About FPSC

Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC), incorporated on November 10, 1995, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring Canadians' financial planning needs are well served by developing, promoting and enforcing professional standards for financial planning, through CFP^® certification, and raising awareness of the importance of financial planning to Canadians.

Founding members

FPSC was formed on the initiative of organizations whose members deal with the personal finances of individuals. It continues to be supported by The Financial Advisors Association of Canada (ADVOCIS); the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants; the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning; Certified General Accountants Association of Canada; Certified Management Accountants of Canada; and the Credit Union Institute of Canada.

FPSC and the CFP marks

FPSC licenses the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER marks in Canada. With over 17,500 licensed CFP professionals to date, FPSC is the foremost authority for the financial planning profession in Canada, in concert with the IQPF in Quebec, continually developing, delivering and enforcing the highest competence and ethical standards. There are more than 126,000 individuals who have earned CFP certification in 23 countries around the world.

Committed to the highest standards of performance

As a certifying body, FPSC ensures CFP professionals and candidates meet appropriate standards of competence and professionalism. FPSC has also demonstrated a commitment to its own quality standards as an organization by becoming one of the first certification bodies in Canada to receive ISO 17024 accreditation by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), meeting globally recognized standards for certification bodies.

Ensuring the financial planning needs of Canadians are well served

Throughout its thirteen year history and even now, FPSC continues to face new challenges and adapt to the needs of Canadians: revising its governance structure; updating the CFP certification program; creating a charitable Foundation to support FP education and research efforts, and secure equal access to financial planning for all; establishing a national Financial Planning Week; as well as work with like-minded organizations to further mutually beneficial objectives.

FPSC will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to establish financial planning as the profession for our time, and ultimately, help Canadians enjoy a higher quality of life.

FPSC Foundation

The Foundation for Canadian Financial Planning Research & Education – now named the FPSC Foundation - was established in 2005 to promote research and education on financial planning for the benefit of all Canadians. FPSC has pledged $250,000 in seed capital over five years to help with the Foundation’s start-up costs and operating expenses. To learn more about the FPSC Foundation, or to make a charitable donation, please visit www.fpscfoundation.ca.