TPCP™
Tax Planning Certified Professional™
Best For
Financial professionals who need comprehensive knowledge in tax planning
Timing
<12 Months
Format
Study the curriculum at your own pace, engage through virtual office hours, and receive support from the nation’s preeminent tax planning leaders. Learn about Personal Pathway®
100% Virtual
Tuition
Starting at
$995/course
Three-course package available for $2,695
Enrollment opens in November
Request More Information
Provide us with your information and we will get back you with additional details.
Upcoming Webinar
Tax Planning Certified Professional™ Live Demo
Join us on November 12, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. ET for a live demo of the Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program with thought leader Jeff Levine, CFP®, CPA/PFS, ChFC®, RICP®, CWS, AIF, BFA™ and our academic support staff.
Explore Our Latest Insights
2024 Advisory Services Survey
Our latest survey reveals critical insights for all financial professionals. The profession is broadly doing tax planning now, perhaps with a different name and not enough knowledge. Read our biggest takeaways and how to navigate the increasing demand for tax planning services.
TPCP™ at a Glance
Admissions Requirements
There are no prerequisite courses required to begin the TPCP™ Program (other than a high school diploma or equivalent). You can participate in the program and complete the required courses at any time in your career, but at least three years of experience in the financial services industry is required to use the designation. We recommend that students take a basic income tax planning course, such as HS 321 Fundamentals of Income or Taxation or MSFP 554 Income Taxation, prior to enrollment.
To meet the program’s requirements and receive the TPCP™ designation, you must:
- Successfully complete the three required courses
- Score 70% or higher on each course’s final exam
- Have at least three years of experience in financial planning
- Agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures
Tuition & Scholarships
Program tuition may be paid on a per-course or package basis. Tuition covers your course fees, course final exams, and course materials, including:
- Virtual access to all course materials and assignments
- Video lectures and expert interviews
- Dynamic case studies and assessment questions
Individual course: $995
Three-course package: $2,695
Scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify. Learn more.
What You'll Learn
The TPCP™ Program equips learners with the skills to identify, evaluate, and implement holistic tax strategies for individuals and businesses owners across their lifespan, focusing on maximizing tax benefits while ensuring compliance with current legislation.
Your learning outcomes of gaining specialized knowledge include:
- The ability to navigate complex tax situations, employing tailored tax-informed strategies for estate planning, retirement savings and distribution, and investment management to achieve optimized, goal-oriented planning solutions
- Familiarity with unique situations, such as: divorce, planning for individuals with special needs, and incorporating philanthropic intentions into estate planning for optimized tax advantages
- Foundational knowledge on key tax implications of various investment vehicles, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and 529 plans
- Understanding of retirement and investment strategies, including Roth conversions, IRC Section 1031 exchanges, and strategies for minimizing state and federal taxes for high-net-worth individuals and business owners
Course Delivery
Complete the three-course curriculum at your own pace and receive support from the nation’s preeminent academics and thought leaders as well as our academic advising team.
Our program features:
- Elite faculty of nationally recognized academics and researchers
- Up-to-date curriculum covering current trends
- Virtual on-demand, self-study format
Why Become a TPCP™?
80%
Of investors believe their advisors should be focused on minimizing their tax obligations.1
70%
Of consumers with at least $250,000 in investable assets want help with tax and retirement planning.2
50%
Of independent advisors say advanced tax planning is a significant knowledge gap for them.3
The TPCP™ Is Right for You If:
Inside the TPCP™ Program
Courses to Complete
Three
Typical Completion Time
<12 Months
TPCP 101 Tax Planning During the Accumulation Phase
Provides a foundation to support the first stage of the client lifecycle to help improve the likelihood that investment growth will outpace tax liability.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Select appropriate tax-favored accounts for retirement, health care, and education that can enhance the achievement of a client’s financial goals through greater tax-efficiency.
- Determine appropriate tax planning strategies and investments related to taxable accounts that can improve the tax-efficiency of a client’s financial plan.
- Assess the tax efficiency of a client’s investment plan during the accumulation phase of the lifecycle using global concepts of investment tax planning.
- Evaluate viable tax strategies relevant to small business owners and high-net-worth clients.
TPCP 102 Tax Planning During Retirement
Focuses on withdrawal strategies and other considerations for the decumulation stage of the client lifecycle after they start taking income from their investments.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Evaluate distribution strategies from retirement accounts to help clients take advantage of tax-saving opportunities and effectively avoid distribution errors.
- Determine tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing, Roth conversion, and Social Security income strategies that can optimize retirement spending and legacy goals.
- Assess tax planning strategies that address common retirement planning scenarios.
TPCP 103 Tax Planning for End of Life and Special Situations
Covers ways to minimize client tax liability in various scenarios that may occur at any time and have significant tax implications.
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Determine strategies for optimizing the step-up in basis for property in order to maximize after-tax wealth transfer to beneficiaries.
- Assess strategies used to minimize estate taxes, including post-mortem tax planning.
- Evaluate strategies for maximizing the transfer of retirement, health care, and education accounts.
- Evaluate planning strategies designed to address the estate planning needs of business owners and other special situations.
Learn From the Leaders in Tax Planning
Jeffrey Levine
CFP®, CPA/PFS, ChFC®, RICP®, CWS, AIF, BFA™, MSA
Professor of Practice in Tax Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Sophia Duffy
JD, CPA, AEP®
Associate Professor of Business Planning and Program Director, Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Michael Finke
PhD, CFP®
Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
01 / 00
Jeffrey Levine
CFP®, CPA/PFS, ChFC®, RICP®, CWS, AIF, BFA™, MSA
Professor of Practice in Tax Planning
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Sophia Duffy
JD, CPA, AEP®
Associate Professor of Business Planning and Program Director, Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Michael Finke
PhD, CFP®
Professor of Wealth Management, WMCP® Program Director, Director for the Granum Center for Financial Security, Frank M. Engle Distinguished Chair in Economic Security
Connect on LinkedIn
Read Bio
Be Among the First
As a TPCP™, you’ll be one of the first professionals to differentiate yourself with the ability to offer tax-informed planning services as part of holistic financial planning. You’ll be able to identify, evaluate, and implement comprehensive tax strategies while ensuring compliance with current legislation.
Related Resources
Newest Professor of Practice Jeffrey Levine
To fill the growing gap between advisor knowledge of tax-informed planning and client demand for it…
Welcome Jeffrey Levine Professor of Practice
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – The American College of Financial Services proudly announces Jeffrey Levine,…
2024 Advisory Services Survey
The American College of Financial Services surveyed advisors about the services they offer relative…
1 Orion Study. 2021
2 Herbers and Company Service Market Growth Study. 2023.
3 RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey. The American College of Financial Services. 2022.