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PFS Exam 


The PFS Exam is a comprehensive financial planning exam that covers all of the disciplines that make up personal financial planning.  Of particular importance are the professional responsibilities that CPA financial planners have as they practice financial planning.  Also, the exam reflects the importance of a holistic approach to financial planning as client needs are being discussed with the use of case studies.


REGISTER FOR PFS EXAM ONLINE!           NEW! CPA/PFS Referral Program

Refer a new PFS applicant or a PFS exam
taker and get a $350 PFS dues credit.
Sample exam tutorial video          
A Pre-exam Study Calendar
for the final 2 weeks before the exam 
       

                                          


                                                                 

Topics

 PFS Exam Information

 Do you need to take the PFS Exam?

You may not be required to take the PFS exam if you have successfully passed another comprehensive financial planning exam.  Check the CPA/PFS Eligibility Requirements page. 

 2013 Exam Dates:

Summer exam window: June 17 - July 26, 2013
Winter exam window: December 30, 2013 - February 7, 2014

Note:  A candidate is only allowed to take one exam per calendar year.  For example if you did not pass the Winter 2012 exam, you could take either the Summer or Winter 2013 exam; however if you do not pass the Summer 2013 exam, you would need to wait until the Summer 2014 exam to re-take it.

Registration:

REGISTER NOW!
Summer 2013 exam registration closes on June 10, 2013

Exam Registrant 
Categories and Costs:

On CPA2Biz.com, select the exam window and then register as one of these 3 types:

First time registrants: You have never previously registered or taken the PFS exam
      $300 ($225 early bird) - Current PFP Section members
      $400 ($300 early bird) - Current AICPA members
      $500 ($375 early bird) - Non-AICPA members

Exam Retake registrants: You have taken the PFS exam in a prior calendar year and did not pass the exam.  The re-take fee is $100.

Deferral registrants: You have previously registered for a PFS exam but did not schedule or take the exam in the year in which you registered.  Deferral candidates must pay a $100 fee to take the exam.

Discounts and Reimbursements Available

PFS Exam Sponsorship - Program that reimburses $200, $400 or $600 of costs depending on the type of review program used.
PFP Section Discount - $125 off exam review course and $100 off exam
10% Discount - if both exam review course and exam are ordered together
Volume Pricing - ask us about special pricing for two or more CPAs from the same firm taking the exam

Registration & Scheduling Process:

Upon purchase of the exam, you will receive an email confirming your purchase.  Then six weeks before the beginning of your exam window, you will receive a "Notice To Schedule" email with a voucher code # and a link to set up an account online and schedule the specific date and time at a testing center.  Download a step-by-step guide.

You must read the Registration & Scheduling Terms & Conditions prior to registering.  It contains vital information for scheduling, re-scheduling, deferring, and much more. 

Test Center Locations:

Almost 300 locations nationwide.   Find the closest one

Test Center Regulations:

Be prepared.  Know what to expect.  Download a PDF of the regulations. 

Approved Calculators

Hewlett Packard:  12C, 10B, 10B II, 17BII,
Texas Instruments:  TI BAII Plus
Victor:  V12, Victor 10 

Exam Length:

7 1/4 hour exam (including a 45 minute break) with 230 multiple-choice questions.

 Multiple Choice Questions:

A discrete multiple choice question consists of a stem that includes factual or scenario data and provides four or five options.

 Case Studies:

Approximately 50% of the exam will be in a scenario or case study format.  They will vary in length and include short scenarios followed by 1-5 multiple-choice questions and two comprehensive cases with 25-30 related multiple-choice questions.

The fact pattern of each case study will contain sufficient information to enable the candidate to answer the question.

This part of the examination is designed to test the candidate’s analytical reasoning skills and ability to apply financial planning theory and methodology in a comprehensive manner.

 Exam Content Specification Outline:

Download  the comprehensive body of knowledge tested on the PFS Exam.  The eleven major topical areas provide a framework or "blueprint", for knowledge tested on the exam (updated January 2012). 

 Preparation for the Exam:

Choose the format you like:  a self-study review course, a live review class, or an on-demand web review class rebroadcast.

 

More questions?  

Go to the CPA/PFS Credential Overview web page

 

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