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How to Become a Certified Financial Planner

Home >> Articles >> Business Degrees >> How to Become a Certified Financial Planner

What Certified Financial Planners Do

Financial analysts and advisors help individuals and businesses make the best financial choices. They can help to gather numbers, look at them and create plans of action or budgets. Many times when a business is looking to make a payroll or employee increase, or move to new quarters, they will hire financial analysts to tell them if it's a good idea. People who are saving or investing sums of money should hire a certified financial planner to advise them. 

Training to Become a Certified Financial Planner

Two certification exams are the hallmarks of becoming a certified financial planner. With three years of work experience and a bachelor's degree, you are eligible to get a Chartered Financial Analyst certificate. Comprehensive essay exams on accounting, economics, securities, finance and portfolio management evaluate your knowledge of financial planning. The Certified Financial Planner credential covers different areas of finances: insurance and risk management, benefits, taxes and investments. If you pass both exams after a few years of studying, you are well on your way to becoming a certified financial planner.

Careers as a Certified Financial Planner

Financial analysts earn between $40,000 and $80,000, with some careers peaking at over $100,000 per year. Financial advisors make about the same, making your training to become a certified financial planner well worth your time. There are job opportunities in this field on salary or as a freelance consultant, advising individuals, banks, businesses or investment firms on their best decisions.

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Business Degrees Featured Schools

For information on Business Degrees , please visit any school below and request more information.

Berkeley College

7 Campus Locations

Widely recognized as unique among colleges and universities, Berkeley College offers a proven approach to career education that provides students with a competitive edge and the skills sought by employers. More Details...

Programs :-
  • Financial Planners Certificate
  • BS in Financial Services
  • AAS, Financial Services
  • BBA, Financial Services
  • BBA, Accounting
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Kaplan University

1 Campus Location

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work. More Details...

Programs :-
  • MS in Finance - Financial Planning
  • MS in Finance - Financial Analysis
  • MS in Finance
  • MBA - Finance
  • AAS in Business Administration - Banking Service
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Golden Gate University

2 Campus Locations

For more than 110 years, non-profit Golden Gate University (GGU) has been helping adults achieve their professional goals by providing undergraduate and graduate education in Accounting, Law, Taxation, Business and related areas. More Details...

Programs :-
  • Financial Planning - Masters
  • M. S. in Financial Planning and Taxation
  • Finance - Masters
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Ashworth College

1 Campus Location

Get the hands-on training and skills it takes to succeed with Ashworth College, a respected, worldwide leader in distance education. Study at the times and places most convenient for you. More Details...

Programs :-
  • Financial Planning
  • Associate of Science Degree in Finance
  • Associate of Science Degree in Accounting
  • Basic Accounting
  • Associate of Science Degree in General Business
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University of Phoenix

171 Campus Locations

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think. More Details...

Programs :-
  • BS in Business/Finance
  • B.S. in Business/Finance
  • Master of Science in Accountancy
  • A.A. in Accounting
  • BS in Business/Accounting
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Strayer University

73 Campus Locations

Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults. More Details...

Programs :-
  • MBA: Finance
  • BBA: Finance
  • BBA: Banking
  • AA: Economics
  • BS: Economics
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University of St. Mary

1 Campus Location

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality. More Details...

Programs :-
  • Master's in Business Administration - Finance
  • Master's in Business Administration - General Management

DeVry University

90 Campus Locations

We work closely with industry leaders to build market-driven degree programs. This ensures DeVry University graduates from our five distinguished colleges of study, as well as DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, are prepared to meet the challenges of today’s global marketplace. More Details...

Programs :-
  • Graduate Certificate-Financial Analysis
  • Bachelor's - Business Administration - Finance
  • Master's-Accounting and Financial Management
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Northwestern College

3 Campus Locations

Training for a successful future is easier than you may think! Northwestern College offers flexible career training to fit your busy schedule. Earning your certificate or degree will put you in a position to increase your earning potential and advance into the career you've always wanted! More Details...

Programs :-
  • Business Administration - Finance and Investment Management emphasis
  • Executive Accounting
  • Business Administration - Management Emphasis
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Baker College Online

1 Campus Location

Baker College Online is fully accredited and offers over 40 programs that will help you earn your Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Master's or Doctorate degree affordably. Learn more now. More Details...

Programs :-
  • Master of Business Administration - Finance
  • Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
  • Associate of Business - Accounting/Management
  • Associate of Business - Accounting
  • Master of Business Administration - Accounting
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