CFP Module 2 study guide
CFP Module 2 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The CISI Certified Financial Planner (CFP™) designation sits within the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment's membership and qualification framework, listed on the CISI site alongside the Statement of Professional Standing (SPS) and the institute's professional forums. The CISI describes itself as a professional body with over 54,000 members worldwide and a heritage that includes the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), whose presidential lineage the site traces across 135+ years. Candidates typically approach the CFP™ route after holding a CISI qualification and wanting a planning-focused credential that sits alongside, rather than replaces, the SPS route used by UK advisers. This Module 2 study page is organised around five domains: Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, and Tax and Regulatory Context. The CFP Module 2 study guide has 5 sections and about 1,412 words.
01Financial Planning
Financial Planning is the integrating domain: it tests whether you can run a disciplined advice process rather than sell a product. Expect questions on the six-step process, fact-finding, goal quantification, cash-flow analysis, risk profiling, documentation and review.
309 words, about 2 min02Investment Planning
Investment Planning tests portfolio construction, risk measurement, asset allocation, performance evaluation and behavioural pitfalls. Questions often require a calculation plus interpretation.
286 words, about 1 min03Retirement Planning
Retirement Planning tests accumulation and decumulation: adequacy, contributions, tax relief, withdrawal strategies, longevity and sequencing risk. Replacement ratios are a starting point; build income needs bottom-up, net of state benefits.
265 words, about 1 min04Estate Planning
Estate Planning tests how wealth passes on death and during life: wills, intestacy, inheritance tax, trusts, gifts and powers of attorney. A valid will requires capacity, intention and formal execution; intestacy follows a statutory order and may not match wishes.
285 words, about 1 min05Tax and Regulatory Context
Tax and Regulatory Context tests the tax rules that shape advice and the conduct rules that govern it: income tax, capital gains tax, allowances, wrappers, disclosure and suitability. Income is taxed in order: non-savings, savings, dividends, with allowances and bands applied in sequence.
267 words, about 1 min