ChFC®
Chartered Financial Consultant®
Best For
Financial professionals desiring comprehensive financial planning knowledge.
Timing
<18 Months
Format
Study the curriculum at your own pace, engage through virtual office hours, and receive support from the nation’s preeminent retirement planning thought leaders. Learn about Personal Pathway®
100% Virtual
Tuition
Starting at
$955/course
Eight-course package available for $6,395
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Experience the ChFC® Program
Financial Planning for Today’s Complexities
Join Program Director Chet R. Bennetts, PhD, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CLF® and Assistant Provost Elizabeth Pearsall, PhD for a look inside the ChFC® Program!
ChFC® at a Glance
Admissions Requirements
There are no prerequisite courses required to begin the ChFC® Program (other than a high school diploma or equivalent), but at least three years of experience in financial planning or a related profession is required to use the designation.
To receive the ChFC® designation, you must:
- Successfully complete the eight required courses and final exam
- Agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures
Participation in the annual Professional Recertification Program (PRP) is required to maintain the designation.
Tuition & Scholarships
Program tuition can be paid on a per-course basis, or packaged together at a reduced rate. Tuition covers your course fees, final exam, and course materials, including:
- Downloadable content for easy following
- Video lectures and expert interviews
- Practice exams and assessment questions
Individual course: $955
Case-study course (HS 333): $1,175
Contemporary Applications in Financial Planning (HS 347): $1,695
Eight-course package: $6,395 (additional packages available for review during enrollment)
Scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify, learn more here.
What You'll Learn
The ChFC® Program offers comprehensive education in the essentials of financial planning, including insurance, taxation, retirement, and estate planning. It also addresses advanced areas such as behavioral finance, non-traditional family structures, and small business planning.
Your learning outcomes include:
- The basics of financial planning and risk management
- Income tax strategies for individuals, small businesses, corporations, and more
- Retirement planning, investing, and estate planning strategies for success
- Special needs planning, gift planning and inheritance, insurance, and more
Course Delivery
Study the eight-course curriculum at your own pace, engage through virtual office hours, and receive support from the nation’s preeminent academics and thought leaders and our academic advising team.
Our best-in-class program features:
- Focus on modern and niche financial planning to broaden your professional and practice reach
- Elite faculty of nationally-recognized academics and researchers in financial planning
- Modern e-learning with Personal Pathway®, allowing you to choose a flexible or more structured learning model
Why Become a ChFC®?
15%
Higher growth in client assets under management (AUM) than advisors with no designations.1
75%
Higher growth in client retention than advisors with no designations.1
50,000+
Professionals have earned the well-recognized, well-regarded ChFC® designation.
The ChFC® is Right For You If:
Inside the ChFC® Program
Courses to Complete
Eight
Typical Completion Time
<18 Months
HS 300 Fundamentals of Financial Planning
Provides an overview of the financial planning process.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the steps of the financial planning process
- Differentiate between various communication techniques used by advisors
- Utilize the various financial planning approaches to provide actionable recommendations
- Review personal financial statements and perform financial statement analysis
- Build a foundation in quantitative techniques and basic economic concepts
- Apply education planning and funding techniques to help clients achieve their goals
- Review and apply the ethics of personal financial planning within various frameworks
HS 311 Fundamentals of Insurance Planning
Focuses on the role of planning for risk management needs.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of risk management
- Compare and contrast the different health insurance options available
- Differentiate among the various types of life insurance
- Discuss principles of disability income insurance, long-term care, and annuities
- Identify the sources and uses of homeowners, property, and liability insurance
- Identify sources of identity theft and utilize debt management techniques
- Demonstrate an understanding of social insurance programs like Social Security
HS 321 Fundamentals of Income Taxation
Examines the federal income tax system with particular emphasis on the taxation of individuals.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of federal income taxation
- Compare taxation of income generated from personal and investment activities
- Explain the taxation of income and expenses generated from different activities
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of deductions against adjusted gross income
- Identify different types of tax credits and tax deductions
- Demonstrate an understanding of how basis is determined
- Identify the tax advantages that certain types of business assets receive
- Explain how provisions in the tax code allow for tax avoidance and tax deferral
- Explain the complexities of the passive activity loss rules and alternative minimum tax
- Compare and contrast the tax consequences of distributions from business entities
HS 326 Planning for Retirement Needs
Focuses on helping businesses and individuals plan for retirement.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Analyze the factors affecting retirement planning
- Understand the fundamental principles of qualified plans
- Compare and contrast the various types of qualified pension plans
- Compare and contrast profit sharing plans, stock bonus plans, and ESOPs
- Understand the tax treatment of distributions from qualified plans
- Describe the steps involved to manage a qualified plan
- Discuss the advantages, limitations, and taxation of IRAs and SEPs
- Compare and contrast SIMPLE, 403(b), and 457 retirement plans
- Discuss the taxation of nonqualified plans and Social Security claiming strategies
- Compare and contrast employee fringe and group benefits
HS 328 Investments
Learn about the principles of investments and their application to financial planning.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the institutional framework surrounding investments
- Measure investment returns using various methodologies
- Apply the modern portfolio theory framework to the task of managing portfolios
- Evaluate portfolio performance using attribution and ratio analysis
- Understand how fixed income securities function
- Compare and contrast the various types of equity securities
- Evaluate the factors that can affect the performance expectations of equity securities
- Identify the features of valuing securities using absolute and relative valuation models
- Identify the features of investment companies and evaluate fund selection techniques
- Compare and contrast the features of derivative securities
HS 330 Fundamentals of Estate Planning
Covers various aspects of estate and gift tax planning processes.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the steps in the estate planning and probate processes
- Identify and describe the basic estate planning documents
- Compare and contrast the most common types of property titling
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of the gift tax system
- Identify and classify different trust arrangements
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of the generation-skipping transfer tax system
- Compare and contrast advanced charitable planning strategies
- Understand and apply the fundamentals of the estate tax
- Demonstrate the advantages of using life insurance in estate planning
HS 333 Personal Financial Planning: Comprehensive
Applies students' knowledge and skill set in personal financial planning techniques to a comprehensive case study.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Bring together elements from all of the previous foundation courses to synthesize and apply knowledge of the financial planning process, insurance, taxation, investments, retirement, and estate planning through the delivery of a comprehensive financial plan
HS 347 Contemporary Applications in Financial Plan
Examines the unique challenges associated with comprehensive financial planning through case studies on all aspects of planning.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Construct financial plans encompassing: estate planning; special needs; divorce; business succession; behavioral finance; financial plan development; and retirement planning
The level of detail in The College’s ChFC® courses is impressive. I found the courses relevant, engaging, and challenging, and they improved my understanding of the financial planning challenges my clients face daily and the solutions they need.
James Crunden, ChFC®
The ChFC® sets you apart as a professional. It lets your clients know that you are in it for the long run. It tells the world that you are interested in being the best.
Thomas J. O'Haren, ChFC®, CLU®
The ChFC® gives you more professional credibility, even with other advisors, CPAs, and attorneys. When they see the designation, they know you've done your homework and you know what you're talking about.
Daniel A. White, ChFC®
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Which Program Is Right For You?
Save time with a quick view of how the ChFC® Program compares to our CFP® Certification Education Program.
Scroll left to right to compare
Which Program Is Right For You?Save time with a quick view of how the ChFC® Program compares to our CFP® Certification Education Program. |
|
|
|---|---|---|
ISSUING ORGANIZATION |
CFP Board of Standards |
The American College of Financial Services |
NUMBER OF COURSES |
7 |
8 (CFP® Certification Education Program + one additional course) |
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS |
Bachelor’s degree |
High school diploma or equivalent |
EDUCATION LEVEL |
Foundational financial planning knowledge |
Comprehensive planning knowledge for diverse client needs |
TUITION |
$5,395 (CFP® Certification Education Program) |
$6,395 (full program) |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM |
Yes (CFP Board conducts three times annually) |
Not required |
GOVERNANCE |
CFP Board Fiduciary Standard |
The American College Code of Ethics |
Structured or Flexible? You Decide
Personal Pathway®
You get to decide which learning model works best for you. Choose from a more structured study path guiding you from week to week or a flexible learning format allowing you to study at your own pace and potentially take your exam faster.
Learn from the Leaders in Financial Planning Today
Chet R. Bennetts
PhD, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CLF®
Assistant Professor, Financial Planning, Larry R. Pike Chair for Insurance and Investments, and Program Director, ChFC® and CFP® Certification Education Programs
Read Bio
Michael Finke
PhD, CFP®
Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security
Read Bio
Steve Parrish
JD, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®
Professor of Practice and a Scholar in Residence at the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services
Read Bio
Thomas M. Brinker, Jr.
JD, LLM, PFS/CPA, AEP®, ChFC®
Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Special Needs Planning
Read Bio
Sophia Duffy
JD, CPA, AEP®
Associate Professor of Business Planning and Program Director, Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program
Read Bio
Zipporah Evania
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, CAP®, RICP®, CLTC®, WMCP®
Adjunct Professor of Retirement Planning
Read Bio
James Karthaus
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MA
Assistant Professor of Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Education and ChFC® Programs
Read Bio
Mark McLennon
JD, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, CPA/PFS
Assistant Professor of Tax and Estate Planning, Clark/Bardes Chair in Retirement Planning and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Read Bio
Kimberly Turner
PhD, MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CLTC®
Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning
Read Bio
Steven H. Steidinger
MBA, FLMI®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®
Adjunct Professor, ChFC® Program
Read Bio
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Chet R. Bennetts
PhD, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CLF®
Assistant Professor, Financial Planning, Larry R. Pike Chair for Insurance and Investments, and Program Director, ChFC® and CFP® Certification Education Programs
Read Bio
Michael Finke
PhD, CFP®
Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security
Read Bio
Steve Parrish
JD, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®
Professor of Practice and a Scholar in Residence at the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services
Read Bio
Thomas M. Brinker, Jr.
JD, LLM, PFS/CPA, AEP®, ChFC®
Adjunct Professor of Taxation and Special Needs Planning
Read Bio
Sophia Duffy
JD, CPA, AEP®
Associate Professor of Business Planning and Program Director, Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program
Read Bio
Zipporah Evania
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, CAP®, RICP®, CLTC®, WMCP®
Adjunct Professor of Retirement Planning
Read Bio
James Karthaus
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MA
Assistant Professor of Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Education and ChFC® Programs
Read Bio
Mark McLennon
JD, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, CPA/PFS
Assistant Professor of Tax and Estate Planning, Clark/Bardes Chair in Retirement Planning and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
Read Bio
Kimberly Turner
PhD, MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CLTC®
Adjunct Professor of Financial Planning
Read Bio
Steven H. Steidinger
MBA, FLMI®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®
Adjunct Professor, ChFC® Program
Read Bio
There’s Even More to Explore
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ChFC® Program FAQs
The Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation is a financial planning certification meant to provide a strong foundation for a financial advisor career. The ChFC® designation supplies insights and knowledge on the basics of financial planning and risk management, tax strategies for individuals, small businesses, and corporations, retirement, investment, and estate planning, special needs planning, and more. These financial planning courses will help you become a financial planner who can serve a myriad of clients with different needs and from different backgrounds.
To become a financial planner with the ChFC® designation, you must complete the eight-course program, including all associated classwork and a final exam for each course. These online financial planning courses make earning the ChFC® certification easier to tailor to your busy schedule.
The Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation is comparable to the CFP® certification; however, ChFC® features deeper insights than the average CFP® certification education and an added practical application component to ensure professionals can use the knowledge they gain immediately. In addition, the eight-course ChFC® designation program makes financial advisors eligible to sit for their CFP® exam. For those without a four-year degree, the ChFC® is a valuable foundational financial planning certification, as the CFP Board requires you to have a bachelor’s degree to take the CFP® exam. Typical students can complete the program in 18 months or less.
In conjunction with FUSE Research Network, The American College of Financial Services found in its 2024 Designation Outcomes Study that the ChFC® designation greatly assists a financial advisor’s career with foundational knowledge for financial consulting. Over a three-year period, professionals who earned this financial planning certification reported 75% higher growth in client retention, 49% higher growth in their number of clients, and 32% higher growth in earnings than professionals without a designation.
You only need a high school diploma or the equivalent to begin the program. However, in order to be awarded and use the designation, you must have at least three years of experience in financial planning or a related profession. For more information, view Admissions Requirements above.
For those holding the CFP® certification, it’s easy to transfer your existing credit to our programs and enable an accelerated path to ChFC®. By filling out our Transfer of Credit (TOC) form, students may complete the ChFC® Program with only one additional course: HS 347. You can complete the TOC form in My Learning Hub.
You will have 10 weeks to complete all course requirements then a four-week window to schedule, prepare for and take your exam.
Studying in the Chartered Financial Consultant®(ChFC®) and CFP® Certification Education Programs with The College lets you work toward two prestigious professional achievements simultaneously – saving you time and money to maximize your knowledge ROI. The programs share a common core curriculum with the structure and flexibility of our Personal Pathway® learning experience to allow you to choose your path to success. Learn more about the benefits of taking both programs.
While The College’s CLU®, ChFC®, and CFP® Certification Education Programs offer different educational outcomes and areas of specialization, shared courses make it easy to grow in expertise and work toward completing multiple programs at once. The three programs share several common core courses, and all electives available in the CLU® Program are also part of the CFP® Certification Education Program and ChFC® Program. By earning the CLU® designation, you are six courses away from earning your ChFC® and five courses away from completing the CFP® Certification Education Program. Use this comparison chart to learn more about how you can expand your opportunities most efficiently.
Take the Next Step
As a ChFC®, you’ll go above and beyond foundational financial planning knowledge, delivering sound guidance and distinguishing yourself with comprehensive and applied planning strategies to serve a wide variety of client needs.
1 FUSE Research Network. The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2024. Based on reported three-year growth.