Customized and In-House Certified Financial Planner Program

An in-house program has many advantages:

1. Motivation is increased over that of a anonymous classroom.

2. Participants are encouraged by the interest shown in their career, increasing loyalty to the firm.

3. A team mentality can emerge, facilitating synergistic cross-talk and cooperation in the workplace.

4. Participants appreciate the convenience, which makes attendance less burdensome.

5. The module can be customized to include material most relevant to your particular challenges.

6. Increased flexibility in scheduling to double up on modules and speed completion.

Module scheduling can be flexible - we suggest three hour classes starting at 4:00 or later on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, but are willing to consider other times. Alternatives might be Saturday classes, a six-hour day once a week, etc.  Such arrangements would depend on instructor availability.

There are a number of important considerations:

1. Our program is approved by the CFP board as fulfilling the educational requirements to sit for the CFP examination.  The approval is not automatic, strict requirements must be met and the approval must be renewed on a regular basis.  Although there is some flexibility, and the material in any one module can be modified to be more relevant to the particular group, the overall curriculum and content approved by the CFP board cannot be changed.  All requirements of the existing program must be met.

2. The CFP Board will begin requiring a bachelor's degree in 2007.  We require students to hold a bachelors degree in order to be fully accepted into the program.  We can, however, accept qualified students without a bachelor's degree on a provisional basis. Provisional students must receive a grade of "B" or better in the Introduction module and the Time Value mini-module to be fully accepted and continue the program.

3. The material (and the CFP exam) is considered challenging, and we strive to maintain the quality of the program.  Students receiving a "C" in more than two modules will not be considered as successfully completing the program, and will not receive the VCU certification or be certified as meeting the educational requirements for the CFP exam.  Note, however, that students may increase their grade by repeating any module one time (per module) at no charge.  Further, instructors are usually willing to spend extra time with students if needed.

4. The Time Value module is especially critical to the material covered in other modules - and indeed to any financial endeavor.  Students will not be allowed to take modules beyond the Introduction module unless they have passed the Time Value mini-module.

If you are interested in a customized or in-house program, please contact Jan Allen at 804/828-3198, jaallen@vcu.edu