Cal Poly’s Financial Management Concentration Receives Prestigious Certification
Contact: Pat Pemberton
ppembert@calpoly.edu; 805-235-0555
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The financial management concentration at Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business has been named a Certified Financial Planner-registered program by the CFP Board of Standards Inc.
With this designation, Cal Poly financial management graduates are put on a fast track toward earning the CFP certification, a highly respected certification in the financial services industry.
“Achieving registration with the CFP board opens new career paths in financial services for our students,” said Cyrus Ramezani, professor of finance and program director. “The financial planning courses we offer provide the technical foundation and customer-focused skills to become outstanding advisers. Demand for qualified financial planners is projected to grow over the next decades. This registration enables us to train qualified graduates, providing them with an edge to succeed in the competitive financial services industry.”
According to the organization, nearly eight in 10 CFP professionals, who earn on average $192,000 annually, say the certification gives them have a competitive edge over other financial advisors. Moreover, 90 percent of consumers report feeling more confident working with a financial advisor with the CFP designation.
The CFP board currently oversees more than 300 programs at more than 200 institutions. It sets standards for financial planning and administers the CFP certification so that the public has access to and benefits from competent and ethical financial planning.
Upon graduation from the program, finance students can take the CFP exam to earn the credential, ultimately distinguishing themselves among their peers by meeting specific education, examination, experience and ethics requirements.
As of July 1, the CFP board reports, there are nearly 105,000 CFP professionals working in the U.S.
Cal Poly’s Financial Management and Real Estate Finance concentrations enroll more than 400 students. In addition to a comprehensive finance curriculum, students gain valuable experience from courses in computer science, accounting and economics, as well as deep exposure to financial software. These resources enable the graduates to develop a well-rounded skill set.
Top Photo: Cyrus Ramezani, chair of the Finance concentration, leads a class.
