William Paterson University Career Development Center

Many people are in the dark when it comes to money, and Im going to turn on the lights.
- Suze Orman

CAREERS IN.
Financial Planning involves studying and learning the process of managing finances in order to navigate the financial
barriers that occur throughout the lifespan. This rapidly growing field offers the opportunity to gain the financial background and expertise necessary to help individuals and families achieve their goals and dreams. Professionals will work
in a variety of areas within Financial Planning including insurance, banking, retirement, benefits, and investments.
The 60 credit Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning program at William Paterson University is housed in the Cotsakos College of Business. The credits are distributed in three areas as follows: I) Business Core Courses, II) Major Requirements in Management, Analysis, and Planning, and III) Directed Electives including topics of diversity, ethics, and
statistics .
WPUNJ Environmental Science: http://www.wpunj.edu/ccob/depar tments/econ-fin-globalbus/index.dot
WPUNJ Admissions:
http://www.wpunj.edu/admissions/undergraduate/academic-programs/programs_detail.dot?id=125496
Interests & Skills:
*Competency in mathematics
*Good communication skills, both written and oral
*Critical thinking skills
*Understanding of how to read and create records

*Computer skills
*Leadership & teamwork skills
*Ability to analyze and process data
*Reading Comprehension

Work Environment:
People working in the field of financial planning tend to be divided into two categories: 1) Registered Investment Advisory firms, and 2) Broker/Dealers. The RIA firms tend to focus on comprehensive financial planning and wealth management for clients, based on the goals, values, and needs of the client. The daily efforts of a planner working at an RIA
firm would revolve around wealth management, risk management, and analyzing client needs. The broker/dealer firms
will tend to value and emphasize the ability to sell products and maintain relationships within the financial planning context.
Possible job titles:
*Account Executive
*Financial Agent
*Internal Wholesaler
*Registered Investment Advisor
*Shopper Insights Analyst
*Financial Counselor
*Assistant Operations Manager
* Certified Financial Planner

*Associate Planner
*Licensed Personal Banker
*Financial Representative
*Planning Associate
*Wealth Management Advisor
*Retirement Benefits Specialist
* Personal/Private Banker
* Retirement Plan Administrator

*Broker Dealer
*Wealth Advisor
*Claims Coordinator
*Business Analyst
*Financial Planner
*Bank Trust Officer
* Client Services Associate
* Financial Advisor

Where William Paterson University Alumni Work:

In 2013, the Financial Planning program at WPU had 95% placement of its graduates
Vanguard
Fidelity
TD Ameritrade (Institutional)
Charles Schwab
Ernst & Young
Regent Atlantic
Quadrant Capital Management
State Farm
Baron Financial Group
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance

Enhance Your Qualifications:

Successful students tend to seek out opportunities to enhance their qualifications through a variety of means.
First, students tend to seek out paid internships with financial planning firms, banks, accounting firms, RIA
(Registered Investment Advisory) firms, brokerage firms, discount brokerage firms, and wire houses. Students
also join relevant professional organizations like the Financial Planning Association (FPA), National Association of Personal Financial Advisor (NAPFA), and the Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP). Students also tend to participate in the Student Investment Club on campus, and engage in competitions with other
financial planning programs around the country. Graduates sit for the CFP exam after graduation, in order to
obtain CFP designation and become Certified Financial PlannerTM. Some students also work towards the CFA
(Chartered Financial Analyst) designation.
*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the marks CFP and Certified Financial Planner TM in the U.S. which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Related Web Sites:

National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
Financial Planning Association (FPA)
Financial Planning Association of New Jersey
Society of Financial Service Professionals
Financial Planning Magazine

www.napfa.org
www.fpanet.org
www.fpanj.org
www.financialpro.org
www.financial-planning.com

Other sources:
Please drop by the Career Development and Advisement Center to learn more about careers in financial planning. The career library carries career-specific books and counselors are available to answer any further questions you may have. Visiting the Department of Economics, Finance, and Global Business on campus may
also prove valuable in addressing questions.

Compliments of:
The Career Development Center
http://www.wpunj.edu/career-development
973-720-3291
UPDATED 3.18.2014