Financial Planning

   What is a Financial Planner?

A Financial Planner is a practicing professional who helps people deal with various personal financial issues through proper planning, which includes: cash flow management, education planning, retirement planning, investment planning, risk management and insurance planning, tax planning, estate planning and business succession planning.  Some may work on a commission-based basis while others work on a fee-only basis, and still others may have a combination of both.
  

   Are Financial Planners regulated?

The profession of Financial Planner is not regulated in Ontario.  Anyone can call themselves a “financial planner”; but not everyone who refers to themselves as a planner is indeed qualified.  Note, however, that to sell regulated financial products and investments (annuities, RRSPs and life insurance) Financial Planners must hold either a securities, mutual fund or insurance licence.
 
Furthermore, certain employers in the field of financial planning might require employees to hold one of many professional designations such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Personal Financial Planner (PFP).
  

     Where can I find an occupation profile for this profession?  

Ontario Job Futures
Working in Canada
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC)