FP Canada and the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto have partnered to launch a program that combines technical education in financial planning and business school instruction.
The Financial Planning Business Essentials Program, developed by FP Canada and delivered by Rotman, fulfills the technical education requirements for certification as a certified financial planner (CFP) professional and equips participants with professional and leadership skills, a release on Tuesday said.
“Program benefits include virtual instruction, applied case work, peer-based learning, instructor office hours and an immersive, two-day in-person experience” at Rotman at the end of the program, the release said. “Those who participate will learn to apply financial planning concepts in complex client situations while also deepening their technical and professional skills.”
An emailed statement from FP Canada said the program is “designed specifically for mid-career advisors and professionals stepping into leadership and practice ownership.” Participants will “learn in a small, discussion-driven cohort guided by Rotman faculty and CFP professionals, with live case-based sessions that translate technical knowledge into practice.”
In addition to financial planning disciplines, the program covers “emerging themes” such as ESG considerations, AI, data-driven decision-making and executive communication, Rotman’s website says.
Graduates gain access to Rotman’s executive education alumni network, FP Canada’s statement said.
The program begins in 2027, and virtual classes run on certain dates over a period of 11 months. Until Aug. 31, 2026, the program’s early bird fee is $8,400 and $10,500 thereafter.
FP Canada’s CFP certification program (technical and professional education) costs $4,050, as listed on the certification body’s website.
The Rotman program fee reflects executive education experience, “in line with comparable Rotman executive education offerings,” FP Canada’s statement said. “For those who prefer a self-directed path, technical education remains fully available directly through the FP Canada Institute, and our post-secondary partners across the country continue to offer excellent programs.”
In 2023, FP Canada took its education fully in-house, but several post-secondary institutions remain FP Canada educational partners, offering technical or full end-to-end education.
In autumn 2024, FP Canada dropped Advocis and the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning as technical education providers. In fiscal 2024–25, FP Canada’s revenue from education program fees was $2.9 million, up from $2.1 million the previous year — a 38% year-over-year increase. Since then, Business Career College (BCC) and the Canadian Securities Institute are also no longer approved as technical education providers for FP Canada designations. (BCC aside, all these organizations are approved as credentialing bodies under Ontario’s title protection regime for “financial planner.”)
Since 2022, FP Canada has generally required CFPs to have a post-secondary degree and three years of qualifying work experience, or have 10 years of qualifying work experience.
This year, FP Canada entered the exam prep market, targeting prospective investment dealer reps who are subject to the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization’s exam-based proficiency, which launched in January.