The new program, called PFS Pathway, will officially launch in June 2009. The AICPA and Texas Tech are designing it specifically for CPA planners who want to attain a financial planning credential.

In advance of the 2009 rollout, the AICPA and Texas Tech will conduct a PFS Pathway pilot program on November 10–14, 2008, at the AICPA offices in Dallas. The five-day program will consist of a four-day, hands-on financial planning case study and an eight-hour multiple-choice exam of approximately 200 questions The beta content will comprise 12 technical areas, including estate planning, employee benefits, investment planning, financial independence and income tax planning.

Participants in the beta will receive approximately 32 continuing professional education credits. The AICPA introduced the PFS credential in 1987. It is the only financial planning credential available exclusively to CPAs.

For further information about the PFS Pathway beta, visit
http://pfp.aicpa.org/Memberships/BetaProgram.htm.  Applications to participate in the beta program will be accepted until August 31.