Financial Planning Certification Program
We built this course after spending years watching people struggle with the same financial planning challenges. Not because they lacked intelligence—far from it. But because most training focuses on theory while real clients need practical frameworks they can trust.
This isn't about cramming formulas or memorizing regulations. It's about understanding how financial decisions actually work in practice, and how to guide clients through complex situations with confidence.
What You'll Actually Learn
Most certification programs throw information at you and hope something sticks. We've structured this differently—each module builds on the last, creating a foundation you can use immediately.
You'll work through real case studies drawn from actual client situations. The kind where regulations overlap, family dynamics complicate matters, and straightforward answers don't exist.
Strategic Planning Foundations
Understanding client goals beyond surface requests. Learning to ask questions that reveal what people actually need versus what they think they want. Building comprehensive financial pictures from incomplete information.
Weeks 1-4Risk Assessment & Protection
Evaluating real-world scenarios where multiple risk factors intersect. Insurance strategy that makes sense for individual situations. Helping clients understand protection without overwhelming them with technical jargon.
Weeks 5-8Investment Strategy Development
Moving beyond textbook portfolio theory to investment approaches that align with actual client circumstances. Market analysis that informs practical decisions. Building strategies clients can understand and stick with long-term.
Weeks 9-12Retirement & Estate Planning
Navigating superannuation regulations that keep changing. Estate planning conversations that account for family complexity. Creating retirement strategies that adapt as circumstances shift over decades.
Weeks 13-16How This Program Actually Works
We designed this around how people actually learn financial planning—not through lectures alone, but through doing the work alongside experienced practitioners.
Case-Based Learning
Every week you'll analyze real situations that test your judgment. Not simplified textbook examples, but actual cases where you need to weigh competing priorities and make recommendations with incomplete information.
Practical Application
Theory matters, but only when you can apply it. You'll build actual financial plans, conduct mock client meetings, and present strategies just like you would in practice. Feedback comes from people who've done this work for years.
Regulatory Framework
Australian financial regulations create a complex environment. We break down compliance requirements and show you how to work within them without getting paralyzed by technical details.
Client Communication
Technical knowledge means nothing if you can't explain it clearly. You'll practice translating complex financial concepts into plain language that helps clients make informed decisions.
Ethics & Professional Standards
Real situations often involve gray areas where regulations offer guidance but not clear answers. We explore ethical decision-making through scenarios that challenge your judgment and values.
Ongoing Mentorship
Questions don't stop when class ends. You'll have regular access to practitioners who can provide perspective on challenges you're working through. This continues beyond the 16-week program period.
Learn From Practitioners
Callum Thornbury
Lead Instructor, Strategic Planning
Spent fourteen years building financial plans for clients ranging from young professionals to retirees with complex estate situations. Now focuses on helping new planners develop the judgment that only comes from experience.
His approach: work through actual cases, make mistakes in a safe environment, and understand why certain strategies work better than others in practice.
Sienna Cartwright
Senior Instructor, Retirement & Investment
Specializes in retirement planning and investment strategy development. Has guided hundreds of clients through superannuation decisions and helped them navigate market uncertainty while staying focused on long-term goals.
She teaches the art of balancing technical precision with practical client communication—understanding both what the numbers say and how to help clients make decisions they can live with.
Ready to Build Real Planning Skills?
The September 2025 intake is limited to eighteen participants. We keep cohorts small so everyone gets meaningful feedback and attention.
- 16 weeks of intensive case-based learning
- Weekly live sessions with experienced practitioners
- Real-world projects building actual financial plans
- Ongoing mentorship extending beyond program completion
- Access to our alumni network of practicing planners
This program suits people who already understand basic financial concepts and want to develop professional-level planning capabilities. Previous experience in finance or related fields helps, though we've had successful participants from various backgrounds.
