University of Redlands > Academics > Continuing Studies > Certificate Programs > Professional Financial Planning

Professional Financial Planning

This program meets the educational requirements to sit for the CFP^® certification exam (pending approval from the CFP^® Board).  Participants in this program will gain a global understanding of financial planning principles and practice including how to develop a comprehensive financial plan, as well as investment, insurance, estate, income tax, employee and retirement benefits planning.

View schedule and campus locations:

Riverside, Wednesday, next class starts July 11,2013

Required courses (21 units) include:

Financial Planning Principles and Practice (3 units)

In this course you will learn how financial plans are developed.  Topics include establishing a client-planner relationship, gathering client data and determining client financial needs for investment, insurance, estate planning and retirement benefits.  Understand the roles and responsibilities of the financial planner, including professional ethics.

Insurance Planning and Risk Management (3 units)

In this course you will develop life, health, casualty and liability insurance planning strategies as part of a comprehensive financial plan.  Topics include assessing and managing risk, evaluating insurance products for tax and estate planning consequences, and understanding the role of insurance in retirement and businesses.

Investment Planning (3 units)

This course surveys various investment vehicles available to meet financial planning goals.  Topics include evaluating risk tolerance, asset allocation strategies, security analysis, bond and security valuations, modern portfolio theory, market analysis, alternative investment instruments and special topics.

Income Tax Planning (3 units)

In this class you will develop an understanding of income tax planning opportunities, issues and challenges.  Topics include income tax law, compliance, calculations, accounting, tax of business entities, trust and estate tax, tax basis, depreciation, like-kind exchange consequences, property tax, alternative minimum tax (AMT), tax reduction techniques, pass activity rules, special circumstances and deductions.  You will examine how insurance planning fits into a comprehensive financial planning strategy.

Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning (3 units)

In this class you will learn how employee benefit plans and comprehensive retirement planning helps clients meet their financial goals.  Topics include retirement needs analysis, Social Security, types of retirement plans, qualified plan rules, investment considerations, distribution rules and consequences, employee benefit plans and options.

Estate Planning (3 units)

This course surveys estate planning principles as they relate to the development of a comprehensive financial plan.  Topics include property titles and transfers, documents including wills and trusts, gifting strategies, tax consequences and compliance, liquidating estates, charitable giving, life insurance, business transfers, fiduciaries and special topics.

Financial Plan Development (3 units)

In this course you will develop professional financial planning strategies, approaches and techniques.  Upon completing this course, you will have developed and presented a comprehensive financial plan based on various client concerns, life stages and risk tolerances.