FP II Syllabus — Learning Objectives by Topic

Blueprint-aligned learning objectives for CSI Financial Planning II (FP II), organized by topic with quick links to targeted practice.

Use this syllabus as your coverage checklist for FP II. Topic weightings and exam structure are from CSI’s official Exam & Credits page; chapter outline follows the official Curriculum page.

What’s covered

Financial Planning Practice (10%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 1 - The Personal Financial Planning Process in Canada

  • Explain The Financial Planning Business Today.
  • Apply The Financial Planning Business Today concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Ethics and Financial Advisors.
  • Apply Ethics and Financial Advisors concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Your Responsibility to Your Clients.
  • Apply Your Responsibility to Your Clients concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Identifying Your Client's Goals.
  • Apply Identifying Your Client's Goals concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Determining Your Client's Risk Profile.
  • Apply Determining Your Client's Risk Profile concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain The Financial Planning Process.
  • Apply The Financial Planning Process concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from The Personal Financial Planning Process in Canada.
  • Integrate concepts from The Personal Financial Planning Process in Canada to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Savings Planning & Debt Management (10%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 2 - Net Worth and Cash Management Planning

  • Explain Net Worth Planning.
  • Apply Net Worth Planning concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Create a Comprehensive Financial Plan.
  • Apply Create a Comprehensive Financial Plan concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Cash Management Planning.
  • Apply Cash Management Planning concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Savings Planning.
  • Apply Savings Planning concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Net Worth and Cash Management Planning.
  • Integrate concepts from Net Worth and Cash Management Planning to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 3 - Debt Planning

  • Explain The Use of Credit.
  • Apply The Use of Credit concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Refinance Debt to Meet Goals.
  • Apply Refinance Debt to Meet Goals concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Understand a Lease-Versus-Buy Situation.
  • Apply Understand a Lease-Versus-Buy Situation concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Borrow to Invest.
  • Apply Borrow to Invest concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Debt Planning.
  • Integrate concepts from Debt Planning to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 4 - Financial Planning and Mortgages

  • Explain Legal Considerations of Owning Real Estate.
  • Apply Legal Considerations of Owning Real Estate concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Mortgage Planning.
  • Apply Mortgage Planning concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Financial Planning and Mortgages.
  • Integrate concepts from Financial Planning and Mortgages to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).
  • Identify common pitfalls and compliance risks relevant to Financial Planning and Mortgages.
  • List the inputs you would gather to analyze a Financial Planning and Mortgages scenario.

Investment and Tax Planning (10%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 5 - Investment Management

  • Explain Modern Portfolio Theory.
  • Apply Modern Portfolio Theory concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Helping your Clients Choose the Right Investment.
  • Apply Helping your Clients Choose the Right Investment concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Measuring Portfolio Performance.
  • Apply Measuring Portfolio Performance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Investment Management.
  • Integrate concepts from Investment Management to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 6 - Tax Planning Strategies

  • Explain Tax Planning Strategies.
  • Apply Tax Planning Strategies concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Income Splitting.
  • Apply Income Splitting concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Tax Shelters.
  • Apply Tax Shelters concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Other Tax Planning Strategies.
  • Apply Other Tax Planning Strategies concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Tax Planning Strategies.
  • Integrate concepts from Tax Planning Strategies to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 7 - Tax Planning Using Registered and Trust Accounts

  • Explain Tax Planning and Children.
  • Apply Tax Planning and Children concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Tax-Planning Strategies Using Registered Education Savings Plans and Informal In-Trust Accounts.
  • Apply Tax-Planning Strategies Using Registered Education Savings Plans and Informal In-Trust Accounts concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Registered Disability Savings Plan.
  • Apply Registered Disability Savings Plan concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Tax-Free Savings Accounts.
  • Apply Tax-Free Savings Accounts concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Tax Planning Using Registered and Trust Accounts.
  • Integrate concepts from Tax Planning Using Registered and Trust Accounts to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Retirement Planning (20%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 8 - Retirement Planning Process

  • Explain Retirement Income Needs Analysis.
  • Apply Retirement Income Needs Analysis concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain The Impact of OAS on Retirement Plans.
  • Apply The Impact of OAS on Retirement Plans concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain The Impact of GIS on Retirement Plans.
  • Apply The Impact of GIS on Retirement Plans concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain The Impact of CPP/QPP on Retirement Plans.
  • Apply The Impact of CPP/QPP on Retirement Plans concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain The Impact of Registered Pension Plans on Your Retirement Plans.
  • Apply The Impact of Registered Pension Plans on Your Retirement Plans concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Deferred Profit Sharing Plans.
  • Apply Deferred Profit Sharing Plans concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Individual Pension Plans.
  • Apply Individual Pension Plans concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans.
  • Apply Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Salary Deferral Arrangements.
  • Apply Salary Deferral Arrangements concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Retirement Planning Process.
  • Integrate concepts from Retirement Planning Process to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 9 - RRSPs and Retirement Income Products

  • Explain Planning Your RRSP Contributions.
  • Apply Planning Your RRSP Contributions concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Selecting the Right Investments for Your RRSP.
  • Apply Selecting the Right Investments for Your RRSP concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Locked-In RRSPs and Group RRSPs.
  • Apply Locked-In RRSPs and Group RRSPs concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Registered Retirement Income Funds.
  • Apply Registered Retirement Income Funds concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Life Income Funds.
  • Apply Life Income Funds concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Annuities.
  • Apply Annuities concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from RRSPs and Retirement Income Products.
  • Integrate concepts from RRSPs and Retirement Income Products to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Insurance Planning (10%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 10 - Life Insurance Products, Features, and Taxation

  • Explain Selecting Representatives and Companies for Life Insurance.
  • Apply Selecting Representatives and Companies for Life Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Conducting a Life Insurance Needs Analysis.
  • Apply Conducting a Life Insurance Needs Analysis concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Business and Personal Applications.
  • Apply Business and Personal Applications concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Tax Treatment of a Life Insurance Policy.
  • Apply Tax Treatment of a Life Insurance Policy concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Calculating Taxes on Life Insurance.
  • Apply Calculating Taxes on Life Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Life Insurance Products, Features, and Taxation.
  • Integrate concepts from Life Insurance Products, Features, and Taxation to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 11 - Insurance Contracts

  • Explain Legal Aspects of the Insurance Contract.
  • Apply Legal Aspects of the Insurance Contract concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Policy Provisions, Riders, and Dividend Options.
  • Apply Policy Provisions, Riders, and Dividend Options concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Insurance Contracts.
  • Integrate concepts from Insurance Contracts to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).
  • Identify common pitfalls and compliance risks relevant to Insurance Contracts.
  • List the inputs you would gather to analyze a Insurance Contracts scenario.

Chapter 12 - Insurance to Protect Income and Savings

  • Explain Disability Insurance.
  • Apply Disability Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Critical Illness Insurance.
  • Apply Critical Illness Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Long-term Care Insurance.
  • Apply Long-term Care Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Provincial Medical Insurance.
  • Apply Provincial Medical Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Extended Health Insurance.
  • Apply Extended Health Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Travel Insurance.
  • Apply Travel Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Group Life and Health Insurance.
  • Apply Group Life and Health Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Insurance to Protect Income and Savings.
  • Integrate concepts from Insurance to Protect Income and Savings to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 13 - General Insurance

  • Explain General Insurance Policies.
  • Apply General Insurance Policies concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Automobile Insurance.
  • Apply Automobile Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Homeowners Insurance.
  • Apply Homeowners Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Liability Insurance.
  • Apply Liability Insurance concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from General Insurance.
  • Integrate concepts from General Insurance to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Financial Planning for Small Business (15%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 14 - Business Law

  • Explain Features of Contracts.
  • Apply Features of Contracts concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Types of Contracts.
  • Apply Types of Contracts concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain The Termination or Discharge of a Contract.
  • Apply The Termination or Discharge of a Contract concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Agency Relationships.
  • Apply Agency Relationships concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Business Law.
  • Integrate concepts from Business Law to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 15 - Financial planning for Small Business

  • Explain Forms of Business Entities.
  • Apply Forms of Business Entities concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Business Valuations.
  • Apply Business Valuations concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Employment Law.
  • Apply Employment Law concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Business Taxation.
  • Apply Business Taxation concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Death of the Business owner-Estate Freezes.
  • Apply Death of the Business owner-Estate Freezes concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Financial planning for Small Business.
  • Integrate concepts from Financial planning for Small Business to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Family Law (15%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 16 - Family Law

  • Explain Fundamental Aspects of Family Law.
  • Apply Fundamental Aspects of Family Law concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Financial Issues in Family Law.
  • Apply Financial Issues in Family Law concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Property Issues on Relationship Breakdown.
  • Apply Property Issues on Relationship Breakdown concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Domestic Contracts.
  • Apply Domestic Contracts concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Impact of Divorce on a Client's Financial Plan.
  • Apply Impact of Divorce on a Client's Financial Plan concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Family Law.
  • Integrate concepts from Family Law to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Estate Planning (10%)

Practice this topic →

Chapter 17 - Trusts and Powers of Attorney

  • Explain Setting Up a Trust.
  • Apply Setting Up a Trust concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Taxation of Trusts.
  • Apply Taxation of Trusts concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Power of Attorney.
  • Apply Power of Attorney concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Power of Attorney for Property.
  • Apply Power of Attorney for Property concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Power of Attorney for Personal Care.
  • Apply Power of Attorney for Personal Care concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Risks and Considerations with Powers of Attorney.
  • Apply Risks and Considerations with Powers of Attorney concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Trusts and Powers of Attorney.
  • Integrate concepts from Trusts and Powers of Attorney to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Chapter 18 - Passing on the Estate

  • Explain Preparing a Will.
  • Apply Preparing a Will concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Probating a Will.
  • Apply Probating a Will concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Reducing the Impact of Probate.
  • Apply Reducing the Impact of Probate concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Minimizing or Deferring Taxes Right before Death.
  • Apply Minimizing or Deferring Taxes Right before Death concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Explain Minimizing or Deferring Taxes Upon Death.
  • Apply Minimizing or Deferring Taxes Upon Death concepts to a client scenario to choose an appropriate action.
  • Summarize key terminology and decision rules from Passing on the Estate.
  • Integrate concepts from Passing on the Estate to evaluate a client recommendation for constraints and suitability (concept).

Tip: Most FP II questions reward a “planner’s order of operations”: confirm goal → confirm constraints → identify missing facts → choose the right tool → justify the trade-off.

Sources: https://www.csi.ca/en/learning/courses/fp2/curriculum and https://www.csi.ca/en/learning/courses/fp2/exam-credits