Financial Planners Professional Community

Ask Us Anything!
Curious about the Financial Planning field? 💬 Drop your questions in the comments below! Whether you're just starting out or deep into your journey, we want to hear from you. Throughout the month, our team will be answering select questions in upcoming discussion posts. Let's learn together! ✨
Death, Taxes, and This Class: Only One Is Fun
One of the courses I currently oversee is PFPL 530, Income Tax Planning. This is the tax planning course in our master’s program. It uses many of the same materials that are found in our CFP® tax course. However, instead of offering students multiple choice questions, graduate students are given case studies, then asked to…
🎓Did You Know? We Support CPAs Too!
The College for Financial Planning® – a Kaplan Company isn’t just about financial planning—we also offer Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for Accountants! 🧮💼 Kaplan Financial Education is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of CPE on the National Registry of…
What part of the business cycle do you think the U.S. is in currently?
Do you think we are still in an expansion phase? For a start, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) sets peaks and troughs for the business cycle and the last declared peak was February 2020 and the last trough was April 2020, both declared in July of 2021! Recessions are declared after the fact, so we feel the…
🎉 Welcome to Your Alumni Community! 🎉
We’re so glad you’re here! As a valued graduate of the College for Financial Planning®, this exclusive Alumni Community was created just for you—a dynamic online space to connect, collaborate, and grow with fellow financial planning professionals from across the country. Whether you’re navigating a challenging client…

PFPL 522 is one of my favorite courses because it deals with the psychology of money
In PFPL522, we move beyond the numbers and dive deep into the human side of finance. This course equips students to understand why people make the financial decisions they do—and how planners can help guide better ones. Financial planning isn’t just about optimizing portfolios—it’s about understanding people. PFPL522…
PFPL536; Navigating Tax Planning Techniques for High-Income Taxpayers
This course provides students with a strong background in the application of income tax concepts, calculations, and planning techniques specific to middle and higher-income taxpayers. Key areas to review for the final are: Adjusted Gross Income. Analyze a client situation to compute adjusted gross income. Itemized…
Why take PFPL 650 in the Client Psychology track?
Are you ready to take your client relationships to the next level? I’m excited to tell you about PFPL 650, Client Psychology and Communication, a graduate-level course designed to deepen your understanding of how clients think, feel, and make financial decisions. This isn’t just theory—we explore real client behaviors,…
Master’s Monday Insights: Want to Join an Ongoing Conversation? Jump In!
There are already some great discussions happening in the community—don’t be shy! Whether you have a question, want to share a comment, or just connect, joining a thread is a fantastic way to engage with fellow students and faculty. 👇 Check out these active posts and drop a comment to share your thoughts or ask a question.…
🎒📚 National Back to School Prep Day: Fall 2025 is Here! 🍂✨
Whether you’re gearing up to return to your Master’s courses, starting CFP coursework or exam prep, beginning a new designation, or helping a child get ready for their big school year, this season is all about fresh starts and exciting opportunities! It’s the perfect time to set goals, organize your study space, and get…
Understanding the Financial Planning Process: A Core Foundation for Every Planner
One of the most essential foundations in financial planning is a thorough understanding of the financial planning process. This process is more than a checklist—it’s a structured, repeatable framework that enables planners to deliver ethical, client-focused, and results-driven advice in a variety of scenarios. At its core,…
The Value of a Professional Designation
A few years ago, I conducted some research and wrote a paper that showed that people who were successful in one of the professional designation courses offered at The College for Financial Planning were also highly likely to be successful in the CFP® program. This demonstrates the value of a designation in preparing people…
🎧 Podcast Picks for CFP® Exam Prep
Struggling to find study time? Turn your commute, workout, or walk into review time! Here are some podcast episodes and series that can help you reinforce key concepts and stay motivated: 🔹 Top CFP® Study Podcasts to Bookmark 1. BIF Bites Podcast – Short episodes covering financial planning topics, great for reviewing…
Master’s Monday Insights: Welcome & Introductions
Welcome to the Master’s Program! We’re so excited to have you here as part of our community. ✨ Introduce Yourself: Tell us a little about you! Where are you from, and what inspired you to take this next step in your education journey? 📍 Where Are You Studying From? Let’s see where everyone is joining from! Share your…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Financial Planning
Financial planning has become more multifaceted than ever before. With a host of investment options, changing economic landscapes, and personal financial goals, clients are seeking state-of-the-art solutions to manage their finances successfully. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is stepping in to transform financial planning.…
🎓 CFP® Exam Registration – Don’t Miss the Deadline!
Planning to sit for the November 2025 CFP® Exam? Make sure you're registered on time! 🖥️ How to Register: It is each student’s responsibility to create an account and register for the exam directly through the CFP Board at www.cfp.net. 💸 Early Bird Deadline: Take advantage of the discounted registration rate by registering…
FINA 575: Financial Modeling
In the world of corporate finance, decisions aren’t made on intuition—they’re made on models. Financial modeling is the language of strategic decision-making, allowing analysts and executives to quantify assumptions, evaluate alternatives, and optimize outcomes. At the College for Financial Planning, our FINA575: Corporate…