Executive Certificate in Financial Planning

CFP

This course is registered with the CFP® BOARD

This program is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. The CFP® Board is a national regulatory organization whose mission is to benefit the public by fostering the highest professional standards in personal financial planning.

The Executive Certificate in Financial Planning prepares individuals for success in the demanding but highly rewarding financial planning industry. The courses in this program cover the areas of expertise that are needed to develop comprehensive, effective financial plans for a variety of individual clients. Those who successfully complete the program are awarded a certificate of completion by Old Dominion University.

This educational program is also registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. The CFP® Board is a national regulatory organization whose mission is to benefit the public by fostering the highest professional standards in personal financial planning. The CFP® designation is the most recognized and respected discriminator for financial planning professionals. This is a career-enhancing credential that distinguishes those professionals who have received hands-on training in a university-sponsored program.

The Executive Certificate in Financial Planning program consists of six courses. Courses are taken in succession and the entire program can be completed in just over 1 year. This program utilizes a combination of in-class lecture as well as live, online discussion to appeal to working professionals, executives and undergraduate students.

Let Us Guide You!

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The Executive Certificate in Financial Planning prepares individuals for success in the demanding but highly rewarding financial planning industry. We'll show you the way!

   
   

Why Become a CFP?

More and more consumers understand the importance of working with a financial planner they can trust. As part of their certification, CFP® professionals demonstrate their expertise and commit to high standards to earn the respect of their clients. This makes CFP® certification a valued credential to help you stand out and complement your other designations.

CFP® certification demonstrates that you have a strong commitment to personal financial planning and that you are an expert in your field. Your clients want to work with a planner who can give them excellent advice that fits their unique situation. Because you invest in education, rigorous testing and real-world experience while you earn CFP® certification, you will have the confidence and the skills to give your clients the advice they need.

Some CFP® professionals started in other careers and fields. Many come from related fields in the financial services industry. Those who hold other professional designations and licenses decide to add the CFP® mark to their resume to complement their existing credentials, demonstrate their commitment to personal financial planning and help them to stand out from the competition.

More and more consumers understand the importance of working with a financial planner they can trust. As part of their certification, CFP® professionals demonstrate their expertise and commit to high standards to earn the respect of their clients. This makes CFP® certification a valued credential to help you stand out and complement your other designations.

CFP® certification demonstrates that you have a strong commitment to personal financial planning and that you are an expert in your field. Your clients want to work with a planner who can give them excellent advice that fits their unique situation. Because you invest in education, rigorous testing and real-world experience while you earn CFP® certification, you will have the confidence and the skills to give your clients the advice they need.

Some CFP® professionals started in other careers and fields. Many come from related fields in the financial services industry. Those who hold other professional designations and licenses decide to add the CFP® mark to their resume to complement their existing credentials, demonstrate their commitment to personal financial planning and help them to stand out from the competition.

Why become a CFP®?

 

Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP®, Founder & CEO, Financial Fountains discusses why she became a CFP® professional and the benefits of CFP® certification -- the highest standard of personal financial planning.

Course Information

Applicants include CPA's, CPU's, CLU's, CFSA's, lawyers, stockbrokers, trust officers, and realtors as well as other representatives of the financial services industry. Candidates for this course are NOT required to hold a baccalaureate degree nor is one needed to take the CFP® Certification Examination.

It is required that anyone planning to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination complete a registered program, request a transcript review, or be eligible to challenge the examination by virtue of academic or professional credentials. For more information regarding these categories, visit the CFP® Board's website

Apply Now to begin the application process. Once the online application has been submitted, an acceptance e-mail will be sent containing instructions on how to register for the course. You cannot register until you have completed the online application and have been accepted into the program. This is a short, but necessary process.

Although a baccalaureate degree is NOT required for our program or to take the CFP exam, you are required to complete a bachelor's degree within five years after passing the CFP exam to become CFP certified.

The Executive Certificate in Financial Planning program is currently offered in a Live-Online format and is registered with the CFP board.

Live-online classes offer the added flexibility of attending class from anywhere. Our virtual classroom provides you with the opportunity to interact in real-time with our expert instructors with the added benefit of watching recordings of your class sessions at your convenience until the course ends.

Arrangements can be made for you to pick your books up at the School of Continuing Education or for students that are out of the area, course materials will be delivered directly to your home. We recommend registering at least seven (7) business days in advance of the class start date to ensure timely delivery of your student package.

Students will be provided instructions for accessing the course during the scheduled time and will be able to interact with the instructor. A high speed internet connection, speaker, microphone and camera will be necessary for full access.  Learn more about the technology requirements.

 

CFP Certification Requirements:

In addition to classes, the CFP board has certification requirements. Learn more about he CFP Certification Requirements.

Part One: Introduction to Financial Planning
The first two sessions introduce financial planning. Instruction centers on the financial planning process and including gathering data from clients, analyzing data to determine needs, and compiling and presenting recommendations in a clear and concise manner.

Part Two: Risk Management - Individual Insurance & Employee Benefits
The remainder of this course focuses on risk management including life, health, disability, property, casualty, and liability. Since most risk can be transferred through insurance, the nature of insurance programs and policies, as well as specific coverage offered by various programs, will be covered along with the financial rating and operation of insurance companies.

In this introduction to financial taxation concepts, emphasis will be placed on individual tax returns, property transactions, gifts and inheritances, and choice of business entity. The passive loss rules will be discussed, as well as like-kind exchanges, involuntary conversions, and tax consequences of personal home sales. Also covered will be basic rules for moving deductions, hobby losses, depreciation (MMACRS), and choice of accounting methods. Tax planning and other potentials tips to clients will be interspersed throughout the course.

Providing a survey of financial investment analysis, emphasis is placed on understanding the valuation process for alternative investment vehicles and the economic factors which affect their risk. Topics include the mechanics of present and future value analysis, real estate valuation, stocks, bonds, real estate, options, and futures. All of these are discussed within the context of developing portfolio strategies, which are consistent with the objectives of individual clients and their willingness and ability to undertake risk.

The primary objective of estate planning is to assist people in planning for the management of their assets and the passing of those assets to their intended beneficiaries in the most efficient and least costly manner. This course gives the foundations of estate planning, from basic concepts of joint ownership of property to complex planning with wills and trusts, including probate avoidance, federal estate and gift taxation, marital and charitable deduction planning, medical directives, and planning for second marriages. Students will be better equipped to counsel clients and understand the necessary estate planning documents.

This course will cover specific provisions of qualified retirement plans including profit sharing, defined benefits, 401k plans, IRAs, and SEPs. Other employee benefit topics include Social Security, non-qualified deferred compensation, and income tax impact of employee benefits and retirement plans on both the employer and employee.

Case Study Required

*Prerequisites: modules 1-5

The focus in the final course is on integrating information provided in the previous courses, and beginning to apply what has been learned to practical situations through the use of case studies and other methods. This course culminates with each student completing a comprehensive financial plan for a client, the practicum required for successful completion of the program.

William J. Dungan, CFP, is currently President and CEO of Dungan & Associates, LLC. He was formerly the vice president of life and employee benefits plans with USI Insurance. He holds the professional designations of CFS, CEBS, CLU, and ChFC. A graduate of Old Dominion of University, Dungan holds a master's degree in financial services from the American College.

Walter McDaniel, CFP, is currently the owner and sole proprietor of a tax and employee benefits advisory practice. Prior to starting his own firm, he was associated with Prudential Preferred Financial Services for 18 years, Lincoln Financial Advisors for two years, and he served as the regional vice president of AXA Advisors, LLC for four years. He holds multiple professional designations including CLU, ChFC, and EA. McDaniel earned his B.S. in accounting from Virginia Tech. He has been an adjunct faculty member at Old Dominion University since 2002.

Samuel E. Johnson (Sam), CPA, is currently a Lecturer in the School of Accountancy, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in accounting and taxation. Prior to joining ODU, he was a partner in the Richmond office of Cherry Bekaert LLP. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Johnson holds a Master of Taxation degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Bruce L. Rubin, PhD, has been a member of the Finance Department at Old Dominion University since 1981. He has served as chairman of the Finance Department, interim dean of the School of Business and Public Administration, and is current director of the Economics Club of Hampton Roads and the director of the Insurance and Financial Services Center. Rubin helped design the original financial planning program, and has taught for the program since its beginning in 1983. Rubin received his bachelor's degree from New York University, and his master's and doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. He was previously on the faculty of the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

Apply for the Program

Our program requires an application to be admitted. This is a short, but necessary process. See the requirements under "Course Information" above. 

Program Schedule

  • Dates: TBD
  • Day(s): TBD
  • Saturdays: TBD
  • Location: 2111 Monarch Hall & Live-Online
  • Continuing Education Units: 4.2
  • Instructor: William Dungan, CFP, CEBS, CLU, ChFC, MS
  • Tuition: $999

  • Dates: TBD
  • Day(s): TBD
  • Saturdays: TBD
  • Location: 2111 Monarch Hall & Live-Online
  • Continuing Education Units: 3.15
  • Instructor: Walter McDaniel, CLU, CPA, ChFC, EA
  • Tuition: $999

  • Dates: TBD
  • Day(s): TBD
  • Saturday: TBD
  • Location: 2111 Monarch Hall & Live-Online
  • Continuing Education Units: 4.2
  • Instructor: Bruce Rubin, Ph.D.
  • Tuition: $999.00

  • Dates: TBD
  • Day(s): TBD
  • Saturday: TBD
  • Location: 2111 Monarch Hall & Live-Online
  • Continuing Education Units: 3.5
  • Instructor: Samuel Johnson, CPA
  • Tuition: $999

  • Dates: 1/10/24 - 3/23/24
  • Day(s): Wednesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 3/23/24, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (exam)
  • Location: Online-Live, via Zoom
  • Continuing Education Units: 3.85
  • Instructor: Dennis Harvey
  • Tuition: $999

  • Dates: 4/02/24 - 7/24/24 (No Class: 6/19/24 & 7/03/24)
  • Day: Wednesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
  • Location: Online-Live, via Zoom
  • Continuing Education Units: 5.25
  • Instructor: TBD
  • Tuition: $1,099

Funding Options

ODU's helpful staff can assist you in determining if you might qualify for any number of various funding options that could assist you with non-credit continuing educational opportunities to improve your marketability and advance your career.

Refund Policy

To withdraw from a course you must send a request in writing to davans@odu.edu seven (7) days prior the start date of the course. Failure to attend a course does not constitute withdrawal. Course registration fees, less a $50 processing fee will be refunded via check per Old Dominion University policy. There are no refunds once the class has begun.

Late withdrawals of six (6) days or less before the class begins, will result in the student being charged the $50 processing fee, as well as charges for books and/or other course material fees.

CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and are certification marks owned by Certified Financial Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.