COURSE CURRICULUM

The Financial Planning program at Conestoga College is a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma that prepares students for careers in banking, insurance, wealth management, and independent financial services. The curriculum is strategically structured to build both foundational and technical knowledge, beginning in Level 1 with courses such as Introduction to Accounting, Business Mathematics I, College Reading & Writing Across Contexts, and Introduction to Personal Finances. Students also gain practical computing skills through Business Computing Applications I. Level 2 expands on core concepts with Organizational Behaviour, Professional Writing, Economics, Introductory Financial Planning, and Finance I, along with Business Mathematics II and a general education elective. In Level 3, students develop client communication skills, understand ethical practices in financial planning, and begin Canadian Securities Fundamentals I and Financial Planning Essentials. Level 4 deepens industry knowledge with Insurance Fundamentals, Tax for Financial Services, Canadian Securities Fundamentals II, CRM systems, and Business Law. Level 5 introduces Data Analysis and Statistics, Financial Planning Technologies, and the first part of the Technical Knowledge, Analysis, and Application series, supplemented by a general elective. The final term, Level 6, culminates in a Financial Planning Capstone project and includes courses in Finance II, Entrepreneurship, Emerging Trends in Financial Planning, and Technical Knowledge, Analysis, and Application II. General education electives throughout the program ensure a well-rounded academic experience. This rigorous program aligns with FP Canada™ requirements for the Qualified Associate Financial Planner™ designation and supports preparation for licensing exams in securities, mutual funds, and insurance. Designed in collaboration with industry experts, the curriculum ensures students graduate with the technical proficiency, analytical skills, and professional competencies required to succeed in the fast-paced financial services sector. Through a combination of classroom instruction, technology, and real-world applications, graduates are equipped to meet industry demands and adapt to the evolving landscape of financial planning.