The Financial Planning Program prepares students for a career characterized by high employment satisfaction and rapid growth opportunities. In 2006, Money and Salary.com ranked financial advisors as third on their list of the 50 best jobs in America based on salary, job prospects, and career characteristics. There are several reasons for this. First, financial planning is based on a helping relationship. Financial planners strive to help their clients – individuals, families, and small businesses – to achieve personal success through financial success. As a result, the career offers the reward of personal fulfillment and the daily challenges of helping others manage their finances in an ever-changing economy. Second, financial planning offers significant job security as the projected demand and salary potential for financial planners is strong.

For students with mathematical, analytical, or problem-solving skills, who are interested in people and money, this could be the perfect career!

Topics of study include the process of financial planning, as well as insurance, investments, income tax, retirement planning, and estate planning. Graduates of the program, which is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), are qualified to take the Comprehensive CFP Certification Examination administered by the CFP Board.

Financial Planning program graduates may pursue career paths in the rapidly growing financial services industry. Opportunities includes financial planning firms as well as other companies that provide related products and services such as banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms; providers and employers offering employee benefit planning/consulting; or other private- or public-sector outlets that support financial management and literacy.

Virginia Tech does not award the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation. The right to use the marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM is granted by the CFP Board to those persons who have met its rigorous educational standards, passed the CFP Board Comprehensive CFP Certification Examination, satisfied a work experience requirement, and agreed to abide by the CFP Board Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Only persons registered with the CFP Board are permitted to sit for the CFP certification examination. CFP® certificates and licenses are issued only by the CFP Board.