mandate that governs
the conduct of financial planners.
Code of Ethics
17
Application
of the Code
Each principle of the Code presents the
expected behaviours of financial planners. The
Code is designed to guide professionals in their
practice but does not undertake to define the
standards of professional conduct of financial
planners for the purposes of civil liability.
The Code represents the commitment of the
financial planner to the public, the industry and
the profession.
For the Public
A strong Code is first and foremost about
serving the public. It is the financial planner’s
pledge to clients. As a client, you should view
the Code as setting your expectations for how
you will be treated by your financial planner.
The Code should assure you that you are
working with a professional who is committed
to ethically, competently and diligently helping
you achieve your life goals.
18
For the Financial Services Industry
The F.Pl. and CFP designations allow the
financial services industry to easily identify
a professional with a documented mastery of
financial planning skills, direct experience to
draw upon and a commitment to ethical practice.
For Financial Planners
The Code provides the cornerstone by which
financial planners practice their profession.
As a professional, you should expect adherence
to the Code from yourself and your financial
planner colleagues. The integrity and future of
the financial planning profession rests on the
universal adherence to these principles.
The Code provides the
cornerstone by which financial
planners practice their profession.
19
principle 1: client first
A financial planner shall always place
the client’s interests first.
principle 2: integrity
A financial planner shall always
act with integrity.
principle 3: objectivity
A financial planner shall be objective when
providing advice or services to clients.
principle 4: competence
A financial planner shall develop and
maintain the abilities, skills and knowledge
necessary to competently provide advice
or services to clients.
principle 5: fairness
A financial planner shall be fair and open in
all professional relationships.
principle 6: confidentiality
A financial planner shall maintain
confidentiality of all client information.
principle 7: diligence
A financial planner shall act diligently when
providing advice or services to clients.
principle 8: professionalism
A financial planner shall act in a manner that
reflects positively upon the profession.
The
Principles
of the Code
20
2121
Preface The Financial Planning Practice Standards
(the Practice Standards) provide guidance to
financial planners when engaged in financial
planning activities with clients.
Outlining these Practice Standards:
~	 establishes the level of practice expected
of financial planners who are engaged in
the delivery of financial planning services to
a client;
~	 establishes norms of professional practice
to promote a consistent delivery of financial
planning services by financial planners;
~	 clarifies the respective roles and
responsibilities of financial planners and their
clients in financial planning engagements,
protecting both parties from possible
misunderstandings; and
~	 serves the national public interest by
defining a level of service that protects the
interests of clients.
Financial Planning
Practice Standards
22
Application
of the
Practice
Standards
The Practice Standards outline the process to
be followed in any client engagement where
financial planning services are being offered,
not just when delivering a comprehensive
financial plan.
In the unlikely event that a practice standard
is in conflict with a legal obligation, the
financial planner is expected to adhere to the
legal obligation. Where a practice standard is
in conflict with an employer’s expectation,
the professional remains bound by the
Practice Standards and may choose to seek
guidance from their employer regarding
irreconcilable conflicts of interest.
The Practice Standards outline
the process to be followed in any
client engagement where financial
planning services are being offered.
23
Explain the Role of the Financial
Planner and Value of the Financial
Planning Process
Ensure the client understands the role of a
financial planner and the value of the process
of financial planning in identifying and
meeting the client’s personal goals, needs
and priorities.
Define the Terms of the Engagement
Work with the client to define and agree on the
scope of the financial planning engagement,
whether an initial or review engagement.
Identify the Client’s Goals,
Needs and Priorities
Discuss the client’s personal goals, needs
and priorities before identifying possible
strategies or making recommendations.
Gather the Client’s Information
Gather sufficient quantitative and qualitative
information relative to the engagement
before identifying possible strategies or
making recommendations.
The Practice
Standards
24
Assess the Client’s Current Situation
Identify and evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses in the client’s financial situation,
perform required calculations, develop
needed projections, and analyze and integrate
the resulting information relative to the
client’s personal goals, needs and priorities.
Identify and Evaluate Appropriate
Financial Planning Strategies
Identify and assess the possible financial
planning strategies to achieve the client’s
personal goals, needs and priorities.
Develop the Financial
Planning Recommendations
Develop and prioritize recommendations
to help meet the client’s personal goals,
needs and priorities and aim to optimize his
financial position.
Compile and Present the Financial
Planning Recommendations and
Supporting Rationale
Present the financial planning
recommendations and supporting rationale
in a way that allows the client to make an
informed decision.
The Practice
Standards
25
Discuss Implementation Actions,
Responsibilities and Time Frames
Gain the client’s agreement regarding
imple­mentation actions, responsibilities
and time frames. Stress the importance of a
review and ongoing monitoring of the client’s
situation relative to his personal goals, needs
and priorities periodically and as needed
based on material changes in personal or
external circumstances.
Implement the Financial
Planning Recommendations
Complete the implementation actions for
which the financial planner has assumed
responsibility.
The Practice
Standards
26
Competency
Framework
27
The Competency Framework for financial
planners (the Framework) is the foundation for
the Competency Profile for CFPprofessionals
and individuals holding the F.Pl. designation.
It provides the structure and serves as the
guiding construct for the detailed knowledge,
skills and abilities expected of financial planners.
It illustrates the interrelationships among
the fundamental financial planning practices,
financial planning areas, professional skills and
technical knowledge that are inherent in the
profession of financial planning.
Preface
TheCompetency Framework
servesastheguiding constructfor
theknowledge, skillsandabilities
expected ofFinancial Planners.
28
Fundamental
Financial Planning
Practices
Financial
management
Investment
planning
Insurance
and risk
management
Tax
Planning
Retirement
Planning
Estate
planning and
legal aspects
a
n
alysis
recommenda
tion
collection
C
ollect quantitative Collect qualitative
Assessthe
financial
planning
areas
professionalskill
s
pro
fessionalskills
professional skills
Developrecommendati
ons to
Identify and
technical knowledge
information information
clientsituation
helpoptimizetheclients
ituation
evaluate strategies
The Competency Framework
illustrates the central nature of
the fundamental financial
planning practices.
29
Underlying the professional practice of financial
planning are three basic functions defined below.
Financial
Planning
Functions
collection
Gathers the client’s information
Collection refers to the gathering of both
quantitative and qualitative information,
the identification of relevant facts and
documentation, and the preparation and
organization of information in a way that
allows for appropriate analysis.
analysis
Assesses the client’s current situation and identifies
and evaluates appropriate strategies
Analysis competencies encompass identifying
issues and opportunities, performing
required calculations, developing projections,
and preparing and assessing the resulting
information in order to identify and evaluate
appropriate strategies.
recommendation
Develops recommendations to help
optimize the client’s situation
Recommendation competencies focus on
the development of recommendations that
help meet the client’s personal goals, needs
and priorities and strive to optimize the
client’s situation.
1
11
111
30
Although there is often a logical sequence to
these functions (first collect data, then analyze
the data and evaluate strategies and finally
make appropriate recommendations), in
practice, the financial planner will move back
and forth between functions during any client
engagement. For example, certain analysis may
point to the need for more data collection.
Within each financial planning function of
Collection, Analysis and Recommendation,
elements of competency are assigned to one of
the following areas – Financial Management,
Insurance and Risk Management, Investment
Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning,
Estate Planning and Legal Aspects.
The financial planning areas are defined below.
Financial Management
Financial management focuses on the client’s
current and future financial position. The
client’s financial position is characterized by his
net worth, cash flow and budget. A net worth
statement reflects the client’s financial position
at a point in time. Information regarding income
and cost of living allows the financial planner to
anticipate future net worth based on the client’s
inclination to save, spend and borrow.
Financial
Planning
Areas
31
Insurance and Risk Management
Insurance and risk management focuses on
strategies designed to manage the client’s
exposure to an unexpected financial loss due to
death, health issues, property damage, business
and other risks. The financial planner compares
the client’s risk exposure to the level of available
assets and insurance coverage in place to assess
gaps and prioritize risk management needs.
Investment Planning
Investment planning focuses on how to best
manage the client’s investment assets based on
his past experience, attitudes, objectives, time
horizon, risk tolerance and need for income.
It involves consideration of the client’s current
investment holdings, including not only cash,
bonds and stocks, but also land and other real
estate holdings.
Retirement Planning
Retirement planning focuses on the client’s
financial well-being after employment
has stopped. It involves a comparison of the
client’s desired lifestyle in retirement to their
current retirement assets, planned savings,
expected sources of retirement income, such
as government and employer benefits, and
return on investment to help ensure adequate
retirement income over his lifetime. Retirement
savings must be carefully monitored as
circumstances change over time.
32
Tax Planning
Tax planning focuses on the client’s current and
future tax obligations and strategies employed to
minimize or defer taxation on personal and/or
business income. Tax planning strategies are
designed to help strengthen the client’s financial
position in current and future tax periods and
better enable him to meet his personal goals,
needs and priorities. Tax planning is a key
financial planning area since financial decisions
will generally have tax implications.
Estate Planning
Estate planning focuses on the payment of
expenses and obligations at death and the
transfer of assets to successors under the Will
and outside the Will. The financial planner
assesses the client’s estate wishes, projects the
client’s net worth at death, determines any
constraints or opportunities to achieve the
client’s transition and estate planning goals,
and develops strategies and recommendations
to help meet them.
Legal Aspects
The financial planner must understand the client’s
legal situation. This may relate to spousal and
child support obligations or entitlements; third
party obligations; shareholder, partner or trust
agreements; Powers of Attorney or Mandates in
the case of incapacity. A full knowledge of the
33
client’s legal rights and obligations is critical based
on their potential repercussions and impact on
achieving his personal goals.
Financial planners must apply fundamental
financial planning practices to all areas
of financial planning. These elements relate
to the integration and interrelationships
among the areas and are key to any and all
financial planning engagements.
In order for a financial planner to provide
meaningful advice and planning, he must
understand all of the client’s personal goals,
needs, priorities, interdependencies, overall
constraints and opportunities in order to
develop appropriate financial planning
strategies and recommendations.
Throughout the planning process, it is
important to consider the integration of
financial planning areas since decisions made
in one area will impact, and be impacted by,
decisions made in others. For example, to the
extent that a client wishes to provide for their
child’s education over the next four years, retire
in 10 years and leave a sizeable estate, the budget
will need to account for these various goals.
Fundamental
Financial
Planning
Practices2
2
IQPF considers the integration and interrelationships among
financial planning areas by raising them in the context of a
number of defined client situations, each of which requires the
consideration of multiple financial planning areas.
34
Likewise, investment planning decisions will
impact the client’s ability to meet goals related
to major purchases, as well as retirement and
estate planning goals. There is also a significant
relationship between investment planning and
tax planning since different asset classes and
investment vehicles have different levels of
tax efficiency.
As well, clients may not be aware of how
decisions over their lifetime will affect the value
of their estate and its distribution. The financial
planner can educate clients about the impact
of retirement planning and risk management
decisions on their estate plan and recommend
strategies, including maximizing RRSP savings,
setting up an individual pension plan or
purchasing additional insurance to help
create the level of estate the client wishes.
Professional skills represent
the fundamental abilities
that characterize a true
financial planner.
35
Professional
Skills
The Framework further identifies two categories
of professional skills – “Communication” and
“Cognitive Abilities and Judgment”. Professional
skills speak to acting as a professional with
clients and colleagues and to the financial
planner’s responsibility to the profession of
financial planning.
Professional skills are inherent in the fulfillment
of each and every financial planning function
and competency with each and every client.
The financial planner could be applying several
of the professional skills throughout any given
client engagement. They are depicted in the
Framework as overlaying all financial planning
functions, areas and the complete set of
competencies. They represent the fundamental
abilities that define a true professional.
The two categories of professional skills are
defined below.
Communication
At the outset of any financial planning
engagement, the financial planner must gain a
full and complete understanding of the client’s
quantitative and qualitative information related
to their goals, needs and priorities, including their
values, circumstances, attitudes and biases. This
information can best be obtained through an
interview process that employs various interview
36
methods or techniques which encourage
discussion, demonstrate interest and attention,
and put the client at ease. Responsibility for
effective communication rests primarily with the
financial planner. This requires active listening
skills to build a good rapport and a trusting
relationship with the client.
Recommendations and strategies must be
presented in a clear and logical manner with
any objections and concerns managed in a
positive and productive manner. The financial
planner must always bear in mind that the client
makes the final decision and be respectful of the
client’s thinking, behaviours and any differences
of opinion.
Cognitive Abilities and Judgment
The process of providing financial planning
recommendations requires that the financial
planner has the capacity to apply judgment
in identifying client information to gather,
in assessing the appropriate type and level of
analysis and in integrating information from
a variety of sources. They must also be able to
apply sound mathematical methods, logic and
reasoning to identify and assess the strengths
and weaknesses of potential strategies and
the ability to adapt to change in the face of
new information, changes in economic and
regulatory environments, changing client
objectives and situations.
37
Financial planners must practice in accordance
with applicable professional standards and
use reasonable judgment in those areas not
addressed by existing practice standards.
Further, they must employ sound professional
reasoning to decide not only the technically
best solution, but also the one that is ethically
and morally right. They must also recognize the
limits of their competence and seek the counsel
of other professionals when appropriate. Clients
place the financial planner in a position of trust.
There is a professional obligation to maintain
and foster that trust and to always place the
interests of the client ahead of all others.
Underlying these obligations is recognition of
the greater public interest role of the financial
planning profession and the responsibility to
act with the highest degree of professionalism
that inspires the respect of clients, colleagues,
industry and the public.
Technical knowledge across financial planning
areas is the foundation for competent
performance. As such, without the appropriate
technical knowledge, the competencies cannot
be demonstrated. This knowledge comes from
a variety of sources, including formal education,
continuing education, professional journals and
the daily business press.
Technical
Knowledge
38
Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC®
) is
a not-for-profit organization which develops,
promotes and enforces professional standards
in financial planning through Certified
Financial Planner®
certification. FPSC's
purpose is to instill confidence in the financial
planning profession. FPSC ensures that CFP®
professionals and FPSC Level 1™ Certificants
in Financial Planning meet appropriate
standards of competence and professionalism
through rigorous requirements in education,
examination, experience and ethics.
The Institut québécois de planification financière
(IQPF) is the only organization in Quebec
authorized to grant financial planning diplomas
and to establish rules concerning the ongoing
professional development of professional
financial planners. Only professionals
recognized by the Institut québécois de
planification financière are authorized to use
the title of Financial Planner (F.Pl.) in Quebec.
The IQPF is also the only organization in the
province entirely dedicated to and reserved for
financial planners.
About FPSC and IQPF
38
39
Contact
Information
FPSC: 902 - 375 University Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2J5
416 593-8587 / Toll Free: 1 800 305-9886
IQPF: 3 Place du Commerce, suite 501,
Île-des-Soeurs, Verdun (Quebec) H3E 1H7
514 767-4040 / Toll Free: 1 800 640-4050
39
40
FPSC and IQPF would like to express our sincere gratitude to the diverse
group of financial planners, from coast to coast, who have contributed to the
development of The Canadian Financial Planning Definitions, Standards &
Competencies. We would also like to express our appreciation to the many
firms, across industry sectors, that contributed to its development. Your
thoughtful input was instrumental in helping to shape the content.
industry representatives
Debbie Ammeter, CFP, Fellow of
FPSC™, Investors Group
Kevin Bandelow, CFP, Sun Life
Jack Courtney, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™,
Investors Group
Caroline Dabu, BMO Financial Group
Richa Hingorani, CPA, CMA, CFP,
Fellow of FPSC™, RBC
Cathy Hiscott, CHS, CFP,
Freedom 55 Financial
Rob McGavin, CFP,
Scotiabank Wealth Management
Scott McKenzie, CFP, T. E. Wealth
Dominic Proietti, CPA, CA,
Scotiabank Wealth Management
Gaetan Ruest, Investors Group
Nick Spencer, CFP, National Bank
Mike Steele, CFP, Manulife
Kim Thompson, Credential
Barbara Trieloff-Deane, PhD,
FCSI, CIWM, FMA, CFP,
Qtrade Financial Group
Michael Walker, RBC Financial Planning
Acknowledgements
financial planners
Nathalie Bachand, A.S.A., F.Pl.
Annie Boivin, B.B.A., F.Pl., D. Fisc., TEP
Dan Busi, CFA, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™
Hélène Carrier, C. Adm., F.Pl., CLU
Pierre Giroux, M. Sc., F.Pl.
Dawn Hawley, CFP
Cynthia Kett, TEP, CPA, CFP,
Fellow of FPSC™
Sophie Labonne, MBA, F.Pl.,
BIBC, SIFC
France Leclerc, M. Fisc., F.Pl.
Craig Lilley, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™
Lawrence Lynch, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™
Jason Peters, FCSI, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™
Terry Schmauder, CFP
Gilles Sinclair, FICB, F.Pl.
Kate Thompson, CFP
40
CFP®
, Certified Financial Planner®
and are certification trademarks owned outside the
U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB). Financial Planning Standards Council
is the marks licensing authority for the CFP marks in Canada, through agreement with FPSB.
All other ® are registered trademarks of FPSC, unless indicated. © 2015 Financial Planning
Standards Council. All rights reserved.

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The Canadian Financial Planning Definitions, Standards & Competencies

  • 1. laplanification financière aucanada: définitions, normeset compétences c a n a d i a n f i n a n c i a l p l a n n i n g d e f i n i t i o n s, s t a n d a r d s & competencies canadianfinancialplanninglaplanificationfinancièreaucanadadefinitions,standards&competencies définitions,normesetcompétences
  • 2. Canadian Financial Planning Definitions, Standards & Competencies
  • 3. 2 ISBN 978-1-926690-08-7 (Financial Planning Standards Council) ISBN 978-2-922174-30-4 (Institut québécois de planification financière) Legal Deposit - Library and Archives Canada, 2015. Legal Deposit - Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2015. Copyright © 2015 Financial Planning Standards Council. All rights reserved. © Institut québécois de planification financière, 2015
  • 4. c a n a d i a n f i n a n c i a l p l a n n i n g d e f i n i t i o n s, s t a n d a r d s & competencies
  • 5. 4
  • 6. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions Financial Planning Financial Planner Financial Plan Code of Ethics and Financial Planning Practice Standards Code of Ethics Preface Application of the Code The Principles of the Code Financial Planning Practice Standards Preface Application of the Practice Standards The Practice Standards Competency Framework Preface Financial Planning Functions Financial Planning Areas Fundamental Financial Planning Practices Professional Skills Technical Knowledge About FPSC & IQPF Acknowledgements 6 12 12 12 13 14 16 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 29 30 33 35 37 38 40
  • 8. 7 The Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) and the Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF), the two organizations that establish and maintain the standards for the financial planning profession in Canada, have joined forces in creating a unified set of definitions, standards and competencies for individuals holding the F.Pl. and Certified Financial Planner® / CFP® designations. Individuals possessing these two designations represent financial planners who must adhere to the highest standards of competence, ethical behaviour and professionalism in Canada. Until now, there was no unified source for clarity on financial planning definitions and professional financial planning standards. FPSC and IQPF now provide The Canadian Financial Planning Definitions, Standards & Competencies as the definitive source for what to expect of financial planners across the country. Through association with the Financial Planning Standards Board, representing over 150,000 financial planners worldwide, the Canadian standards for financial planning are consistent with the highest professional standards in financial planning internationally.
  • 9. 8 Definitions Considerable industry consultation went into the formation of a single set of definitions that solidify what constitutes “financial planning”, what constitutes a “financial planner” and what constitutes a “financial plan”. Financial planning varies in scope and complexity ranging from planning advice that is straightforward and narrow, requiring limited integration across financial planning areas to those engagements that are complex and involved, requiring extensive integration across financial planning areas. In all cases, however, it is the financial planner’s ability to competently and professionally gain a full picture of the individual’s goals, needs and priorities, and the interdependencies among them that provides the greatest value to clients. By definition, a financial planner is an individual capable of providing financial planning advice at the highest level of complexity required by the profession. As a professional, a financial planner holds himself accountable to professional oversight.
  • 10. 9 A financial plan is a written report that assesses an individual’s current financial situation and includes the relevant personal and financial assumptions, information analysis, evaluation of financial strategies and recommendations to assist in achieving an individual’s personal goals, needs and priorities. While financial planning may or may not result in a full blown financial plan, it’s clear1 that all Canadians can benefit from the professional advice of a financial planner. In addition to providing a single set of financial planning definitions, FPSC and IQPF have produced unified standards of ethics, practice and competence for all financial planners. These standards set out the principles of ethical behaviour that financial planners are expected to follow and the process of financial planning that financial planners are expected to adhere to. The Competency Framework serves as the guiding construct for the detailed knowledge, skills and abilities expected of financial planners as outlined in the respective competency profiles provided by FPSC and IQPF. It illustrates the central nature of the 1 2013 Financial Planning Standards Council and Financial Planning Foundation: Value of Financial Planning; http://www.fpsc.ca/value-financial-planning Standards
  • 11. 10 Fundamental Financial Planning Practices. These are the competencies that apply to all financial planning areas and relate to the integration and interrelationships among them. The Framework also highlights the requirement for professional judgment, reasoning, interpersonal and communication skills in the fulfillment of all elements of competency. These professional skills represent fundamental abilities that characterize a true financial planner. This document serves several distinct audiences – financial planners, candidates for certification, educators, employers and the Canadian public – by providing clarity around what to expect of financial planners and by providing an appreciation for the rigorous standards and expectations of those who meet the definition of a financial planner. We would like to extend our gratitude to the diverse group of financial planners, from coast to coast, who gave of their time and expertise in the refinement of these unified Canadian benchmarks in financial planning. We would also like to express our appreciation to the many firms that were consulted, across multiple financial sectors, in the development of the definitions, standards and competency requirements outlined in this document. For more information on FPSC and IQPF, visit www.fpsc.ca and www.iqpf.org.
  • 12. 11 The Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) and the Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF) are the two organizations that establish and maintain the standards for the financial planning profession in Canada.
  • 13. 12 Financial planning is a disciplined, multi-step process of assessing an individual’s current financial and personal circumstances against his future desired state and developing strategies that help meet his personal goals, needs and priorities in a way that aims to optimize the allocation of his resources. Financial planning takes into account the interrelationships among relevant financial planning areas in formulating appropriate strategies. Financial planning areas include financial management, insurance and risk management, investment planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning and legal aspects. Financial planning is an ongoing process involving regular monitoring of an individual’s progress toward meeting his personal goals, needs and priorities, a re-evaluation of financial strategies in place and recommended revisions, where necessary. A financial planner is an individual who possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities and professional judgment to capably provide objective financial planning advice at the highest level of complexity required by the profession. He must agree to be accountable to a professional oversight organization’s practice standards and code of ethics that include an obligation to put his clients’ interests before his own. Financial Planning Financial Planner Definitions
  • 14. 13 Financial Plan A financial plan is a written report that addresses an individual’s personal goals, needs and priorities. It takes into account relevant financial planning areas and the interrelationships among them. The financial planning areas include financial management, insurance and risk management, investment planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning and legal aspects. Each section of the financial plan covers the individual’s current financial situation, the analysis performed to identify issues and opportunities, the evaluation of relevant financial strategies and recommendations to help meet the individual’s personal goals, needs and priorities. A plan includes the personal information and financial assumptions on which it is based. It also includes a disclaimer noting its reliance on information provided by the individual and assumptions made. A plan provides a list of action steps, including what needs to be done, by whom and when.
  • 16. 15 FPSC and IQPF have agreed to a common set of principles and practice standards to which individuals holding the F.Pl. and CFP® designations must abide. They define the ethical and performance standards which clients should expect from a professional relationship. The Code of Ethics outlines the principles of ethical conduct that form the foundation of any profession and is the moral mandate that all stakeholders can use to assess the conduct of professionals. The Financial Planning Practice Standards provide the process of financial planning that must be followed in any client engagement where financial planning services are offered. Throughout the Code of Ethics and Financial Planning Practice Standards, whenever “financial planner” is referred to, it should be taken to read financial planner (i.e. F.Pl. and CFP® professional) and FPSC Level 1™ Certificant in Financial Planning.
  • 17. 16 Preface The Code of Ethics (the Code) represents the moral mandate that governs the conduct of financial planners. It sets out eight ethical principles that govern their conduct in all professional activities, and reflects the standards of ethical conduct that such professionals must demand of themselves and their peers. Upholding these ethical standards provides the public with the necessary guarantees concerning the quality of the professional services offered by financial planners in Canada. The Code of Ethics represents the moral mandate that governs the conduct of financial planners. Code of Ethics
  • 18. 17 Application of the Code Each principle of the Code presents the expected behaviours of financial planners. The Code is designed to guide professionals in their practice but does not undertake to define the standards of professional conduct of financial planners for the purposes of civil liability. The Code represents the commitment of the financial planner to the public, the industry and the profession. For the Public A strong Code is first and foremost about serving the public. It is the financial planner’s pledge to clients. As a client, you should view the Code as setting your expectations for how you will be treated by your financial planner. The Code should assure you that you are working with a professional who is committed to ethically, competently and diligently helping you achieve your life goals.
  • 19. 18 For the Financial Services Industry The F.Pl. and CFP designations allow the financial services industry to easily identify a professional with a documented mastery of financial planning skills, direct experience to draw upon and a commitment to ethical practice. For Financial Planners The Code provides the cornerstone by which financial planners practice their profession. As a professional, you should expect adherence to the Code from yourself and your financial planner colleagues. The integrity and future of the financial planning profession rests on the universal adherence to these principles. The Code provides the cornerstone by which financial planners practice their profession.
  • 20. 19 principle 1: client first A financial planner shall always place the client’s interests first. principle 2: integrity A financial planner shall always act with integrity. principle 3: objectivity A financial planner shall be objective when providing advice or services to clients. principle 4: competence A financial planner shall develop and maintain the abilities, skills and knowledge necessary to competently provide advice or services to clients. principle 5: fairness A financial planner shall be fair and open in all professional relationships. principle 6: confidentiality A financial planner shall maintain confidentiality of all client information. principle 7: diligence A financial planner shall act diligently when providing advice or services to clients. principle 8: professionalism A financial planner shall act in a manner that reflects positively upon the profession. The Principles of the Code
  • 21. 20
  • 22. 2121 Preface The Financial Planning Practice Standards (the Practice Standards) provide guidance to financial planners when engaged in financial planning activities with clients. Outlining these Practice Standards: ~ establishes the level of practice expected of financial planners who are engaged in the delivery of financial planning services to a client; ~ establishes norms of professional practice to promote a consistent delivery of financial planning services by financial planners; ~ clarifies the respective roles and responsibilities of financial planners and their clients in financial planning engagements, protecting both parties from possible misunderstandings; and ~ serves the national public interest by defining a level of service that protects the interests of clients. Financial Planning Practice Standards
  • 23. 22 Application of the Practice Standards The Practice Standards outline the process to be followed in any client engagement where financial planning services are being offered, not just when delivering a comprehensive financial plan. In the unlikely event that a practice standard is in conflict with a legal obligation, the financial planner is expected to adhere to the legal obligation. Where a practice standard is in conflict with an employer’s expectation, the professional remains bound by the Practice Standards and may choose to seek guidance from their employer regarding irreconcilable conflicts of interest. The Practice Standards outline the process to be followed in any client engagement where financial planning services are being offered.
  • 24. 23 Explain the Role of the Financial Planner and Value of the Financial Planning Process Ensure the client understands the role of a financial planner and the value of the process of financial planning in identifying and meeting the client’s personal goals, needs and priorities. Define the Terms of the Engagement Work with the client to define and agree on the scope of the financial planning engagement, whether an initial or review engagement. Identify the Client’s Goals, Needs and Priorities Discuss the client’s personal goals, needs and priorities before identifying possible strategies or making recommendations. Gather the Client’s Information Gather sufficient quantitative and qualitative information relative to the engagement before identifying possible strategies or making recommendations. The Practice Standards
  • 25. 24 Assess the Client’s Current Situation Identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in the client’s financial situation, perform required calculations, develop needed projections, and analyze and integrate the resulting information relative to the client’s personal goals, needs and priorities. Identify and Evaluate Appropriate Financial Planning Strategies Identify and assess the possible financial planning strategies to achieve the client’s personal goals, needs and priorities. Develop the Financial Planning Recommendations Develop and prioritize recommendations to help meet the client’s personal goals, needs and priorities and aim to optimize his financial position. Compile and Present the Financial Planning Recommendations and Supporting Rationale Present the financial planning recommendations and supporting rationale in a way that allows the client to make an informed decision. The Practice Standards
  • 26. 25 Discuss Implementation Actions, Responsibilities and Time Frames Gain the client’s agreement regarding imple­mentation actions, responsibilities and time frames. Stress the importance of a review and ongoing monitoring of the client’s situation relative to his personal goals, needs and priorities periodically and as needed based on material changes in personal or external circumstances. Implement the Financial Planning Recommendations Complete the implementation actions for which the financial planner has assumed responsibility. The Practice Standards
  • 28. 27 The Competency Framework for financial planners (the Framework) is the foundation for the Competency Profile for CFPprofessionals and individuals holding the F.Pl. designation. It provides the structure and serves as the guiding construct for the detailed knowledge, skills and abilities expected of financial planners. It illustrates the interrelationships among the fundamental financial planning practices, financial planning areas, professional skills and technical knowledge that are inherent in the profession of financial planning. Preface TheCompetency Framework servesastheguiding constructfor theknowledge, skillsandabilities expected ofFinancial Planners.
  • 29. 28 Fundamental Financial Planning Practices Financial management Investment planning Insurance and risk management Tax Planning Retirement Planning Estate planning and legal aspects a n alysis recommenda tion collection C ollect quantitative Collect qualitative Assessthe financial planning areas professionalskill s pro fessionalskills professional skills Developrecommendati ons to Identify and technical knowledge information information clientsituation helpoptimizetheclients ituation evaluate strategies The Competency Framework illustrates the central nature of the fundamental financial planning practices.
  • 30. 29 Underlying the professional practice of financial planning are three basic functions defined below. Financial Planning Functions collection Gathers the client’s information Collection refers to the gathering of both quantitative and qualitative information, the identification of relevant facts and documentation, and the preparation and organization of information in a way that allows for appropriate analysis. analysis Assesses the client’s current situation and identifies and evaluates appropriate strategies Analysis competencies encompass identifying issues and opportunities, performing required calculations, developing projections, and preparing and assessing the resulting information in order to identify and evaluate appropriate strategies. recommendation Develops recommendations to help optimize the client’s situation Recommendation competencies focus on the development of recommendations that help meet the client’s personal goals, needs and priorities and strive to optimize the client’s situation. 1 11 111
  • 31. 30 Although there is often a logical sequence to these functions (first collect data, then analyze the data and evaluate strategies and finally make appropriate recommendations), in practice, the financial planner will move back and forth between functions during any client engagement. For example, certain analysis may point to the need for more data collection. Within each financial planning function of Collection, Analysis and Recommendation, elements of competency are assigned to one of the following areas – Financial Management, Insurance and Risk Management, Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Estate Planning and Legal Aspects. The financial planning areas are defined below. Financial Management Financial management focuses on the client’s current and future financial position. The client’s financial position is characterized by his net worth, cash flow and budget. A net worth statement reflects the client’s financial position at a point in time. Information regarding income and cost of living allows the financial planner to anticipate future net worth based on the client’s inclination to save, spend and borrow. Financial Planning Areas
  • 32. 31 Insurance and Risk Management Insurance and risk management focuses on strategies designed to manage the client’s exposure to an unexpected financial loss due to death, health issues, property damage, business and other risks. The financial planner compares the client’s risk exposure to the level of available assets and insurance coverage in place to assess gaps and prioritize risk management needs. Investment Planning Investment planning focuses on how to best manage the client’s investment assets based on his past experience, attitudes, objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and need for income. It involves consideration of the client’s current investment holdings, including not only cash, bonds and stocks, but also land and other real estate holdings. Retirement Planning Retirement planning focuses on the client’s financial well-being after employment has stopped. It involves a comparison of the client’s desired lifestyle in retirement to their current retirement assets, planned savings, expected sources of retirement income, such as government and employer benefits, and return on investment to help ensure adequate retirement income over his lifetime. Retirement savings must be carefully monitored as circumstances change over time.
  • 33. 32 Tax Planning Tax planning focuses on the client’s current and future tax obligations and strategies employed to minimize or defer taxation on personal and/or business income. Tax planning strategies are designed to help strengthen the client’s financial position in current and future tax periods and better enable him to meet his personal goals, needs and priorities. Tax planning is a key financial planning area since financial decisions will generally have tax implications. Estate Planning Estate planning focuses on the payment of expenses and obligations at death and the transfer of assets to successors under the Will and outside the Will. The financial planner assesses the client’s estate wishes, projects the client’s net worth at death, determines any constraints or opportunities to achieve the client’s transition and estate planning goals, and develops strategies and recommendations to help meet them. Legal Aspects The financial planner must understand the client’s legal situation. This may relate to spousal and child support obligations or entitlements; third party obligations; shareholder, partner or trust agreements; Powers of Attorney or Mandates in the case of incapacity. A full knowledge of the
  • 34. 33 client’s legal rights and obligations is critical based on their potential repercussions and impact on achieving his personal goals. Financial planners must apply fundamental financial planning practices to all areas of financial planning. These elements relate to the integration and interrelationships among the areas and are key to any and all financial planning engagements. In order for a financial planner to provide meaningful advice and planning, he must understand all of the client’s personal goals, needs, priorities, interdependencies, overall constraints and opportunities in order to develop appropriate financial planning strategies and recommendations. Throughout the planning process, it is important to consider the integration of financial planning areas since decisions made in one area will impact, and be impacted by, decisions made in others. For example, to the extent that a client wishes to provide for their child’s education over the next four years, retire in 10 years and leave a sizeable estate, the budget will need to account for these various goals. Fundamental Financial Planning Practices2 2 IQPF considers the integration and interrelationships among financial planning areas by raising them in the context of a number of defined client situations, each of which requires the consideration of multiple financial planning areas.
  • 35. 34 Likewise, investment planning decisions will impact the client’s ability to meet goals related to major purchases, as well as retirement and estate planning goals. There is also a significant relationship between investment planning and tax planning since different asset classes and investment vehicles have different levels of tax efficiency. As well, clients may not be aware of how decisions over their lifetime will affect the value of their estate and its distribution. The financial planner can educate clients about the impact of retirement planning and risk management decisions on their estate plan and recommend strategies, including maximizing RRSP savings, setting up an individual pension plan or purchasing additional insurance to help create the level of estate the client wishes. Professional skills represent the fundamental abilities that characterize a true financial planner.
  • 36. 35 Professional Skills The Framework further identifies two categories of professional skills – “Communication” and “Cognitive Abilities and Judgment”. Professional skills speak to acting as a professional with clients and colleagues and to the financial planner’s responsibility to the profession of financial planning. Professional skills are inherent in the fulfillment of each and every financial planning function and competency with each and every client. The financial planner could be applying several of the professional skills throughout any given client engagement. They are depicted in the Framework as overlaying all financial planning functions, areas and the complete set of competencies. They represent the fundamental abilities that define a true professional. The two categories of professional skills are defined below. Communication At the outset of any financial planning engagement, the financial planner must gain a full and complete understanding of the client’s quantitative and qualitative information related to their goals, needs and priorities, including their values, circumstances, attitudes and biases. This information can best be obtained through an interview process that employs various interview
  • 37. 36 methods or techniques which encourage discussion, demonstrate interest and attention, and put the client at ease. Responsibility for effective communication rests primarily with the financial planner. This requires active listening skills to build a good rapport and a trusting relationship with the client. Recommendations and strategies must be presented in a clear and logical manner with any objections and concerns managed in a positive and productive manner. The financial planner must always bear in mind that the client makes the final decision and be respectful of the client’s thinking, behaviours and any differences of opinion. Cognitive Abilities and Judgment The process of providing financial planning recommendations requires that the financial planner has the capacity to apply judgment in identifying client information to gather, in assessing the appropriate type and level of analysis and in integrating information from a variety of sources. They must also be able to apply sound mathematical methods, logic and reasoning to identify and assess the strengths and weaknesses of potential strategies and the ability to adapt to change in the face of new information, changes in economic and regulatory environments, changing client objectives and situations.
  • 38. 37 Financial planners must practice in accordance with applicable professional standards and use reasonable judgment in those areas not addressed by existing practice standards. Further, they must employ sound professional reasoning to decide not only the technically best solution, but also the one that is ethically and morally right. They must also recognize the limits of their competence and seek the counsel of other professionals when appropriate. Clients place the financial planner in a position of trust. There is a professional obligation to maintain and foster that trust and to always place the interests of the client ahead of all others. Underlying these obligations is recognition of the greater public interest role of the financial planning profession and the responsibility to act with the highest degree of professionalism that inspires the respect of clients, colleagues, industry and the public. Technical knowledge across financial planning areas is the foundation for competent performance. As such, without the appropriate technical knowledge, the competencies cannot be demonstrated. This knowledge comes from a variety of sources, including formal education, continuing education, professional journals and the daily business press. Technical Knowledge
  • 39. 38 Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC® ) is a not-for-profit organization which develops, promotes and enforces professional standards in financial planning through Certified Financial Planner® certification. FPSC's purpose is to instill confidence in the financial planning profession. FPSC ensures that CFP® professionals and FPSC Level 1™ Certificants in Financial Planning meet appropriate standards of competence and professionalism through rigorous requirements in education, examination, experience and ethics. The Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF) is the only organization in Quebec authorized to grant financial planning diplomas and to establish rules concerning the ongoing professional development of professional financial planners. Only professionals recognized by the Institut québécois de planification financière are authorized to use the title of Financial Planner (F.Pl.) in Quebec. The IQPF is also the only organization in the province entirely dedicated to and reserved for financial planners. About FPSC and IQPF 38
  • 40. 39 Contact Information FPSC: 902 - 375 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2J5 416 593-8587 / Toll Free: 1 800 305-9886 IQPF: 3 Place du Commerce, suite 501, Île-des-Soeurs, Verdun (Quebec) H3E 1H7 514 767-4040 / Toll Free: 1 800 640-4050 39
  • 41. 40 FPSC and IQPF would like to express our sincere gratitude to the diverse group of financial planners, from coast to coast, who have contributed to the development of The Canadian Financial Planning Definitions, Standards & Competencies. We would also like to express our appreciation to the many firms, across industry sectors, that contributed to its development. Your thoughtful input was instrumental in helping to shape the content. industry representatives Debbie Ammeter, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™, Investors Group Kevin Bandelow, CFP, Sun Life Jack Courtney, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™, Investors Group Caroline Dabu, BMO Financial Group Richa Hingorani, CPA, CMA, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™, RBC Cathy Hiscott, CHS, CFP, Freedom 55 Financial Rob McGavin, CFP, Scotiabank Wealth Management Scott McKenzie, CFP, T. E. Wealth Dominic Proietti, CPA, CA, Scotiabank Wealth Management Gaetan Ruest, Investors Group Nick Spencer, CFP, National Bank Mike Steele, CFP, Manulife Kim Thompson, Credential Barbara Trieloff-Deane, PhD, FCSI, CIWM, FMA, CFP, Qtrade Financial Group Michael Walker, RBC Financial Planning Acknowledgements financial planners Nathalie Bachand, A.S.A., F.Pl. Annie Boivin, B.B.A., F.Pl., D. Fisc., TEP Dan Busi, CFA, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™ Hélène Carrier, C. Adm., F.Pl., CLU Pierre Giroux, M. Sc., F.Pl. Dawn Hawley, CFP Cynthia Kett, TEP, CPA, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™ Sophie Labonne, MBA, F.Pl., BIBC, SIFC France Leclerc, M. Fisc., F.Pl. Craig Lilley, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™ Lawrence Lynch, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™ Jason Peters, FCSI, CFP, Fellow of FPSC™ Terry Schmauder, CFP Gilles Sinclair, FICB, F.Pl. Kate Thompson, CFP 40 CFP® , Certified Financial Planner® and are certification trademarks owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB). Financial Planning Standards Council is the marks licensing authority for the CFP marks in Canada, through agreement with FPSB. All other ® are registered trademarks of FPSC, unless indicated. © 2015 Financial Planning Standards Council. All rights reserved.