Financial Planner
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
A financial planner develops personal financial plans for clients covering cash management, finances, insurance coverage, investments, retirement and estate planning, taxes and legal matters. They analyze clients' financial records, set goals and develop a financial strategy and advise clients on implementing the financial plan to help them achieve their goals. (National Occupational Classification)
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- O*NET Online> - U.S resource for occupational descriptions and information.
- OCCinfo by alis - Alberta-based occupational information
- Day in the life of a Financial Advisor - Job Postings magazine
- Designations and a Career in Financial Planning - Job Postings magazine
- A Day in the Life of a Financial Planner - The Princeton Review (U.S.)
- Financial Planner vs. Financial Advisor: What's the Difference? - Investopedia
- Credit Counselling Member Highlights - Credit Counselling Canada
- Career Mentor profile - UofM alumnus, Financial Planner / Investment Advisor
- Career Pathways - The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC)
- Financial Services Career Map and Job Finder Tool - Canadian Securities Institute
Education
A bachelor's degree in business administration, commerce, economics or a related field is usually required.
Various training programs and courses are offered by financial institutes and organizations, such as the Canadian Securities Institute, Institute of Canadian Bankers, Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts, Investment Funds Institute, Canadian Institute of Financial Planning, and Trust Companies Institute of Canada, and may be required by employers.
The designation Certified Financial Planner, awarded by the Financial Planners Standards Council of Canada, may be required.
(National Occupational Classification)
U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.
Exploring Other Education Options
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis: Job Market Report (Winnipeg region) - Gov. of Canada Job Bank
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - Job outlook for U.S.
Professional Associations
Professional associations may organize events and provide directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities may also be available: engage, learn and network!
- FP Canada - provides financial planning certification
- The Financial Advisors Association of Canada
- Retirement Planning Association of Canada
- Financial Planning Standards Council (U.S.)
- Association for Financial Counselling, Planning and Education (U.S.)
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (U.S.)
Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
- Canadian Bankers Association - members
- Credit Counselling Canada - Find a Counsellor
- Canadian Community Economic Development Network - members
- Federally Regulated Financial Institutions - list from Government of Canada
- Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association - members
- Investment Industry Association of Canada - member firms
- Responsible Investment Association - member list
- The Investment Funds Institute of Canada - Member directory
Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards.
Other links
These external resources may provide you with additional information about the occupation and opportunities to build experience:
- UMSU Student Club: UM Finance Organization
- UMSU Student Clubs: PennyDrops - student-run non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of financial education in Canada
- Manitoba Securities Commission
- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (U.S.)
- Article: The Best Designation for Advisors: CFP®, CFA, or CPA? - Investopedia
- GlobeAdvisor.com - info for financial advisors and planners from the Globe and Mail
- Advisor.ca - online magazine for investment advisors and professionals
- Sell Side Handbook: Investment Banking Landscape - overview of Canada's sectors: Investment Banking, Industry Groups, M&A, Debt Capital and Equity Capital
- Money Smart Manitoba - a resource provided by Manitoba Financial Services Agency (MFSA) to help Manitobans make informed financial decisions and protect themselves from a variety of financial frauds and scams