Is the CISI’s gold standard Certified Financial Planner™designation worth the climb? We hear from four financial professionals who have gone for gold…

When it comes to carving out a successful career in financial planning, there are several professional qualifications to choose from. But ask around, and one name comes up time and again as a real game-changer: the globally-recognised Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP™) designation offered by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) here in the UK.

Becoming qualified as a Certified Financial Planner™ professional in the UK through CISI isn’t a walk in the park – there’s rigorous coursework, plenty of studying, and a lot of sacrificed time and effort. But those who’ve done it say it’s absolutely worth the sweat. In this compilation, we hear from four financial planning professionals who’ve gone through the journey themselves – sharing the ups, the downs and everything in between.

Why choose the CFP™ route?

For many planners, the decision to pursue the CFP™ is rooted in a desire to offer clients something more meaningful. Carly Dunningham, Director of Financial Planning at Verso Wealth Management and Chair of the CISI Financial Planning Forum, put it simply: “When I give advice, I want to be doing it with a holistic, client-centred, proper financial planning approach.”

She first discovered the IFP (before it merged with CISI) while working as a paraplanner. “It really stirred my interest,” she said. “It was so far removed from the commission-based IFA practice I was working in at the time.”

Matt Taylor, a Financial Adviser at Key Financial Planning, had a similar motivation. “I liked that the CFP™ was ‘financial planning’ focused rather than technical knowledge,” he said. “Given the qualification was focused on improving the service I can provide to my clients and was directly relatable to my day-to-day role, it was clear it was the right path for me.”

For Nicholas Grogan, CFP™ Professional of the Year 2024, the decision came even earlier – at university. “It was explained to me that this was a globally recognised credential that emphasised holistic financial planning instead of addressing pensions or investments in isolation. It felt like a valuable opportunity.”

Preparation is everything

Let’s be honest – the road to CFP™ status isn’t one you want to head down alone. Every contributor we spoke to emphasises the value of external support.

“The most valuable support was Jackie Lockie’s course,” said Carly. “The case study can be overwhelming when it first arrives, just deciding where to start. Jackie’s course laid out a 10-week plan, so you know exactly what to be doing each week.”

Matt also credits Jackie’s course with helping him stay focused: “It became apparent through various Zoom calls and conversations with Jackie that her tuition was also helping me spot things I wouldn’t have if I was self-guided. She promotes deeper thinking – particularly around the assumptions – and that’s really helped in my day-to-day role.”

Imran Kalam, also a CFP™ and Wealth Manager at Rhodes Wealth Management, said support from Lockie Consultants and Crispin Training was “invaluable”. But it’s not just about formal courses – networking and speaking to those who’ve been through it also helped him understand what he was getting into. “It didn’t sound easy. I knew I was signing up for a tough gig.”

The art of balancing study, work and life

If there’s one consistent message from CFP™ achievers, it’s this: make peace with your calendar. The CFP™ demands time, structure, and a fair bit of sacrifice.

Carly admits it was tricky to carve out study time while juggling family life. “I committed to specific weekends and just told my family I’d be in my home office the whole time. My husband took my daughter out a lot to leave me in peace.”

Matt was equally regimented. “I set a date I wanted the case study finished by and blocked out early mornings, late nights and weekends to write up the plan. It was very intensive but rewarding.”

For Imran, the challenge wasn’t just personal – it was professional too. “It was crucial to me that I didn’t compromise the level of service I provide to clients,” he said. “I regularly sacrificed social time to commit to approximately 150 hours of coursework and a month of intensive exam preparation.”

Nicholas recalls balancing his first job with the need to resubmit the case study. “Fortunately, I had no responsibilities at the time. I don’t know what I would do if I had to manage that now with two young boys!”

Lessons from the case study

The CFP™ case study is infamous for a reason – it’s no small feat. But it’s also where the real learning happens.

“I made a couple of mistakes in the spreadsheets that had a huge impact on other calculations and had to do a lot of unravelling,” said Carly. “You really have to dig deep in your resilience pot.”

Matt had a similar experience: “I remember receiving the case study and thinking ‘there’s no way I can do this’. But by being methodical and putting in the work, I ended up with a body of work I was incredibly proud of. I haven’t felt that since my dissertation at university!”

Nicholas’s standout moment? “Of the approximately 30 students who sat it at the time, I was the only one to pass. That was a significant achievement.”

How does it change your career?

So, does all the effort pay off?

Absolutely, says Imran: “The qualification gives my clients confidence, knowing that I’ve undergone rigorous education. It boosts my credibility and ensures I’m equipped to guide them through even the most intricate financial discussions.”

Carly agrees. “It’s definitely strengthened my confidence and approach to planning. I’ve become more aware of how one area of planning can impact another – and how vital it is to get your assumptions right.”

Matt says it’s made him a better adviser: “It’s improved the service I give to my existing clients and the financial plans I produce. The qualification encourages wider thinking and helps me have broader conversations with clients.”

Nicholas says it helped shape his entire career: “It set me up for a career in financial planning in a way that no other qualification could have.”

Chartered status vs CFP™: What’s the difference?

Many planners go on to achieve Chartered status with the CISI – or do so alongside the CFP™. So how do the two compare?

“Chartered exams cover the core product and regulatory knowledge to a higher level,” said Carly. “In comparison, the CFP™ focuses on the practical application of advice. The two routes complement each other well.”

Matt sees Chartered status as a “commitment to both qualifications and CPD”, while the CFP™ is “the best qualification I’ve done in terms of being most applicable to our day-to-day role.”

Imran agrees. “The CFP™ offers a robust foundation in planning. Chartered adds another layer of recognition. They work well together.”

Nicholas summarises it neatly: “Any case starts with holistic planning – that’s where CFP™ comes in. Chartered is where you drill down into technical areas. I see them as complementary.”

Advice for future CFP™

All four contributors are passionate about encouraging others to take the CFP™ route – but with their eyes open.

“Be prepared for the time commitment and make the adjustments necessary,” said Carly. “I missed out on some weekend days with my daughter, but I knew I’d make up for it once I’d finished.”

“Enrol in some form of support,” Matt advised. “It allows you not to panic. Having someone knowledgeable and passionate helps accelerate your learning and keeps you on track.”

Nicholas’s advice? “Take your time and focus on the learning outcomes. Ensure early buy-in from employers and family. Join a study group.”

Imran adds: “Understand what the examiners are looking for. Cash flow modelling is pivotal. And connect the dots – practice breaking down concepts and fitting them into the bigger picture.”

New doors, new opportunities

Holding the CFP™ opens more than just client conversations – it opens doors. Carly now chairs the CISI Financial Planning Forum and has been invited on Jackie Lockie’s podcast twice. Matt recently won the Octo Members Nick Cann Progressive Planner of the Year Award 2025. Nicholas – the current CFP™ Professional of the Year – credits the designation with his entire career path. Imran’s efforts have been recognised by his firm and St. James’s Place alike and he has also featured on Jackie Lockie’s podcast. 

Go for it…

Becoming a CFP™ or achieving Chartered status via the CISI route isn’t for the faint-hearted. It takes time, effort, sacrifice, and a good amount of resilience. But for those who complete the journey, it delivers in spades – from personal growth and career confidence to new opportunities and, ultimately, better outcomes for clients.

As Carly puts it: “There’s never really a ‘good’ time. You just have to carve out the time, change your priorities, and go for it.”

For those wanting to ‘go for it’, you can find all the details you need to know about CISI qualifications here: https://www.cisi.org/cisiweb2/cisi-website/why-choose-a-CISI-qualification/financial-planning/why-become-a-certified-financial-planner-professional. And once you’re on your way, to get in touch with the infamous Jackie Lockie, you can find all of her details here: https://www.lockieconsultants.com/.