The Academy of Certified Financial Specialists^® (ACFS^™), founded by financial professionals from all disciplines, is dedicated to the regulated education of Financial Specialists and Para-Planner support staff for financial planners. Introduction to Personal Financial Planning is the first workbook in its new, quality, educational program for financial services professionals. Successful completion of the ACFS^™ educational program, exam and background check will result in the student being awarded the Trademarked Certification, ACFS^™, the pinnacle of achievement for financial planning support staff.

ACFS^TM Education is offered by certain colleges and universities and uses the Financial Specialist Workbook series in conjunction with The Process of Financial Planning: Developing a Financial Plan and the Tools & Techniques of Financial Planning, all published by The National Underwriter Company.

The ACFS^TM Certification is available for academic credit or Certificate courses. The Certification requires 6 courses and an internship. The internship may be obtained at the student’s current work place if already working within the financial industry.

Click here for information on the ACFS™ Certification.

Each workbook in the series is designed to supplement the relevant textbook(s) and offer a unique learning/teaching experience with:

•        Simple language and exhibits

•        Learning objectives

•        Practice questions embedded in the text

•        Practical applications

The various courses of the ACFS^TM Program cover similar topics to those in the CFP^® curriculum but the emphasis is directed more toward task completion than theory.

Additional workbooks coming this winter and throughout 2008!

•        Insurance Planning

•        Investments, Retirement, & Employee Benefits

•        Taxation & Estate Planning

•        Internships

What is ACFS™?

ACFS™ is devoted to setting the standard of education and providing regulation of those individuals who wish to work in financial services as Para-Planners and Financial Specialists who will be thoroughly educated to assist the Financial Planner and CFP^® Practitioner in the many levels of the financial planning process. It is our belief that extensive career training in the financial industry, resulting in its own Certification (ACFS™), will be beneficial to financial services companies, the independent Financial Planner, the client and the employee seeking a financial career path. The Academy offers the most comprehensive model curriculum for Financial Planning studies for Financial Specialists and Para-planners, as well as, advanced coursework in various specializations within the industry. Upon completion of the education requirements, students must successfully complete a comprehensive exam and pass an extensive background check prior to becoming a member of the Academy. All members will be subject to the rules and regulatory policies established by the ACFS™ Advisory Council and Board of Directors, which will appoint an Oversight Committee to implement policy, oversee the use of the ACFS™ professional mark, monitor members’ professional ethics, review complaints against an Academy member and will possess the authority to sanction members as necessary.

For CFP^® Program Directors: Consider adding the Financial Specialist/Para-Planner track (Credit and/or Certificate) for ACFS™ Certification to your current financial studies. The revenue impact for your University could be substantial.