Financial Planning Certificate
Shape your future.
The online Financial Planning Certificate program at York College of Pennsylvania is conveniently designed to enhance your career trajectory in the financial sector. The program leads to certification as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) by sharpening your expertise in financial planning, investment management, and wealth management strategies.
York’s robust financial planner certification program is flexible based on your career commitments. Convenient online courses intensify your grasp of vital concepts, including tax planning, estate planning, and personal financial advice.
Graduates emerge as sought-after financial professionals prepared to sit for the CFP examination and become credentialed in the financial planning field, opening further career opportunities through enriching interactions and flexible learning.
About the Online Financial Planning Certificate
Financial Planning Certificate Curriculum and Requirements
The online Financial Planning Certificate program caters best to those with an accounting background and a master’s degree. If you aspire to specialize in financial planning or advance in your existing roles in personal finance, business, or related disciplines, this program:
- Includes seven courses, amounting to 21 credits
- Equips you to meet the Certified Financial Planner experience requirement and to sit for the CFP certification examination
- Bolsters your capacity to implement sophisticated financial planning strategies
For those interested in the comprehensive and intensive training of a complete master’s program or certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), check out our flexible online Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program.
Career-Enriching Financial Planning Courses
Our online or in-person courses foster an in-depth understanding of the financial planning sector's fundamental competencies. Courses you may take include:
- FPL 220: Financial Accounting
- FPL 305: Taxation I
- FPL 330: Risk Management and Insurance
- FPL 582: Investments
Develop high-level skills in areas as diverse as balance sheets, cash flow, capital markets, capital budgeting, and more.
Financial Aid and Admissions for the Graduate Finance Certificate
Based on your minimum course load each semester, you may be eligible for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However you plan to manage the cost of your certification program, our experienced Financial Aid Office team is ready to assist.
Connect with the Financial Aid Office and review tuition and costs.
Find admissions details, including application materials.
Pursue CFP Certification with York College of Pennsylvania’s Online Financial Planning Certificate Program
The online Financial Planning Certificate at York College prepares working professionals for a dynamic career leap in the financial planning sector.
Ready to discover the career benefits of our practical financial planning courses? Request more information or start your application today.
Enrich Career Prospects with Certified Financial Planner Certification
The comprehensive Financial Planning Certificate program amplifies your professional profile with sought-after financial skills and the ability to pursue the respected credential of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
Excel in related positions and demonstrate a commitment to the field that leads to further career advancement. Possible post-certificate career pathways include:
- Certified Financial Planner
- Estate Planning Consultant
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Consultant
- Personal Wealth Advisor
- Retirement Planning Consultant
Apply your inherent strengths to forge a path that is rewarding and impactful as you support the financial health of others, their families, and their businesses. Use the expertise you gain to open an independent financial planning or consulting business or pursue advancement opportunities in the dynamic financial sector.
Certified Financial Planner Salaries
Certified Financial Planners and other finance roles pursued with a graduate certificate or advanced experience often command higher salary potential with annual earnings that reflect the level of training and demanding nature of these positions. With the distinction of a graduate certificate in the field, you may be closer to advancing to roles with higher salary prospects in finance and accounting, in addition to becoming a CFP.
- Personal financial advisors—$94,170/year
- Financial analysts and financial risk specialists—$95,570-100,000/year
- Financial managers—$131,710/year
Integrated Practical Applications
Our Financial Planning Certificate program focuses on real-world application, helping you align with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) competencies and ensuring your readiness for marked success in the financial sector. You’ll complete real financial plans for yourself and through case studies, covering the essential pillars of financial planning from income tax to insurance contracts, to pension plans and wills and trusts.
Learn Directly from Finance Experts
Our accomplished faculty, all experienced finance practitioners themselves, offer invaluable industry insights and mentorship through engaging virtual discussions, further enriched by comprehensive feedback.
Connect to a Wide Network of Finance Professionals
Distinct from those industry leaders in your faculty, our certificate program and York’s deep local connections pave the way for you to access a vast network of finance professionals, offering immense networking, collaboration, and growth opportunities.
Prime Skills for the Financial Industry
The flexible Financial Planning Certificate program is fully adjustable to your professional needs and aspirations, equipping you to shape your financial career effectively and align with the competencies of credentialed CFPs.
Build skills including:
- Understanding of key financial planning concepts
- Proficiency in investment analysis and wealth management strategies
- Advanced skills in insurance planning, tax planning, and retirement planning
- Strong communication skills for working with clients and other professionals
- Project management skills focused on planning and implementing financial strategies
Financial Planning Certificate Courses
Your class schedule will include a series of core courses related to your field and taught by faculty experts.
| Course Name | Course Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | FPL 220 | 3 Credits |
| Taxation I | FPL 305 | 3 Credits |
| Risk Management and Insurance | FPL 330 | 3 Credits |
| Investments | FPL 582 | 3 Credits |
Careers in Financial Planning
A Financial Planning Certificate opens up a variety of career opportunities. Some of your options may include:
Certified Financial Planner
Estate Planning Consultant
Financial Analyst
Investment Consultant
Personal Wealth Advisor
Retirement Planning Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
A Certified Financial Planner (CPF) is a professional trained and certified in personal financial planning. They assist individuals and families in managing their finances, from budgeting and retirement planning to investing and estate planning.
The CFP certification, regulated by the Certified Financial Planner Board, demonstrates that the holder meets rigorous professional standards, has passed academic, testing, and experiential requirements, and adheres to a strict code of ethics.
Yes, our comprehensive curriculum is specifically designed to prepare you for the Certified Financial Planner exam. It covers all core topics outlined by the CFP® Board, offering both academic knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the exam and your career.
Designed with working professionals in mind, our program offers significant flexibility. Attend classes remotely through a modular format that enables you to learn at your own pace, balancing your education alongside your professional commitments.
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