FPSC relies on, and is grateful to, CFP professionals who donate their time and effort to further FPSC's mission. We are currently seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and committees, and to assist with CFP Examination development in various capacities.
According to FPSC’s Disciplinary Rules & Procedures, Hearing Panels are required as part of FPSC’s disciplinary process for CFP professionals.
Hearing Panel volunteers must be current CFP Professionals and should have an understanding of FPSC's Code of Ethics. In addition, volunteers must be prepared to discuss issues and make informed decisions at hearings.
Please note that FPSC requires national representation for these panels, as hearings will be held across Canada.
CFP Examination Item Writers make an important and significant contribution to the CFP certification process through the development of examination items. FPSC seeks CFP professionals with extensive financial planning expertise, preferably with specialty knowledge in one or more financial planning component, an interest in education and examination standards, exceptional writing and editing skills, and a commitment to enhancing their own skills, to contract with FPSC to create multiple-choice questions for the CFP Examination.
In 2007, we will hold several two-day Item Writing Workshops across Canada where invited participants will receive training and begin developing CFP Examination questions in a strictly controlled environment. Interested participants are invited to apply to FPSC for selection as an item writer, and upon approval will be invited to participate in one of those local training sessions. FPSC will contract with those invited writers to provide items throughout the year for which the writers will receive a nominal payment and continuing education credits.
If you are interested in becoming an item writer, please submit a covering letter and current resumé or CV and include the following details:
writing experience;
current job responsibilities;
accomplishments in the field of financial planning and specialist expertise;
any previous experience in authoring examination questions;
current or previous committee work; and
professional references.
Applicants may be asked to participate in evaluation exercises as part of the selection process. Contact Paulette Anthony at panthony@cfp-ca.org.
Panel of Examiners
The Panel of Examiners is an independent standing committee of the FPSC Board of Directors that develops the CFP Examination and related policies in accordance with generally accepted measurement standards, which ensure fairness to all candidates. The Panel of Examiners vets examination items, approves the final CFP Examination and, with assistance from psychometric and statistical consultants, determines the pass mark for each examination.
CFP professionals interested in an appointment to the Panel of Examiners should possess the following qualities:
the ability to judge the entry-level knowledge and skills required for the practice of financial planning;
a recognized interest in education and the profession;
a position of responsibility within his/her chosen career at a minimum of a senior managerial, or equivalent, level;
the ability to work well with others;
the ability to make a time commitment of no less than three years; and
recognition of the confidential nature of the CFP Examination and Panel of Examiners activities.
For each administration of the CFP Examination, members of the Panel of Examiners are expected to actively participate in the development of the Examination. Each development cycle includes the review and submission of comments regarding the examination content, case studies and questions, participation in four conference calls to review and discuss the examination content, attendance at a full-day final content sign-off meeting and participation in two post-examination conference calls related to the determination of a pass mark. Membership on the Panel of Examiners meets the full continuing education CFP technical credit requirement for each year in which the CFP professional serves. Members also receive an honorarium for their participation. Applicants may be asked to participate in evaluation exercises as part of the selection process.
The development cycle for each CFP Examination includes a field test of a draft of the CFP Examination. The main objective of the field test is to have the draft Examination written under Examination conditions to ensure it can be completed in the allotted time and to ensure the information presented is clear and concise. Individuals are not expected to study in advance, but will be expected to comment on the Examination in a round-table discussion with other CFP professionals and an FPSC staff member following the field test. Participation in field testing earns four continuing education credits and an honorarium. This opportunity is available only to CFP professionals in the Greater Toronto Area.
FPSC seeks CFP professionals to act as invigilators for the CFP Examination at various locations across Canada. At many examination centres, individuals will work as part of a team to maintain the security and integrity of the CFP Examination process and ensure that all policies and procedures are adhered to. Invigilators receive an honorarium for their participation.
Find a Planner is a web database of CFP professionals and their practice profiles, available as a public search and searchable by location at www.cfp-ca.org/public/public_findaplanner.asp.
The FPSC Board of Directors is comprised of one nominee from each of the six supporting organizations (Advocis, CMA-Canada, CGA-Canada, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, Canadian Institute of Financial Planning and the Credit Union Institute of Canada), four senior directors (Chair, Vice Chair, Past Chair and FPSC President) and four Independent Directors.
The FPSC Board of Directors provides leadership and develops strategic goals that proactively consider future challenges and opportunities relating to FPSC's mission to benefit the public by leading the evolution of the financial planning profession in Canada through the development, enforcement and promotion of the highest competency and ethical standards in financial planning as defined by individuals who have earned the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation.
When considering nominations for the FPSC Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee will assess candidates against the FPSC Board Competency Profile. Candidates will also be required to complete an assessment template that will help to identify specific competencies that they possess. These documents can be accessed here:
If you are interested in serving on the FPSC Board of Directors as an Independent Director, please contact Heather Terrence at hterrence@cfp-ca.org.
Secondary School Outreach
Description: Speak to secondary school students in classroom settings about earning the CFP credential and working in the financial planning industry and/or about financial planning (goal setting, budgeting, credit, student loans, car payments, etc.). These visits are arranged by FPSC and/or by the volunteering CFP professional.
Time commitment: approximately 1-2 hours per classroom visit, number of opportunities depends on regional demand.
FPSC Training required: Volunteers must take FPSC Introduction to Brand Ambassador Training, CFP Career Recruitment Training and/or Educating Youth Training offered through webinars (approximately 2 hours each).
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Post-secondary School Career Recruitment
Description: Attend career fairs at local colleges and universities to promote the attainment of the CFP credential and professional financial planning as a career. Responsibilities may include setting up the booth space, speaking one-on-one with students and distributing FPSC marketing materials.
Time Commitment: Events occur annually and volunteers are asked to man the FPSC booth for a minimum of three hours.
FPSC Training required: Volunteers must take FPSC Introduction to Brand Ambassador Training, and CFP Career Recruitment through webinars (approximately 2 hours each).
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Consumer Book Reviews
Description: Write a critical review of a financial planning related book written for consumers.
Time Commitment: Consumer financial planning books average 150 to 250 pages in length, and written reviews are expected to be between 250-500 words. The number of reviews written are at the discretion of the volunteer and based on FPSC's needs. Reviews will be posted on FPSC's website on the Learning Centre page.
FPSC training required: While formal training is not offered, a content and style guide is provided, and FPSC will edit submissions for clarity and grammar.
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Professional Book Reviews
Description: Write a critical review of a book written for financial services professionals.
Time Commitment: Average financial planning books written for industry professionals are 150-250 pages in length and generally contain technical content that may require in depth analysis. Reviews are expected to be between 250-500 words. The number of books you read and reviews submitted are at the discretion of the volunteer and based on FPSC needs. Write a critical review that will be posted on the Professional Knowledge Centre located on FPSC's website.
FPSC training required: While formal training is not offered, a content and style guide is provided and FPSC will edit for clarity and grammar.
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Financial Planning and Practice Management Software Reviews
Description: "Test" software programs currently on the market that may be of interest to professional financial planners. Write a critical review that will be posted on the Professional Knowledge Centre located on FPSC's website.
Time Commitment: Depends on the complexity of the program and its functions. Reviews are expected to be between 250-500 words. The number of software programs reviewed is at the discretion of the volunteer and based on FPSC needs.
FPSC Training required: While FPSC does not provide training, basic understanding of how to load software and navigate its resources is expected. FPSC also provides a content and style guide and will edit for clarity and grammar.
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Financial Planning Seminars for Adults
Descriptions: Visit local businesses to present financial planning information sessions to company employees or community groups.
Time Commitment: The visits are usually 1-2 hours in length, and preparation for the presentation varies from 1to 3 hours.
FPSC training required: Volunteers must complete FPSC Introduction to Brand Ambassador Training and Effective Financial Planning Presentations offered through webinars (approximately 4 hours in total).
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Online "Learning Centre" Advisory Committee
Description: Review articles submitted by CFP professionals for FPSC online Learning Centre to ensure that the information provided is accurate and appropriate. Committee members are also asked to suggest topics for future articles and to determine the "Feature Article of the Month."
Time Commitment: Articles are received and posted to the Learning Centre on a monthly basis. Generally, 3 to 5 articles are reviewed per month.
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Online "Ask An Expert"
Description: Respond to consumer e-mailed questions (vetted by FPSC) about financial planning related topics. The planner's response and the original question are also posted on the FPSC website Ask an Expert page.
Time Commitment: Volunteers are asked to commit to a 6-months stretch during which they may need to respond to approximately 12 questions.
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
Online "Career Centre"
Description: Respond to potential CFP candidates e-mailed questions (vetted by FPSC) about working in the financial planning industry. The planner's response and the original question are posted on the FPSC website "Career Centre."
Time Commitment: "Experts" are asked to commit to 6 months since questions from the public are infrequent. If the demand for responses increases 4 month time commitments would be offered.
Training: None
If you would like to be considered for a volunteer opportunity please update your Professional Profile on FPSC Online Services. Please note you will only be contacted when an opportunity in your area becomes available.
CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and are certification marks owned outside the U.S. by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB). Financial Planners Standards Council is the marks licensing authority for the CFP marks in Canada, through agreement with FPSB.
are certification marks