The Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting at Fort Hays State University has recently been re-certified by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

"The College of Business and Leadership at FHSU is very proud of having a nationally recognized and respected financial planning program," said Dr. Mark Bannister, dean of the College of Business and Leadership. "To have a CFP board-registered program is a significant honor and distinguishes FHSU's finance program from most others."

Re-certification means that the CFP board has analyzed FHSU's financial planning program and found the curriculum contains the topics that align with the CFP certification. The initial certification was received in 1996.

"It was a pleasure to review your program," said the acceptance letter from the CFP board. "The materials submitted provided a clear picture of the depth and quality of your faculty members, your curriculum and your commitment to offering a quality financial planning curriculum."

The CFP examination is a professional certification for financial planners. It is a 10-hour, multiple-choice exam divided into one four-hour session and two three-hour sessions. The exam includes three major case problems and is designed to assess the student's ability to apply knowledge to financial planning situations.

"The CFP certification is made up of the four E's: education, ethics, examination and experience," said Dr. Tom Johansen, professor of economics and finance. "The board conducts a survey of financial planners to ensure the material in the curriculum and exam is current and relevant."

FHSU has the only college of business in the state that offers an undergraduate degree in business and a double-degree program in financial planning and accounting.

"They receive two BBAs and are prepared to take the CFP and CPA examinations," said Johansen. "It's very powerful on the resume, and students who have completed this tend to do very well after graduation."

The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards is to benefit the public by granting the CFP certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning.

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