How to Become a Certified Financial Planner in India

Did you know India has only about 2000 certified financial planners? For a country has big as ours, this is too small a number. Unfortunately the reason behind this is lack of knowledge. Very few people here have understood the importance of financial planning and how a professionally certified planner can ease our financial woes.

An average middle class Indian thinks that investment is all about making a couple of insurance, hesitantly dabbling in mutual fund investments and staying far away from the stock market. While there is nothing wrong is this approach, an expert will tell you that this is enough to secure your future.

There are many ways you can invest your money wisely but to do so you need to know the methods. However it is important we realise that not everyone can grasp the complexities of managing money which is why seeking professional help is so important.

How to Become a Certified Financial Planner in India?  
CFP certification in India is recognised by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). It is the nodal agency which oversees how CFPs are doing their jobs, who can be certified and whose certification must be revoked. Though they give the certification, you must enrol in an educational institute offering it as a course work. There are many emerging institutions that are now offering post-graduate diploma in financial planning.  

Eligibility to Become a CFP         
If you are seeking admission in one of the top CFP institute in India, you will need to know their eligibility criteria. There are two kinds of people who usually seek admissions to such courses – working professionals in the finance sector looking for official certification and fresh graduates who want to enter the industry equipped with the right degree.

Timeline of a CFP Course in India             
A CFP course can be completed within 6 months or else can take two to three years – both are recognised by the FPSB. The important thing to note here is where you seek admission. There are institutes where you can seek admission for a one-year PG diploma in financial planning while the same institute may also be offering you a two-year post graduate degree in financial planning.

For a working professional, a PG diploma in financial planning seems to be a good idea. But if you are a fresh graduate still seeking to hone your skills, then a full-fledged master’s program is more suited for you.

However, you must understand that what you will be taught over a span of two years will be much more in-depth and detailed. You learning graph will be deeper and your understanding will be better in a two-year’s program. On the other hand, with a one-year diploma course, you will be able to quickly become a CFP and start a new journey towards bettering your career.

Scope for CFPs in India 
Since there are few certified financial planners in India, the scope is immense. You can get into investment management, tax planning, estate and retirement planning, personal cash flow management and insurance planning. If you think you have the calibre to become a financial planner, get the required certification today!