Investment Planning Certificate

Testing your investment planning knowledge

The Investment Planning Certificate Exam will test your comprehension of investment planning concepts and strategies outlined in the AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Body of Knowledge.

The exam is offered only as an online proctored exam (via webcam) taken virtually 24/7 on your own computer. By passing this exam, you'll receive the Investment Planning Certificate digital badge to display on your website or email. If you are a CPA, you'll be one certificate closer to completion of the PFS Credential Certificate pathway.

If you previously took this exam and did not pass, you can retake the exam a minimum of 30 days after your last attempt.

If you need additional learning on the topics on this exam, you can purchase the Investment Planning Learning. You can save when you bundle the Investment Planning Learning and Investment Planning Certificate Exam.

Exam Scheduling

Five to eight business days after receiving your purchase confirmation email, we will send out the Notice to Schedule (NTS) email enabling you to schedule the specific day and online proctor time to take the exam any time over the next 12 months.

PAYMENT OF THE EXAM FEE SERVES AS CONFIRMATION THAT YOU HAVE READ THE REGISTRATION & SCHEDULING TERMS & CONDITIONS.

The AICPA must have the most recent contact information and email address for each registrant as their email and mailing address will be used for all communications regarding this exam. Log in to view or update your information.

A cornerstone of personal financial planning services

The Investment Planning Learning program is an informative and engaging learning experience that will enhance your knowledge of investment planning.

Updated for recent legislation affecting many areas of investments, including the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0, Investment Planning Learning includes eight courses covering steps in the investment planning life cycle, along with a discussion of planning for and funding higher education. If you are seeking a thorough understanding of investment planning as outlined in the AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Body of Knowledge, this program is for you.

This program includes the following courses:

• The Investment Planning Process
• Investment Data Gathering and Analysis
• Creating the Investment Policy Statement
• Portfolio Management
• Investment Vehicles and Strategies
• Investment Monitoring and Updating
• Integrating Investments with the Financial Plan
• Education Planning

About the Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program

Investment Planning Learning has been developed as part of the Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program, which is a series of certificates covering the core areas of personal financial planning, including retirement, estate, risk management and insurance, and investment planning, and how tax planning relates to each area.

You can earn the Investment Planning Certificate digital badge by passing the Investment Planning Certificate Exam. The Investment Planning Certificate provides an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and demonstrate competence in that specific discipline. You can save when you purchase the Investment Planning Learning and Exam as a bundle.

Who Will Benefit

CPAs, financial planners, and qualified professionals with basic knowledge of, and interest in, personal financial planning.

Key Topics

• The risk management planning process
• Needs analysis and insurance contracts
• Life insurance
• Annuities
• Personal risk insurance
• Group insurance and other employee benefits
• Education planning

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the different phases of the investment planning process.
• Identify the types of client data necessary to develop an effective investment plan.
• Recognize the essential elements that form an effective investment policy statement.
• Determine the responsibilities of the personal financial planner in selecting an investment adviser.
• Identify different investment vehicles and their associated risk levels.
• Analyze a client’s investment performance and goal achievement as part of an updating and monitoring engagement.
• Determine how to integrate investment planning with other areas of personal financial planning.
• Determine the information that must be gathered to develop an education plan.