Dec. 16, 2014

School of Business recognized for its instruction of financial planning

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By Vincent Simone

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business has made the list of Financial Planning magazine's “35 Great Schools for Financial Planning.”

Virginia Tech is the only other school in the commonwealth to make the list, which represents the top institutions among 372 programs registered by the Certified Financial Planner Board.

VCU’s CFP Board-registered program, the B.S. in business with a concentration in financial planning, has been continually certified since 1998.

John McFarland, coordinator of the financial planning track and an instructor in the School of Business Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate, said that students who pursue this curriculum are choosing a very rewarding career.

“Certified Financial Planners are considered among the most trusted advisers to individuals and business owners,” McFarland said, “and those who embrace comprehensive financial planning are able to make a real difference in the lives of their clients.”

McFarland adds that the financial rewards are impressive as well, citing U.S. Department of Labor estimates.

“CFPs with 10 years of experience have an average income over two-and-a-half times that of the average financial adviser,” he said.

Students interested in pursuing the CFP designation should also seriously consider joining the VCU student chapter of the Financial Planning Association, which provides full access to the local professional chapter and, therefore, opportunities to network with its members.

In addition to its CFP Board-registered program, the School of Business offers two online programs that prepare career changers and evening students to take the CFP Certification Examination. Both are registered with the VCU Center for Corporate Education and provided by Dalton Education.

 

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