CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^®

Guide your community to greater financial confidence

A woman smiles at in a classroom while attending a Terry College of Business Executive Education event

To best serve your clients as a financial planner, it’s essential to offer expert advice based on the latest financial fundamentals. Earning the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® designation shows your unwavering commitment to delivering the most reliable, well-informed guidance to your clients. This certification assures them that their financial future is in capable hands.

“It’s a fantastic time to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® because the need for it is significant. The curriculum the Terry program uses now is the best that’s out there.”
Andy Harbour
Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley CF

Program Overview

Obtaining your CFP^® certification through the University of Georgia sets you on a clear path to success as a financial planner. Whether you’re a recent graduate beginning your journey in the industry or a seasoned professional looking to enhance your credentials, this certification provides you with the knowledge and credibility needed to advance in the ever-evolving field of financial planning. In this program, you’ll gain a competitive edge and demonstrate your commitment to providing exceptional financial guidance.

With three different formats to choose from, including an immersive in-person program offered at the Terry Executive Education Center in the heart of Atlanta’s business district, you’ll be introduced to the entire suite of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® courses delivered in a flexible format that allows you to complete the program while balancing other professional commitments.

The Executive Education Program for CFP^® certification is a registered program of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® Board of Standards Inc. Upon successful completion of this certificate program. Students are eligible to apply for the CFP^® Certification Examination.

CFP Board owns the marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® and CFPR.

What You’ll Learn

Topics in the program include:

Fundamentals of Financial Planning

You will be introduced to the theory and practice of financial planning. Gain an overview of the financial planning process and receive guidance for managing a client’s risks while achieving goals through savings and investments.

Insurance Planning

You will be introduced to the foundational concepts of risk and insurance, both private and public. Gain insight into various institutions of insurance including medical, life, property, social security, disability and annuities.

Estate Planning

You will explore the challenges of effective estate planning raised by tax code changes. It begins with a consideration of the estate planning process and the documents of transfer.

Retirement Planning

This course covers determination of the retirement savings need and subsequently considers government and employer-sponsored methods of providing for one’s retirement.

Income Tax Planning

Focusing on the taxation of individuals, sole proprietorships, C-corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, and LLCs, this course provides you with detailed coverage of gross income inclusions and exclusions, deductions before and after adjusted gross income, and tax credits.

Investment Planning

Learn how to determine a client’s risk tolerance and select appropriate assets based on the assessed risk tolerance and the client’s goals.

Capstone Project

The program concludes with a Capstone/Case Study that helps students integrate their knowledge of financial planning subject areas and prepares them to take the CFP^® exam. Developing a complete financial plan for a fictional client is a highlight of the Capstone module, preparing students through a simulated learning experience in much the same way as student teaching prepares those in the field of education.

Who Should Attend

A professional in the brokerage, insurance, accounting, banking, or related industry wanting to develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a financial advisor
A graduate of a four-year degree in finance or a related field
Anyone interested in taking the National CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® (CFP^®) Certification Examination

Takeaways

Students will be able to sit for the CFP^® Exam, with a chance to obtain a highly-desired certification within the financial industry
Students will have met high professional standards and will adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism, and diligence when dealing with clients
Certificate of completion from the University of Georgia

In-Person Format

Sit for your CFP^® Exam faster with this robust format at the Terry Executive Education Center in Atlanta

Unlike other financial planner programs in Atlanta, the University of Georgia offers an in-person format that melds traditional learning with the convenience of independent study. The 12-month program includes interactive instructor-led sessions as well as independent reading and exams to cover all personal finance essentials. This format allows you to complete the educational requirements needed to sit for the CFP^® exam in just one year.

Understanding that a self-paced format is not the right fit for every learner, our in-person CFP^® program features a highly engaging live virtual component in addition to independent learning. The controlled pace of the program allows for built-in accountability.

Date:

September 9, 2025–September 26, 2026

Meets every other Tuesday from 6-9 p.m.

Program Fees:

Early bird: $4,750

Within a month of program start: $4,950

Per class: $995

Location:

Terry Executive Education Center
Atlanta, GA

Instructor

Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Bruce Starks is Faculty Director, Senior Instructor and Curriculum Developer at Greene Consulting Associates and is Founder and Lead Instructor in the Starks CFP® Examination Review in Atlanta.

Connect with Bruce on LinkedIn

Information Sheet

Send Me Information

Online Formats

Not sure if an in-person program is right for you? Our online options offer the CFP^® course suite in Instructor-Led and Self-Paced formats.

Self-Paced

The Self-Paced program offers the CFP^® board-certified program through an online interactive format that can be completed at your desired pace.

Instructor-Led

The Instructor-Led program includes all course content offered in the Self-Paced program and also includes a bi-weekly virtual session with a live instructor.

Learn more about CFP Online Formats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CFP® certification?

CFP® Certification is a nationally and internationally recognized professional certification offered through the CFP® Board. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. awards the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification to individuals who fulfill initial and ongoing certification requirements:

1. Satisfy the educational requirements
2. Minimum three years of work experience in a financial planning field
3. Pass the CFP® Certification Examination
4. Compliance with CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
5. Continuing education and recertification.

Why are the CFP® certification requirements important?

When selecting a financial planner, it’s important to remember that not all financial planners are “certified”. Anyone can call themselves a “financial planner”. Only those who have gone through the certification process by the CFP Board can display the CFP® certification marks. The CFP® certification provides a great sense of security by allowing only those who meet the requirements the right to use the CFP® certification marks.

What is required to obtain a CFP® certification?

To obtain the CFP® certification, there are the four E’s: Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics. Visit the CFB Board website for more information on certification requirements.

EDUCATION: In order to receive the CFP® designation, you have to master the topics covered in the following areas:

– Fundamentals/Insurance Planning
– Investment Planning
– Income Tax Planning
– Retirement Planning
– Estate Planning
– Financial Plan Development – Capstone

Bachelor’s Degree Requirement: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is required to obtain the CFP® designation. We do not require a degree to take our program.

EXAMINATION: CFP® practitioners must pass a comprehensive 7-hour CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format.

EXPERIENCE: Please visit the CFP Board website for more information on experience requirements.

ETHICS: CFP® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

Do you offer review courses?

The University of Georgia Terry College of Business does not offer an overall review for the national comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination, but nationally known companies offer reviews in Atlanta, including:

– Zahn intensive review uses a special classroom book designed by Ken Zahn.
– The Dalton Review comprehensive CFP® review.

Please note that there are fees associated with these programs and we do not endorse any particular program.

How much study time outside of class should I expect?

The answer to this question varies, however, we recommend that for every hour spent in the classroom prepare to spend 2-3 hours outside of the classroom studying.

Do you accept the HOPE Scholarship?

No, the HOPE Scholarship and other financial aid programs such as the Pell Grant or Stafford Loan are only available to students attending for-credit courses which lead to a degree or other academic credentials. Certificate programs are not eligible for these kinds of scholarships.

Do you offer financial assistance for VA funding or military personnel?

At this time, we are not able to offer financial assistance for military personnel.

Do I need to fill out the FAFSA?

No, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used only for degree programs.

Can I start a class while I am waiting for my loan to be approved?

No, payment has to be received before starting the program.

Join us for an Info Session

August 5, 2025, 12–1 p.m. EST via Zoom
August 5, 2025, 6-7 p.m. EST in person at TEEC
August 19, 2025, 6–7 p.m. EST via Zoom

Two men in business attire shake hands at a table,

Want to Learn More?

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® programs provided by the Terry College of Business Office of Executive Education.

Jordan King

jordanking@uga.edu (404) 467-5130

Associate Director of Open Enrollment Programs & Conferences, Executive Education