2015 Job Task Analysis

Background and Findings

CFP Board's 2015 Job Task Analysis (JTA) was completed in 2015 and took effect for the years 2016-2021. The research revealed insights into the tasks being performed by CFP® professionals and the knowledge requirements needed to fulfill and serve the interests of clients. Its results were used to verify and update the content of CFP Board’s examination and education requirements.

Conducted in partnership with a major testing firm, the JTA research incorporated a multi-method approach that involved a number of subject-matter experts, an analysis of emerging trends in the profession, and a large-scale survey of practicing CFP® professionals and educators from CFP Board-Registered Programs.

2015 Job Task Analysis

The 2015 Job Task Analysis results included an updated list of Principal Knowledge Topics and Financial Planning Job Task Domains. The Principal Knowledge Topics are the basis of CFP Board’s CFP® Certification Examination blueprint, serve as the curricular framework for CFP Board’s education requirement, and represent the topics CFP Board will accept for continuing education credit.

Download the 2015 Job Task Analysis infographic in PDF format

The 2015 Job Task Analysis incorporates broad-based input from practicing CFP® professionals, educators from CFP Board-registered academic programs, and subject-matter experts who work to consider practice and emerging trends in financial planning. The study was conducted over the course of a year and was validated by more than 3,700 CFP® professionals and educators. In addition to updated lists of Principal Knowledge Topics and Financial Planning Job Task Domains, the 2015 study identified Contextual Variables that are to be considered when dealing with specific financial planning situations.

The 2015 Job Task Analysis findings indicated five areas are most top of mind for today’s practicing financial planners:

• Retirement Savings and Income Planning
• Education Planning
• Holistic and Integrated Financial Planning
• Healthcare
• Debt Management

Download the 2015 Job Task Analysis Summary Report

2015 Principal Knowledge Topics

The 2015 Principal Knowledge Topics have served as the blueprint for the CFP® Certification Examination since March 2016. Each exam question is linked to one of the following Principal Knowledge Topics, in the approximate percentages indicated with the general category headings.

The Principal Knowledge Topics also serve as a curricular framework for CFP Board’s education requirement and the subject topics CFP Board accepts for continuing education credit.

Download the 2015 Principal Knowledge Topics

2015 Job Task Domains

The Job Task Domains are used to provide context for developing content for the CFP® Certification Examination and other case-based scenarios.

Download the 2015 Job Task Domains

Contextual Variables

In addition to the Principal Knowledge Topics and the Financial Planning Job Task Domains, other important variables are to be considered when dealing with specific financial planning situations. These are referred to as “Contextual Variables” and are used as part of content development for the CFP® Certification Examination or other case-based scenarios.

More specifically, financial planning situations require the application of financial planning knowledge for different types of clients. Important client details to consider as part of financial planning situations are:

• Family Status (traditional family, single parent, same-sex couples, blended families, widowhood)
• Net Worth (ultra-high net worth, high net worth, mass affluent, emerging affluent, mass market)
• Income Level (high, medium, low)
• Life or Professional Stage (student, starting a career, career transition, pre-retirement)
• Other Circumstances (health issues, divorce, change of employment status, aging parents, special needs children)