Become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^CM

Financial Advice NZ encourages advisers in the financial planning advice area to join Financial Advice NZ and to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^CM Professional.

A symbol of excellence in financial planning, the CFP^CM Certification Mark represents the highest achievement within the profession. CFP^CM certification is the only globally recognised symbol of excellence for financial planning.

Advisers who demonstrate their commitment to the uppermost level of education and ethical standards in financial planning stand out in the sector as experienced and trusted professionals to their clients and potential clients.

Review the core criteria overview below to see the requirements of becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^CM professional.

If you hold a CFP^CM mark from another country, this information sheet explains the process of obtaining the CFP^CMin New Zealand.

Core criteria

– Have appropriate regulatory status (to enable you to provide financial advice in New Zealand)
– Have at least three years experience as a financial adviser covering all six areas of financial advice; financial management, asset & investment management, insurable risk management, tax planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
– Have completed an approved Post-Graduate Diploma or Undergraduate Degree with a major in Personal Financial Planning (NZQA Level 7 or higher) or equivalent. Many applicants have one of the following, but other qualifications may qualify;
          – Massey Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Financial Planning)
          – Massey Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning and Advice)
          – ARA Graduate Diploma in Personal Financial Planning
          – ARA Bachelor of Applied Management in Personal Financial Planning
– Have a satisfactory ethics and training record

If you think you have met the criteria to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^CM professional, apply to join the CFP^CM Mark Pathway Programme. Please have a copy of your qualification ready to upload with your application so we can see if it meets requirements. If you have a transcript, please upload this as well as we may need to check you have completed certain required courses.

The CFP^CM Mark Pathway programme

– Become a member of Financial Advice NZ and apply to join the CFP^CM Mark Pathway Programme (you can join the pathway programme while you satisfy the core criteria)
– Have your experience and qualifications approved by the Financial Advice NZ Certification Committee once completed
– Successfully complete 12 months approved supervision under a CFP^CM Professional (or submit a Portfolio of Experience from the previous three years)
– Successfully complete a final assessment, currently the submission of a Comprehensive Financial Plan based on a Case Study issued by the Financial Advice NZ Certification Committee

Are you a student and not yet giving financial advice?

You can join Financial Advice NZ as a Student Associate for free while studying. You can learn more about the industry, engage with other financial advisers and gain the support you need to progress from student, to adviser, to a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^CM professional.

_{CFP^CMand are registered certification marks and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^CM is a common law certification mark owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. Financial Advice New Zealand is the marks licensing authority for the CFP Marks in New Zealand, through agreement with FPSB.}