Years ago, I heard favorable comments from other planners. I did everything independent study. I think it depends on your learning preferences, too. Some of the programmed learning review - computer based - is more approximate to a testing situation. Passing the CFP exam is like getting an airplane down the runway and lifting over the trees. You don’t need to soar high, you just need to clear the trees. Programmed learning is good for that, because you are exposed to a lot of material quickly, and you manage yourself as well as learn what is important. It seems the CFP covers a lot of material, and you never know what you will have to recall. Like the series 7, it seems to be as much of an intelligence/memory test as anything else. “Weed” out the pot smokers, etc.

You are incorrect. The College For Financial Planning does not “dole out” the CFP designation. They sold the rights to it years ago. They were the ones who first developed it and awarded it, but in a brilliant move a number of years ago sold it to the CFP board who awards it to certificants now. As far as review courses go, by far the one I think is the best is the Ken Zahn course. I think you can find it at KenZahn.com. He is also the one who wrote all the material for the Kaplan course, which I believe is the best course if you wish to go through all the courses to get the “educational” requirement. You would need to go through those courses, or get a waiver because you are an attorney, or CPA first before attending a review course. More info may be found at cfp.net. Good luck, Hawg

I have had two rather negative experiences with CFFP. As long as you have zero expectations of them, you will be fine. The last instructor I had was unresponsive to email. He was juvenile in the online course, waiting for everyone to flag etc. The adobe interface is clunky and frequently required starting over from the beginning of a presentation and fast forwarding to try to find where you were. The communications about your status are minimal at best. The materials are just so so.

I have used CFFP before. Can not recommend them at all. Terrible experience actually. These certifications have just become a money machine for companies like CFFP and this company is really..... really bad at pumping out useless classes where you don't learn anything. You take the classes to qualify to take the exam for the certification. In the case of the CFFP you will not learn anything, but you will check the box. Then you will have to go somewhere else to actually learn what you need to pass the test.

Do not use this company. No matter what they tell you, they only care about the bottom line. I had an issue with renewing a certification through them and made a reasonable appeal to reimburse a late fee. I even provided a death certificate of my father per their request to prove “reasonable circumstances” and they still denied reimbursement.


I cannot stress this enough, if you’re looking for a proper education for financial certifications: USE ANOTHER COMPANY. You’ll be glad you did.