NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES

TO OFFER TWO NEW FINANCIAL PLANNING PROGRAMS

e-CERTIFICATE IN FINANCIAL PLANNING AND

David Mercurio, Director of Professional Development Programs for Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies announced today two new programs.  The e-Certificate in Financial Planning and the Online Executive Certificate in Financial Planning Programs will be offered by the school beginning immediately.

The e-Certificate in Financial Planning Program is a live online program that represents an innovative approach to education during which students and instructors attend a virtual classroom and communicate using a headset and voice-over IP technology.  This program is a live, instructor-led financial planning education program. Students can take classes from the comfort of their homes or offices, without worrying about traffic, parking or leaving work early. 

The Online Executive Certificate in Financial Planning Program is designed for students who prefer self-paced learning and are too busy to commit to regularly-scheduled class meetings.  This program also allows the student to go in as much depth on topics as they want or lightly cover the topics they already know.  This variable learning method will result in students being able to successfully complete the program in as much or as little time that they need, in order to gain a complete and thorough understanding of the material.

Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies offers these programs in partnership with Dalton Education, a leading provider of financial planning and education materials for financial planners.  

“A partnership between Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies and Dalton Education brings together two organizations committed to excellence in financial planning education,” said Joseph Gillice, president of Dalton Education.  “The e-Certificate in Financial Planning Program and the Online Executive Certificate in Financial Planning Program offer students, from anywhere in the country, the opportunity to attend one of the country’s premier financial planning education programs.”

According to the Occupational Outlook, employment as a financial planner is expected to grow by 30% between 2008 and 2018.  The e-Certificate in Financial Planning Program and the Online Executive Certificate in Financial Planning Program will assist both financial professionals and persons changing careers to enter this rapidly growing profession.

For additional information about these programs at Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies, please contact Matt Hlinak at (312) 503-0714.  Program registration is currently in progress.

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According to the CFP Board....


March 2010 exam results were sent on May 11, 2010 by first-class mail to the preferred mailing address of each examinee. Exam results will NOT be released over  the phone, by fax or by e-mail.

Included in the exam result  mailing is a Diagnostic Summary Report that provides a comparison of the individual examinee’s performance with the average performance of the passing group and also identifies the major content areas in which an individual’s results were deficient.

CFP Board wishes all examinees the best as  they receive their results.

So, you should begin receiving results as soon as today.  Good luck everyone!

Joseph M. Gillice, CPA, CFP®
President
Dalton Education, LLC

2 Comments

The email exchange below was between myself and one of our review students, days before (and after) the March 2010 exam.  I found this interesting because it happens time and time again where review providers, specifically the Zahn CFP review, will tell students that they know what’s going to be on the exam.  Time and time again, they are wrong and are doing a real disservice to their students.  It causes students to have a false sense of confidence, study information that’s not tested and overlook information that is tested.
Here’s the email exchange:

Student 3/15/10:  Joe - Speaking to a few friends who took Zahn’s review, they indicated that there might be some questions about AMT and some sort of info on carrying credits back three years.

Joe 3/15/10:  Yes, there’s likely to be some questions on AMT.  However, nobody knows exactly what will be tested and the Zahn review is notorious for playing the guessing game and telling students that this will or will not be tested.  In fact, they don’t know... Nobody does.  I hear it time and time again, the Zahn review told us this wouldn’t be tested and it was tested or this would be tested and it wasn’t.  Stick with what we have covered.  If you know our material, you’ll be fine and you’ll pass the exam.  At this point, don’t talk to other people, it only causes anxiety and they don’t know what they’re talking about.

Traditionally, the CFP exam has consistently tested a couple of things with regard to AMT:
    
    1.      What are the preference items
    2.      What are the adjustments
    3.      The AMT consequence for ISO
    
Instructor’s Input - I covered all three in my weekend of the review and would suggest he review the online lecture.  The first two are discussed in tax where this is addressed on AMT.  I covered the ISO issue in retirement. I also did quite a few examples on ISO/NQSO in the Jan 15 office hours and discussed the amt issue there as well.  As for private activity bonds – we also covered that in the review. Tax-exempt interest on private activity bonds issued in 2009 and 2010 is not subject to AMT.  As far as they carryback – without more info I can’t really address that.  I have not heard of the board testing any other types of AMT issues.  Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen—just means I haven’t heard about it.  Like I said it is hard to tell without more info.  If they are talking about the ability to carry back NOLs for AMT – then no, I don’t think that is going to be tested because WHBAA 2009 that was enacted in Nov 2009 made some changes to the way NOL carry backs work.  Generally the board avoids things that have had some legislation change that is not yet testable because of the 6 month rule. If they are talking about the ability to have refundable AMT credits that have been unused for 3 years – well I just don’t know.  Haven’t heard about that being tested and it seems beyond the scope to me because of all the intricate details that applies.  

Student 3/16/10:  Great feedback, thanks for taking the time to give a detailed response.

Joe 3/23/10:  How were the AMT questions?

Student 3/23/10:  Just like you predicted. I recall that there were 3 references to it.

Conclusion - I feel bad for the students that spent time worrying and studying about AMT credits being carried back.  It’s unfortunate that they were misled and given wrong information.  Remember – Nobody knows exactly what’s going to be tested on the CFP exam.  Don’t believe anyone that tells you differently!

Joseph M. Gillice, CPA, CFP®
President
Dalton Education, LLC

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"I took the live Washington D.C. review class in October in preparation for the November CFP exam.  I learned recently that I passed the exam and wanted to offer my appreciation for the excellent instruction and useful material covered in the course.  Not only was it helpful for test taking techniques, but I really learned the material.  Thanks again."

"My wife just called with my results- I passed.  Thank you very much for the course and your words of encouragement.  I have already recommended your course to a few colleagues."

"I took the Dalton Review course before taking the November 2009 exam.  I can say, with out a doubt, that folks at the Dalton Review have the resources to help you pass this test.  I can go on for days about how great their instructors, materials and methodology were, but I rather express the way I felt after sitting for each session.  The Dalton Review made every question seem like fair game and left me confident in my answers.  After each section, I felt good about the work I did because I knew what the exam was asking of me.  If you do what they tell you, then you WILL pass this test, it's that simple.  However, keep in mind they are asking you to work hard and there is never a substitute for that. Thanks Dalton Review!"

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