Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
More Information
Overview
If you are pursuing a professional financial planning designation, or working in the banking and financial services industry, this certificate has been developed for you. Courses are offered in cooperation with the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP) and are accredited by the Financial Planners Standards Council of Canada. Graduates must also successfully complete the four (4) hour CIFP preparation exam in order to qualify to write the first CFP exam through the Financial Planners Standards Council. You can also study the Financial Planning Management summary course at Seneca that includes the four hour CIFP preparation exam.
Information Session
Students are invited to attend an information session.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) with Grade XII English and Mathematics. Students will require strong general math skills with an emphasis on financial calculations.
Prerequisites
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Curriculum
This course is intended for students pursuing a CFP designation. This course provides a detailed look at how clients plan for retirement, how they use their financial assets during retirement, and how they make financial decisions related to retirement. Students will acquire the knowledge to understand the retirement planning process, the various private and government pension arrangements, investment products for retirement and income tax implications, as well as numerous strategies.
This course is intended for students pursuing a CFP designation. Students examine how business and financial assets are used to acquire and preserve wealth. They will acquire an understanding of business activities, investment products, their tax implications and the numerous strategies that affect income tax planning.
This course is intended for students pursuing a CFP designation. This course provides students with a detailed understanding of the investment products that individuals use to achieve their wealth accumulation objectives. It gives the student the understanding and knowledge to design or evaluate a client's investment portfolio.
This course is intended for students pursuing a CFP designation. This course provides students with a detailed understanding of risk management. Students will acquire an understanding of the risks of disability, death, property and liability losses as well as the legal requirements of insurance policies. A detailed examination of the various aspects of estate planning will also be covered in this course.
Other Interest Courses
The international financial services community is working closely with the government and police force at all levels to contain efforts by organized crime and terrorist groups to launder money and use the financial services system as a conduit for the illicit transfer of funds from the proceeds of crime. The Canadian government has put legislative mechanisms in place and established a financial intelligence unit, FINTRAC, to monitor compliance. This course will teach students about Anti-Money Laundering management programs that are in conformance with Canadian and international regulatory requirements.
Detecting fraud, even for a seasoned professional, is not always easy, and preventing it can be twice as challenging. Students learn how to use analysis tools (Fraud Triangle) to detect fraud and prevent fraud from occurring. Students also explore the aspects of internal control and the theories available to assist in fraud detection and prevention. They examine how an internal audit function within a company can assist the organization in detecting and preventing fraud by utilizing such tools as an ethics hotline.
Money laundering and asset tracing are common economic crimes. Students learn how criminals conceal their illegally obtained gains and convert them into untraceable assets. They are introduced to the international controls and regulations in place to prevent and detect potential sources of money laundering. Students examine various methods and techniques of tracing assets.
Please Note:
- Not all courses are offered each semester.
- Students must register with Seneca Polytechnic and then subsequently register directly with CIFP.
- Students must also first complete the four (4) hour CIFP preparation exam in order to qualify to write the CFP exam through the Financial Planners Standards Council.
- Successful completion of CSS110 qualifies as meeting the requirements of RFC403.
Credit for Prior Learning
Prior Learning Assessment
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Transfer Credit
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in postsecondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca Polytechnic program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
More Information
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
Graduation/Convocation
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Minimum Performance for Graduation
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Faculty Profiles
Justin Taheri, MA, BCom, CFA, CIPM
Justin Taheri is the president of First Composite Inc., a firm specializing in GIPS compliance, composite construction and verification dedicated to small fund management firms. From 2007 to 2016, he has been a member of CIPM Examination Council at the CFA Institute, dealing with all aspects of GIPS and verification.
Justin graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and completed his graduate studies with a Master of Arts degree in economics. Justin earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1999 and holds the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) designation from the CFA Institute. He has also completed numerous financial courses from the Canadian Securities Institute, including the Canadian Securities course, Options Licensing course and Derivative Fundamentals course.
Justin has more than 25 years of experience in the finance industry and has developed expertise in performance evaluation, measurement, attribution, appraisal and GIPS compliance. He currently teaches economics and financial courses at Seneca and Centennial colleges, and has been actively involved with the Toronto CFA Society, working with the Continuing Education and Communication committees.
Rajiv Issar, PhD, MBA, CPA, CFP, BAS (Hons.)
Rajiv Issar is a financial professional with over 25 years of experience as an accountant and financial planner. He has earned his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations, and holds a PhD from Walden University, an MBA from Laurentian University, BAS. Honours from York University, and a certificate in financial planning from Seneca Polytechnic.
Rajiv is currently completing research in financial markets and valuation models and also provides accounting, tax, and financial planning services.
Program Contacts
Belinda Becker
Program Assistant
belinda.becker@senecapolytechnic.ca
Lisa Ballantyne
Academic Program Manager
lisa.ballantyne@senecapolytechnic.ca
437-312-0065
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.
Information Session
Students are invited to attend an information session.