Program Overview

Financial Planning (FIP)

Overview

This eight-month graduate certificate program prepares students to become specialized in one of the fastest growing sectors in financial services. The curriculum equips students with a skillset for working in client-facing and behind-the-scenes roles with banks, trust companies, insurance companies, and investment, wealth management, and financial planning firms. Students will also learn to manage their personal finances, provide financial advice to the public, and pursue industry-demanded certifications.

Skills

Throughout this program, students will develop the following skills:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Financial planning
• Interpersonal and relationship skills
• Teamwork and collaboration

Work Experience

Field Placement

To support learning, a field placement work experience must be completed. This experiential learning opportunity provides students with the chance to apply knowledge and skills in a financial planning setting, while gaining valuable work experience. The field placement experience requires a minimum of 140 hours of financial planning-related employment activities during studies. The field placement experience is an unpaid or paid position available to students in good academic standing with Seneca and who meet all identified requirements prior to participating.

As an alternative to a field placement, students may complete an industry project that allows them to demonstrate their learning while gaining experience that will help improve employment opportunities.

Program Availability

• Canadian Applicants
• International Applicants

Availability is subject to change, and a seat is not guaranteed.

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's flexible delivery format, with some courses delivered online. In courses delivered in the flexible format, professors teach in person to students in a physical classroom or lab and stream to students online at the same time. Students have a choice of coming to campus for an in-person experience or learning online.

Your Career

Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:

• Employed and self-employed financial services professionals
• Personal bankers
• Financial advisers/planners
• Investment representatives
• Insurance agents/brokers
• Financial planning support associates

Professional Certifications

Successful completion of this program is the first step in obtaining the following industry certifications and designations that are in high demand:

• Canadian Securities Course (CSC)
• Certificate in Financial Services Advice (CFSA)
• Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation
• Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) designation
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation

Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to complete the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) — a prerequisite for employment in many areas of the financial services industry. Successful completion of the CSC and this program will allow students to obtain their Certificate in Financial Services Advice.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to proceed directly to the:

• Applied Financial Planning Certification Exam on the pathway to PFP certification
• QAFP Professional Education Program on the pathway to QAFP certification
• CFP Professional Education Program on the pathway to CFP certification

Pursuing these certifications requires the completion of additional courses, examinations, and/or work experience, all of which involve additional costs.

Sustainability

Seneca Business has made a bold commitment to embed principles of sustainability into every business program offered.

Related Programs

• Business Administration – Financial Planning
• Business – Insurance
• Financial Services Compliance Administration
• Financial Technology