Milestones

1995

• Financial Planners Standards Council of Canada (later re-named Financial Planners Standards Council in 1998) incorporates as not-for-profit organization; Sets foundation for industry to support establishment of one common set of uniform professional standards for financial planners in Canada.
• Founding members were Donald Johnston and representatives from the Canadian Association of Financial Planners (CAFP) and the Life Underwriters Association of Canada (LUAC).
   

1996

• FPSC enters into agreement with owner of the international CFP certification marks, CFP Board of Standards, and becomes sole Canadian licensor of CFP™ professional certification marks.
• Founding President of FPSC Don Johnston rallies unprecedented support of prominent industry associations and educators for FPSC’s mission to lead development of financial planning profession through CFP certification.
• Membership now includes: Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), Society of Management Accountants of Canada (CMA), Credit Union of Canada (CUIC), Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA) and Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).
• CIFP, LUAC and CSI become first FPSC-approved education program providers offering courses qualifying individuals to write CFP™ Examination.
   

1997

• 3,000 CFPs in Canada! FPSC “Grandfathering” criteria recognizes individuals who, prior to availability of CFP certification in Canada, proved competency in and commitment to professionalism in financial planning.
• Wilfrid Laurier University becomes first university to offer FPSC-approved education program qualifying individuals to write CFP Examination.
• 251 candidates write first made-in-Canada English only CFP™ Examination in June; and 658 candidates write the second CFP Examination offered in both official languages in November.
   

1998

• FPSC implements new examination development process and conducts review of current syllabus ensuring relevancy and integrity of the CFP™ Examination. Revised syllabus to be implemented in 2001 examination sessions.
• More than 5,000 individuals licensed to use CFP certification marks in Canada!
• 7 education programs directly registered with FPSC qualify individuals to write CFP Examination and are offered by over sixty education providers.
• FPSC President Don Johnston featured as visionary for financial planning profession in Canada in inaugural edition of Advisor’s Edge – trade publication for financial advisors in Canada.
• FPSCC name officially changes to Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC)
   

1999

• FPSC hires first full-time Director of Communications to step-up marketing and public relations activities promoting CFP to all stakeholders.
• FPSC surveys Canadians providing first benchmark of consumer understanding of financial planning as a professional service.
• FPSC appoints Director of Standards Enforcement. Formalizes complaint review and disciplinary procedures.
• FPSC commissions independent Certification Audit and conducts first Job Analysis: Validate veracity of CFP Examination and ensures ongoing relevance of CFP Syllabus.
• CFP professionals in Canada hit 10,000 mark: Canadians for first time have reliable way of identifying and have access to individuals across Canada –from all sectors -- who meet a common set of professional financial planning standards including requirements in education, examination, experience and ethics.
   

2000

• CFP Board of Standards (owner of international CFP marks) grants FPSC permanent status as licensor of CFP marks in Canada.
• 14,000 CFP candidates enrolled in 85 programs (either directly registered with FPSC or offered through partnerships with national education providers) at institutions across Canada. Programs registered directly with FPSC total 12.
   

2001

• 13,000 CFP Professionals in Canada! More CFP professionals on a per capita basis in Canada than any other country – and represented in every sector in communities from coast to coast. Internationally, 70,000 professionals hold CFP certification through organizations in 17 countries.
• Past Chair of FPSC Board of Directors, John Carpenter, appointed to head task force to launch new independent international CFP organization that will focus on global expansion and recognition CFP certification.
• FPSC’s first “Quality of Work-life Survey” reveals “Helping People” is among top three reasons why CFP professionals enter profession.
   

2002

• FPSC-approved education programs now totaling 25 registered directly with FPSC and offered by education institutions, including colleges and universities, across Canada.
• FPSC hires Vice President, Education and Standards, to direct ongoing development of CFP competency standards, continuing education and experience requirements and new Practice Standards.
• FPSC expands marketing/communications program: Redesigns website averaging 50,000 visits per month by end of year; Expands pro-active media relations campaign and youth outreach programs.
• More than 55 percent of advisors working at the 14 largest planning firms in Canada hold the CFP credential and 10 per cent are currently working toward CFP, reports industry newspaper, Investment Executive, in its 2002 Planner Report Card.
   

2003

• Now more than 15,000 CFP professionals in Canada.
• FPSC introduces to industry draft of new CFP Financial Planning Practice Standards built on clear and concise definition of professional financial planning. Invites industry feedback.
• New international entity forms to oversee the global development and promotion of CFP certification. -- Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB). Canadian and Past-Chair of FPSC Board of Directors, John S. Carpenter, appointed as FPSB Chair for 2003. FPSC President Don Johnston voted Chair of the International Advisory Council to the FPSB.
• FPSC launches Professional Competency Analysis: Reassess CFP professional competency profile that sets standards for the profession, and guides development of CFP Examination and guidelines for financial planning curriculum.
• FPSC’s second Consumer Survey reveals Canadian’s knowledge of the importance of financial planning growing and clients are more satisfied with advisors who provide financial planning.
   

2004

• FPSC initiates establishment of the Foundation for Canadian Financial Planning Research & Education to encourage academic research in financial planning at Canada’s post-secondary institutions.
• FPSC develops "Money Talks. Are you Listening" campaign that places CFP professionals as experts on radio talk shows in three major Canadian cities. (Expands to 7 cities in 2005). Program marks launch of "CFP Brand Ambassador Campaign" that mobilizes volunteer CFP professionals as ambassadors for the profession.
   

2005

• CFP Financial Planning Practice Standards finalized.
• Hundreds of CFP Brand Ambassadors promoting value of financial planning in communities across Canada (radio shows, school presentations, trade shows, media interviews, corporate learning sessions, other).
• FPSC website attracts more than 2,000 new visitors each month and total monthly visits average over 60,000 – contributing to an increased appreciation and understanding of financial planning and the value of hiring a CFP professional.
• 30 education programs offering degrees, certificates and diplomas qualifying candidates to write CFP Examination are now directly registered with FPSC.
   

2006

• FPSC celebrates 10 years of CFP certification in Canada! There are now nearly 17,000 CFP professionals in Canada and more than 94,000 in 18 countries around the world.