The Suitability of the Six-Step Financial Planning Process: Perspectives from South African CFP® Professionals

This paper aims to understand how the six-step financial planning process and the related training and education can be contextualised for South Africa. A qualitative strategy using semi-structured interviews with 16 CFP^® professionals was adopted. Justification for the inclusion of cultural aspects and diverse needs of Black consumers in the academic curriculum of the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) and Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) recognised qualifications, as well as the learning outcomes and facilitation of business and product-specific training offered by Financial Services Providers (FSP) was provided. The findings also have implications for the development of the academic curriculum and assessments for CFP^® professionals.