Certified Financial Planner

The cohort-based, one-year Executive Program requires the completion of six courses, each spanning eight weeks. All courses are required to sit for the CFP® Examination. The goal of the program is to assist participants through successful completion of the materials using techniques applicable to adult learning styles and a schedule that will integrate into busy work and personal lives.

Oakland University's Certificate Program in Personal Financial Planning is registered with the CFP® Board of Standards in Washington, D.C. OU's program was one of the first in the country to be registered by the CFP® Board, and the program abides by all Board standards. 

The PFP 37010 Course will be available on a continuous basis through a virtual, On-Demand
learning curriculum.  There will be a quiz at the end of each module in addition to a final exam at
the end of the course designed to assess the understanding of the content delivered.  If a
participant successfully passes each module and the final exam, they will be provided a PACE
Certificate of Achievement for passing the PFP 37010 Course.

Successful completion of the PFP 37010, paired with a State Life, Health, and Accident license and SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam completion administered through FINRA (Financial
Industry Regulatory Agency) will allow participants to bypass the 3 year experience requirement
to enroll in the OU Executive Program to obtain the CFP® education requirements.

Suggested Materials: None required; supplemental reading can be found in the American
College of Financial Services® textbook “Foundations of Financial Planning: An Overview,”
which can be purchased separately from the American College.

Instructors:  The content and Instructors will be managed by APEG (Advanced Planning
Education Group) through its agreements with qualified instructors, all of which hold an
advanced degree such as J.D., CPA or CFP®.

Waiver: All participants must enter a waiver of claim and covenant not to sue in agreement,
neither Oakland University, APEG, Inc. and/or the Instructors for liability or reliance on any
information provided in the PFP 37010 Course. 

PFP 37010 Course:  Summary of Topics

• Introduction to Financial Planning - Learn about the Financial Planning process and how
  to create opportunities for financial planning
• Estate Planning – Learn the key elements essential for Estate Planning
• Income Tax - Learn the basics of Income Tax under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and
  discuss the importance of Income Tax planning in the Financial Planning process 
• Risk Management / Insurance - Learn about Insurance and other techniques that can be
  used to mitigate various types of Risk
• Retirement Income Planning - Learn how to help clients plan for Retirement
• Employee Benefits, Social Security, and Medicare – Learn the essentials of these complex
  areas
• Investment Planning - Learn the basics of Investments
• College Planning - Learn the importance of helping families plan for college costs
  without jeopardizing their other financial goals

Course topics are covered in eight week periods with the final two weeks used for webinar presentations and personalized review as needed. The optional 40-hour CFP® Exam Review is strategically held just before the CFP® Exam in March. 

One Monday of each month is reserved for the Fundamentals Mastery Course (part of the capstone) which covers the introduction to the financial planning process, including gathering and analyzing client data, developing recommendations, and reading and understanding a complete financial plan. 

1) Investments, Survey, and Financial Calculator

A newly re-designed introduction to the Principles of Personal Financial Planning and Investments.  Participants receive an extensive introduction to the financial planning process, time value of money, ethical considerations, economic environment and essential investment planning concepts.  The course includes study of securities markets, investment asset classes, portfolio construction, and investment techniques, tools and strategies.  This course is a prerequisite to all the other courses in the program.  An HP10BII calculator is required for the program.

2) Income Tax Planning

Designed to enable the professional providing personal financial planning services to recognize many of the income tax planning opportunities and dilemmas that may arise. The course covers the fundamentals of individual income taxation and tax law overview, terminology and computations. Discussion and analysis will focus on practical problems involving tax planning implications of home ownership; property transactions; tax advantage investments; divorce and remarriage; forms of business ownership; accounting methods and periods; life insurance, annuities, and securities; intra-family and charitable transfers; and forms and methods of employment compensation.

3) Risk Management/Insurance Planning

Survey of risk management, primarily in the areas of life, health, casualty, and liability insurance. Includes analysis of risk exposure, evaluation techniques for various insurance plans, and contract selection criteria from a cost-benefit standpoint. Income and estate taxation laws as related to insurance premiums and benefits; alternative methods of funding insurance premiums; and the role of insurance in retirement and estate planning will also be discussed.

4) Retirement Planning
Provides working knowledge of retirement planning tools, terminology, and techniques, including the rules, regulations, and taxation of qualified and non-qualified plans: Pension, profit sharing, 401(k), SEP, IRA, and deferred compensation. Includes study of the basic characteristics of specific employee benefits such as group life insurance and group health coverage. The financial planning process will be emphasized in class discussion with illustrations from practical experience and actual case histories

5) Estate Planning & Advanced Case Study

Newly re-designed, this course combines the estate planning essentials with practical application using the case study method.  The course covers the estate planning process, property ownership and implications, lifetime and death-related transfers, legal documents, federal gift and estate tax law, business transfers, estate valuation, and income tax ramifications in estate planning. The case studies integrate all aspects of the financial planning process with an emphasis on the estate planning.  Students are expected to participate actively in the case presentations.

6) Fundamentals of Financial Planning/Capstone

The Capstone will be offered in partnership with Dalton Education. The Financial Plan Development course features solid, practical application of all the material covered in the prior classes and will be covered throughout the cycle of the Executive Program. Students are required to prepare a comprehensive written financial plan and to present it orally, according to rules established by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. The course provides both relevant, practical experience in comprehensive planning and superlative preparation for the case studies in the national certification examination.

Exam Review

This optional but highly recommended review course provides 40-hours of comprehensive review of all content including case scenarios. Students enrolled in our program are eligible for a $300 discount towards the Dalton Exam Review Program. 

Students connected with APEG and its strategic partners, RightCapital, SPS Family and Producers Choice are eligible for discounted pricing. Contact [email protected] for more information.

One Monday of each month is reserved for the Financial Plan Development(part of the capstone) which covers the introduction to the financial planning process, including gathering and analyzing client data, developing recommendations, and reading and understanding a complete financial plan. 

Program Schedule

We offer a carousel model. Students may enter the program in January, April, or September.  For specific course dates please click here. 

All courses other than Financial Plan Development will take place on Wednesday from 6-9:30pm. Financial Plan Development will take place once a month on Monday from 6-8pm.

Foundations of Financial Planning

Cost: $795

Location: Online in an On-Demand Format

Executive Program

Cost: Total tuition cost is $5,100. Payment plan is available. *Textbooks are purchased separately.

• Oakland University discount applied automatically, no code needed
• Includes ebook, Qbank questions, online study guide and assessments *Print Textbook available for an additional cost 
• For additional information and step by step instructions please contact Professional and Continuing Education, [email protected]