Foundations in Financial Planning℠

How does the Foundations Program work?

The College’s professional designation programs all feature open enrollment. You can enroll and begin whenever you like. While we offer periodic live classes, these are completely optional and are available to all students at no additional charge.

When you enroll you will receive immediate access to the College’s exclusive online student portal. Within this portal you will find copies of your written study materials, streaming video lectures, downloadable MP3’s, interactive quizzes, and even access to live classes when they are in session. You will also be able to contact your professor with questions or issues.

All of these things are included with your enrollment and we pride ourselves on not charging for additional 3rd party books, online functionality, access to professors, etc.

Students must successfully pass the course’s single final examination within one year of their enrollment date. Final exams can be administered at our approved testing centers: PSI, Prometric, or ISO Quality Testing. The first examination is included as part of your enrollment. Subsequent examination attempts are $100 each. Students must attempt the exam within six months of enrollment and have one year to complete the program.


Course Topics:

Module 1. The Financial Planning Process

• Chapter 1. Personal Financial Planning Defined
• Chapter 2. How Financial Planning Helps Individuals Achieve Their Goals
• Chapter 3. Steps in the Personal Financial Planning Process
• Chapter 4. Knowledge Required for Appropriate Analysis & Plan Creation
• Chapter 5. Ethical & Regulatory Issues & the Financial Planning Professional

Module 2. Cash Management & the Use of Debt

• Chapter 1. Financial Statements
• Chapter 2. Financial Situation Analysis
• Chapter 3. Credit and Debt
• Chapter 4: Budgeting

Module 3. The Time Value of Money

• Chapter 1. Basic Calculator Functions and Terminology
• Chapter 2. Calculator Keystrokes Relating to Time Value of Money
• Chapter 3. The Importance of Rate Assumptions

Module 4. Insurance Basics & Property Insurance

• Chapter 1. Principles of Risk Management
• Chapter 2. Homeowners Insurance
• Chapter 3. Automobile & Umbrella Liability Insurance

Module 5. Life & Health Insurance

• Chapter 1. Life Insurance
• Chapter 2. Health Care Plans
• Chapter 3. Disability Income Insurance
• Chapter 4. Long-Term Care Insurance
• Chapter 5. Annuities

Module 6. Investment Basics & Strategies

• Chapter 1. Asset Classes
• Chapter 2. Types and Measurements of Risk
• Chapter 3. Mutual Funds and ETFs
• Chapter 4: Investments and Financial Planning

Module 7. Retirement Planning

• Chapter 1. Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Retirement Planning
• Chapter 2. Sources of Retirement Income
• Chapter 3. Social Security
• Chapter 4. Financial Planning for Retirees

Module 8. Tax Implications of Financial Decisions

• Chapter 1. The Variety of Taxes Payable by an Individual
• Chapter 2. The Federal Tax Calculation on Form 1040
• Chapter 3. Tax Consequences of Selling Property
• Chapter 4. How Are Employee Benefits and Compensation Taxed?
• Chapter 5. Keeping the Proper Records
• Chapter 6. Tax Planning Strategies

Module 9. Estate Planning

• Chapter 1. Estate Planning Terminology
• Chapter 2. Estate Transfer Tools
• Chapter 3. Estate Transfer Expenses
• Chapter 4. Incapacity Planning

Case Study & Master Index

• Chapter 1. Getting to Know Your Clients
• Chapter 2. The Hahns’ Goals and Objectives
• Chapter 3. Exercises
• Chapter 4. Answer Key