CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certification Education Program
Program Courses
On-Campus Program Courses and Class Schedule
Complete the certificate in 14 to 18 months by:
Taking more than one course at a time at least once during the program such as Income Tax, Estate or Retirement Planning. (Taking more than two courses per term is not recommended.)
Taking the Introduction and Investment course by themselves (i.e. do not double up).
Taking the Financial Plan Development and Presentation course by itself at the end of the program. (Per CFP Board no exceptions will be made.)
Program Schedule: Courses are held according to the schedule below, but may be subject to change.
Registration tips:
Click on a course link to register.
To see the dates and prices for multiple courses, filter by term.
320-0 Financial Plan Development and Presentation (Capstone) *Only offered during the Fall and Spring terms. Please plan your schedule with this in mind.
IMPORTANT: The registration process for all professional development courses requires you to (A) register for your course,
(B) complete an acknowledgment of Northwestern University's Student Expectations and COVID-19 Code of Conduct in CAESAR, AND (C)
update your emergency contact information
.
Current students with an active NetID must complete their student acknowledgment in CAESAR before registering for courses.
New students must complete their student acknowledgment in CAESAR within 48 hours of enrollment before official registration can be finalized.
Please contact
pdp@northwestern.edu
for assistance.
FN_EXTND 314-0 : Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
Description
This course covers all aspects of retirement planning and
employee benefits, beginning with the presentation of tax-deferred
retirement program options and the framework used to conduct a
needs analysis for achieving retirement income goals. Key features
of qualified retirement plan design are discussed, emphasizing the
advantages and disadvantages of specific types of plans for the
owners of small- to medium-sized businesses. Assumptions and
projections of lifestyle, inflation, returns and life expectancy
are critical when considering retirement needs. An understanding of
cash flow, income sources, medical expenses and benefits must go
into the calculations. Employee compensation has changed
significantly in recent years, so it is essential that financial
planners grasp how to coordinate employer-sponsored benefits within
a plan. All of these issues are addressed in detail, as are how to
avoid inappropriate investments and how to present recommended
courses of action to clients. Additional relevant topics
highlighted in this course include commonly provided non-pension
employee benefits, such as disability, healthcare and group life
insurance. Students will discuss the uses of life and disability
insurance in planning for closely held businesses, as well as for
the family. Childcare, Medicare and other dependent-care benefits
are considered. Federal social security, cafeteria plans, stock
options and stock purchase plans, transportation issues, and forms
of non-qualified deferred compensation are included, as well.
This course is offered during the winter and summer
terms.
Registered students can access their online
course site here. An activated NetID and
password is required for login. *Please note: It may take up to
24-hours for registered students to be added to the online course
platform.
