Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning

Accredited
120 Credits
Take charge of your career with the Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning.
This program is designed to give you a solid foundation in tax, retirement, estate, and investment planning.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, this course delivers everything you need to succeed in a fast-moving industry.
The focus is on practical, ethical, and client-centered solutions. You'll gain the confidence to handle real-world financial challenges and create strategies that deliver results.
Get ready to build a career that makes a real impact.
Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning: Highlights
- Understand financial planning inside out, including regulations, ethics, and professional standards.
- Learn how to minimize tax liabilities for individuals and businesses. Keep them compliant while improving outcomes.
- Design retirement plans that work. Address gaps and build long-term financial security for clients.
- Master estate planning. Draft wills, calculate estate duties, and ensure seamless asset distribution
- Build investment strategies tailored to client goals. Use smart tools to diversify and manage risk effectively.
- Provide comprehensive solutions by combining insurance expertise with practical risk management strategies.
Master the Art of Financial Planning
Dive into six expertly designed modules. Each one is crafted to help you develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge to thrive in financial advisory. Whether you’re tackling tax planning or navigating insurance, these modules prepare you to excel. Click below to explore each one.
Total Credits: 120
Semester 1
Financial Planning Principles and Practices (20 Credits)
Financial Planning Principles and Practices
Financial planning without a roadmap is like navigating in the dark. It’s inefficient and risky.
Without a clear process, you’ll struggle to build trust and deliver effective solutions.
Learn the fundamentals of financial planning. This module gives you the tools to work professionally, ethically, and with confidence.
Outcomes:
- Understand the six-step financial planning process.
- Navigate regulatory frameworks like FAIS, FICA, and TCF.
- Build personal finance strategies, from budgeting to debt consolidation.
Tax Planning (20 Credits)
Tax Planning
Taxes can be a minefield. Missteps are costly, and missed opportunities can set clients back.
Without a deep understanding of tax structures, it’s hard to give clients the best advice.
This module simplifies the complexities. Learn to plan taxes effectively, reduce liabilities, and align with legal standards.
Outcomes:
- Perform accurate tax calculations for individuals and businesses.
- Assess how taxes impact wealth creation and retirement strategies.
- Understand VAT, transfer duties, and anti-avoidance measures.
Retirement Planning (20 Credits)
Retirement Planning
Most people aren’t ready for retirement. It’s a growing concern.
Without expert advice, clients risk financial insecurity in their later years.
Equip yourself to create retirement plans that align with client goals and ensure long-term stability.
Outcomes:
- Analyze retirement fund options and their tax implications.
- Explore investment strategies for post-retirement income.
- Address retirement gaps using scenario analysis.
Semester 2
Estate Planning (20 Credits)
Estate Planning
Estate planning can be messy without proper guidance. Mistakes cause delays and disputes.
High estate duties and liquidity issues can put families under financial strain.
Master estate planning techniques to minimize liabilities and ensure smooth asset distribution.
Outcomes:
- Calculate estate duty and reduce financial burdens.
- Draft wills and understand succession laws.
- Ensure compliance with the Intestate Succession Act and Wills Act.
Investment Planning (20 Credits)
Investment Planning
Investments are a key part of wealth creation. But without strategy, risks outweigh rewards.
Poorly managed investments fail to deliver growth and stability.
Build tailored portfolios that align with client objectives and minimize risks.
Outcomes:
- Evaluate diverse asset classes, from equities to bonds.
- Assess collective investment schemes and alternative options.
- Apply portfolio management techniques like rand cost averaging.
Insurance and Risk Management (20 Credits)
Insurance and Risk Management
Risk is everywhere, and insurance often feels overwhelming. Clients need clarity and security.
Without the right coverage, financial vulnerabilities grow.
Learn to assess and manage risks. This module empowers you to deliver complete, effective insurance solutions.
Outcomes:
- Analyze and mitigate health, short-term, and long-term risks.
- Evaluate insurance products for different client needs.
- Understand tax implications and regulatory requirements in insurance.
Why Choose CIAFS

Experienced Instructors
Learn from the best in the industry.

Proven Results
Trusted by businesses like yours.

Ethical Leadership
Build a culture of ethical leadership.

Practical Learning
Equip your team with actionable skills.
What sets CIAFS apart?
Learner Support
During orientation, we take the time to ensure learners understand the importance of the qualification in both a business and personal capacity.
We not only cover the course material, but we also highlight how their studies will positively impact their roles within their companies.
Throughout the program, students have access to discussion groups, live chats, WhatsApp groups, Exam preparation guides, the Technical support desk and the Academic support desk.
This comprehensive system guarantees that learners are equipped with the necessary resources to contribute effectively to your organisation’s ongoing success.
Academic Excellence
Maintaining our legacy of excellence in FET, the California Institute of Applied Financial Sciences is accredited and recognized by leading authorities as tailored for the financial services sector.
We provide a wealth of knowledge through CIAFS’s extensive academic resources. From comprehensive learner guides to interactive online forums and access to top-tier libraries, we give your team the essential tools they need to succeed.
Online Learning
Experience the future of education with our e-learning platform. Whether you or your team members are digital nomads or prefer the comfort of learning from home, our platform offers interactive courses, personalised support, and engaging experiences.