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The Professional Financial Advisor (PFA) designation was created to meet the everyday demands of the professional advisor. With practice-based training in a real-world environment, the PFA focuses on practice development, technical knowledge and compliance & ethics to help newer advisors get a successful head start while also empowering existing advisors to fine-tune the primary building blocks of their business.
The PFA designation is conferred in Canada exclusively by The Institute for Advanced Financial Education (“The Institute™”).
Self-Study Program |
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Need more information? General program inquiries may also be sent to info@advocis.ca.
In Business Elements, we examine the fundamentals of launching a financial advisory practice: developing a business plan, a marketing strategy and the discipline of prospecting for clients. This course encompasses the disciplines of Practice Development, Compliance & Regulatory Topics for Financial Advisors and Financial Planning.
Click Advocis PFA Program Outline for more details.
Estimated Time: 159 study hours
Window for completion: 6 months
Course Exam Format
CE Credits
Pricing
Member price: $225 (add GST/HST)
Non-Member price: $425 (add GST/HST)
In Fine Tuning Your Practice, we guide you through a review of your existing work habits and explore ones that could be more effective for you. We also revisit the personal and business goals you developed in Course 1 – Business Elements. For most of you it has been approximately a year and a half since you established your marketing plan. In this module, we will provide you with methods to analyze the success of your business and measures to evaluate your marketing plan.
This module also focuses on how you can best protect your financial advisory practice. Topics discussed include the importance of liability (E&O) insurance, managing client expectations, and taking advantage of educational and mentorship opportunities.
In The Value of Advice, we explore and recognize the unique value you provide to your clients. We offer suggestions on how to orient your practice toward providing the highest value possible in your financial advisory practice. Most importantly, in the second half of the module, we offer best practices on how to communicate the value you provide to your clients and prospective clients. Included in the module are tips on how to evaluate your current communications practices and develop a communications strategy.
Click Advocis PFA Program Outline for more details.
Estimated Time: 100 study hours
Window for completion: 6 months
Course Exam Format
CE Credits
Pricing (Semester and Self-Study)
Member price: $225 (add GST/HST)
Non-Member price: $425 (add GST/HST)
The Final Comprehensive Exam is scheduled four times a year (February, May, August and November). PFA candidates are required to select the exam that is scheduled closest to their successful completion of Course 4: Fine Tuning your Practice and The Value of Advice. Registration for the February 28, 2024 PFA Comprehensive Exam is now open. For more information on the Final Comprehensive Exam, please visit our FAQ.
Exam Format
Pricing
Member price: $150 (add GST/HST)
Non-Member price: $350 (add GST/HST)
Next Exam: May 22, 2024
Registration for the May 22, 2024 PFA exam date is now open.
2024 Schedule | ||
Exam Date(s) (12:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET) | Registration Opens on: | Registration Closes on: |
February 28, 2024 | January 8, 2024 | February 21, 2024 |
May 22, 2024 | March 27, 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
August 28, 2024 | July 3, 2024 | August 21, 2024 |
November 27, 2024 | October 2, 2024 | November 20, 2024 |
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