Spotlight on financial planning education in Australian universities

Financial planning in its broadest terms is now in the spotlight as it draws interest from a wide range of groups including consumers, regulators, government, the financial services industry, accountants and most importantly educators. This paper presents a descriptive analysis which provides a comprehensive snapshot of undergraduate and postgraduate financial planning offerings available in Australian universities at the present time. The paper also reflects on the development of financial planning as an industry, its emergence as a ?new profession?, and the fundamental role that education plays and will continue to play as the industry strives for this recognition. From 2007 an undergraduate degree in financial planning will become the preferred and most direct pathway for entry into the Certified Financial Planner? (CFP??) professional education program, and will be necessary to attain the CFP?? designation.