- Learning
- Certificate in Financial Services Advice (CFSA)
- Certificate in Advanced Financial Advice (CAFA)
- Certificate in Advanced Investment Advice (CAIA)
- Certificate in Small Business Banking (CSBB)
- Certificate in Technical Analysis (CITA)
- Certificate in Investment Dealer Compliance (CIDC)
- Certificate in Derivatives Market Strategies (CDMS)
- Certificate in Retirement Strategy (CRS)
- Certificate in Estate Planning & Trust Strategy (CETS)
- Certificate in Commercial Credit (CICC)
- Certificate in Fixed Income Trading and Sales (CFIT)
- Certificate in Equity Trading and Sales (CEQT)
- Certificate in Personal Banking (CPB)
- Certificate In Bank Management (CBM)
- Micro-Certificate in Alternative Investments (MCAI)
- View All Certificate Pathways
- Fellow of CSI (FCSI®)
- Personal Financial Planner (PFP®)
- Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®)
- Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM)
- Designated Financial Services Advisor (DFSA™)
- Estate & Trust Professional (MTI®)
- CSI Path to Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- CSI Path to Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP™)
- CSI Path to Financial Planning Program – Quebec (IQPF)
- View All Designation Pathways
- Personal Financial Services Advice (PFSA)
- Financial Planning I (FP I)
- Financial Planning II (FP II)
- Financial Planning Supplement (FPSU)
- Investment Advisors Training Program (IATP)
- Financial Planning Integration Course (FPIC)
- Applied Financial Planning Certification Exam (AFP)
- CIWM Certification Examination
- Life Licence Qualification Program Insurance Course (LLQP)
- View All Courses
Featured Product
CFSA: Preferred Credential for Personal Bankers
Better understand your clients' unique financial needs and goals to build positive client relationships with the CFSA.
Featured Product
PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
Featured Product
Explore Multiple Career Paths
Explore different roles and opportunities available in the financial services industry and view the recommended courses and credentials.
Featured Product
Meet CE Requirements Quickly and Easily
Explore continuing education courses and meet your requirements for CSI, IIROC, CSF and other professional associations or certifications.
Featured Product
Drive Effective Client Conversations
Get started with the Personal Financial Services Advice (PFSA) course to enhance your soft skills and build profitable client relationships.
Featured Product
Explore Multiple Career Paths
Explore different roles and opportunities available in the financial services industry and view the recommended courses and credentials.
- Exams & Administration
Featured Product
Canadian Securities Course CSC®
Featured Product
Preparing to Take Your CSI Exam?
Write your exam through Remote Proctoring from any location (including your home) or In-Person at one of our test centres.
- Credentials
Featured Product
Credentials That Matter
Meet the highest standards of experience & education for financial professionals with CSI certificates, designations & fellowship.
Featured Product
FCSI® – The Highest Honour in Financial Services
Join an elite group of leaders in financial services and make a meaningful impact for your clients with the Fellow of CSI (FCSI®).
Featured Product
PFP® – The Premier Credential for Financial Planners
Master financial planning skills with the ISO and FSRA-certified Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation.
Featured Product
CIM® – The Recognized Credential for Investment Managers
Learn how to manage money on a discretionary basis for sophisticated clients with Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®).
Featured Product
CIWM – The Leading Credential for Wealth Managers
Establish your credibility to address the unique needs of affluent clients with Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM).
Featured Product
MTI® – Prestigious Credential for Trust & Wealth Managers
Gain expertise in the regulations and tax implications that are crucial for management and transfer of wealth with MTI®.
- Corporate Solutions
Featured Product
Find Qualified Candidates Faster
Talent Pro connects organizations with qualified and licensed candidates to fill active opportunities in the banking industry.
Featured Product
Find Qualified Candidates Faster
Talent Pro connects organizations with qualified and licensed candidates to fill active opportunities in the banking industry.
- Insights
Featured Product
Webinars to Boost Financial Literacy
During Financial Literacy Month we aim to help Canadians understand their finances better & navigate the changing economic landscape.
Featured Product
Become a Speaker With CSI
CSI Podium offers designation holders opportunities to speak on topics to benefit their clients, colleagues, and the investing public via webinars.
- About
Featured Product
PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
Featured Product
PFP® Approved Under FSRA Title Regulation
FSRA has approved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation for Financial Planner title use in Ontario.
What is the Designated Financial Services Advisor (DFSA™) designation?
The Designated Financial Services Advisor (DFSA™) designation is a leading credential for financial advice in Canada. It is approved by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) for using the Financial Advisor title in the province of Ontario. Used by Canada’s largest financial institutions, it ensures that financial advisors have the knowledge and skills to provide appropriate advice to address a client’s financial situation.
The DFSA™ Professional Competency Profile provides an overview of the responsibilities, skills and knowledge that are unique to someone who holds the DFSA™ designation. It is the foundational document for the Designated Financial Services Advisor (DFSA™) designation that describes the required competencies of professionals awarded the designation.
What is the Financial Advisory and Financial Planning Regulation in Canada?
Ontario
In 2019, the Ontario government announced that it would introduce legislation to limit the use of the titles of “Financial Planner” and “Financial Advisor” in Ontario to individuals who have obtained a credential from a credentialing body approved by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA).
The DFSA™ is recognized and approved by FSRA as a financial advisor designation within this regulatory framework regulation. The Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation offered by CSI is recognized and approved within this regulatory framework as a financial planning designation.
Saskatchewan
The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA or the Authority) is publishing for comment Proposed Regulations [2021-001] – The Financial Planners and Financial Advisors Regulations (the Proposed Regulations) under The Financial Planners and Financial Advisors Act (FPFAA). This legislation is intended to limit the use of the titles “Financial Planner” and “Financial Advisor.” It is still in the public comment phase.
New Brunswick
The Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick (FCNB) is seeking public comment on potential approaches to the regulation of the titles “Financial Planner” and “Financial Advisor” in New Brunswick.
Quebec
The DFSA™ designation cannot be used in Quebec due to provincial regulations.
