Try 12 focused CFP® Cases case questions on Financial Management, with explanations, then continue with Securities Prep.
Try 12 focused CFP® Cases case questions on Financial Management, with explanations, then continue with Securities Prep.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam route | CFP® Cases |
| Topic area | Financial Management |
| Blueprint weight | 15% |
| Page purpose | Focused case questions before returning to mixed practice |
These cases are original Securities Prep practice items aligned to this topic area. They are designed for self-assessment and are not official exam questions.
Topic: Financial Management
Nadia, 35, and Evan, 37, are common-law partners in Ontario. They rent and neither has owned a home in the past five years, so both are eligible to open an FHSA. They have just received a $72,000 after-tax inheritance and can save about $1,400 per month. Nadia’s contract income is variable, so they want flexibility and do not want to reduce their $14,000 emergency fund.
Their goals are connected but have different timelines:
| Goal | Amount or timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Used vehicle | $22,000 in 18 months | Needed for Evan’s commute |
| First home down payment | 3 to 4 years | Assume each may contribute $8,000 to an FHSA this year |
| Education savings | Sophie age 11; Leo age 3 | Both are Evan’s biological children, Canadian residents with SINs |
Sophie lives mainly with Evan’s former spouse, but there are no existing RESPs for either child. Evan wants education savings to benefit Sophie first because her post-secondary timeline is shorter, but if one child does not attend qualifying studies, he would like the funds to be available for the other child where the rules allow.
Nadia has $35,000 of unused TFSA room, Evan has $20,000, and both have RRSP room. Their marginal tax rates are about 41% for Nadia and 30% for Evan. Their wills pre-date their relationship, and they have not reviewed beneficiary designations or successor arrangements for any new accounts.
Which initial savings approach best matches their first-home goal while preserving flexibility for the other goals?
Best answer: C
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: The FHSA is the strongest match for eligible first-time home buyers because it can provide a deduction on contribution and tax-free qualifying withdrawals. After using FHSA room, TFSAs add flexibility for excess savings or changing timelines without taxable withdrawals.
The core concept is matching the account to the goal’s time horizon, tax treatment, and flexibility need. For a 3- to 4-year first-home goal, FHSAs are purpose-built because qualifying withdrawals can be tax-free and contributions can be deductible to the contributor. Because Nadia and Evan also have a near-term vehicle goal and variable income, excess funds should not be locked into less flexible structures. TFSAs are useful for additional down-payment savings because withdrawals are tax-free and can be redirected if the home purchase changes. With this horizon, the investment mix should emphasize capital preservation rather than long-term growth. RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan use may be considered later, but it is not the first-choice vehicle here.
This uses the FHSA’s home-buying tax advantages first while keeping additional savings accessible in TFSAs.
The $22,000 vehicle purchase is expected in 18 months. Which account and investment choice is most appropriate for that goal?
Best answer: C
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: For an 18-month major purchase, liquidity and capital preservation matter more than long-term growth. A TFSA holding high-interest savings or a redeemable short-term GIC gives tax-free access without exposing the vehicle fund to unnecessary market risk.
The core concept is aligning the savings vehicle and investment risk with the time horizon. An 18-month vehicle purchase is a short-term, non-discretionary goal, so the priority is preserving the required capital and ensuring the funds can be accessed when needed. A TFSA is appropriate because Nadia and Evan have unused room, withdrawals are tax-free, and the funds can be used for any purpose. The underlying investment should be cash-like, such as a high-interest savings account or redeemable GIC, rather than a growth portfolio. Registered accounts with a specific purpose, such as FHSA or RESP, do not fit the vehicle purchase, and RRSP withdrawals create tax friction.
The TFSA provides tax-free access, and cash-like holdings fit the short 18-month horizon.
Given Evan’s education goal and beneficiary flexibility concern, which education-savings setup is most suitable?
Best answer: C
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: A family RESP best aligns with the education purpose and Evan’s desire to shift support between Sophie and Leo if needed. Because Evan is related to both children and there are no existing RESPs, the structure supports grant-eligible education saving with more beneficiary flexibility than separate fixed plans.
The core concept is choosing a savings vehicle that fits both the education objective and the beneficiary need. A family RESP can include multiple related beneficiaries and may allow education savings to be used by either child, subject to RESP and grant rules. This is helpful because Sophie’s education need is closer, while Leo’s is much longer-term. RESP contributions are not deductible, but income and grants can be paid as educational assistance payments and are generally taxed to the student. Evan should still invest within the plan according to each child’s time horizon, using more conservative holdings for Sophie’s shorter timeline and longer-term growth exposure for Leo’s longer timeline.
Evan is related to both children, and a family RESP can provide flexibility between eligible beneficiaries.
Before Evan opens the RESP, which implementation step most directly protects the intended education use if he dies prematurely?
Best answer: B
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: RESP planning is not only about choosing the account; it also requires continuity of control. Naming a successor subscriber in Evan’s estate documents helps ensure the RESP remains available and managed for Sophie and Leo if Evan dies before the education goal is completed.
The core concept is coordinating beneficiary intentions with account ownership and estate documents. In an RESP, the subscriber controls the plan; the child beneficiary is not the owner of the account. If Evan is the sole subscriber and dies without a successor arrangement, the plan may be dealt with through his estate and could be managed or collapsed contrary to his education intention. Updating the will to name an appropriate successor subscriber is therefore a practical implementation step. Beneficiary designations on other accounts, or assumptions about common-law rights, do not replace clear RESP succession planning.
A successor subscriber helps preserve control of the RESP for the children’s education if Evan dies.
Topic: Financial Management
Priya, 39, is a nurse in Ontario. Lucas, 41, is a self-employed graphic designer. They have two children and expect daycare costs to rise when Priya changes shifts in four months. Their average monthly net income is about $10,100, but Lucas’s income is uneven. Their regular household and family obligations are about $8,900 per month, including temporary support of $500 per month to Lucas’s mother for the next six months.
They ask Anika, their CFP professional, to compare three choices: pay debts from highest interest to lowest, pay smaller balances first for motivation, or consolidate debts using their home equity line of credit (HELOC). They want an answer before their mortgage renewal in nine months. They brought online balance screenshots but not the loan agreements or recent statements.
| Debt or obligation | Known from clients | Terms not yet confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | $512,000 owing; payment $2,760/month; renews in 9 months | rate type, current rate, prepayment privilege, penalty formula, registration details |
| HELOC | $38,000 owing; interest-only payments; secured by home | variable-rate formula, current rate, limit, fees, payment if amortized |
| Two credit cards | $24,600 combined; one promotional transfer ends in 4 months | purchase APRs, cash-advance APRs, promo expiry, transfer fees, minimum-payment rules |
| Vehicle loan | $29,400 owing; $735/month; advertised as 0%; 40 months left | payout amount, prepayment terms, lost rebate or embedded financing cost |
| Priya’s co-signed sister’s line of credit | sister makes payments | balance, limit, payment history, minimum payment, Priya’s legal liability |
Priya wants lower required monthly payments. Lucas wants the fastest total debt reduction. Both say they will provide documents if Anika explains exactly what is needed.
Which information package should Anika request first for each debt before comparing repayment order or consolidation options?
Best answer: A
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: A repayment or consolidation comparison requires the actual contractual terms for each debt, not just balances. The planner needs current cost, required cash flow, timing, security, and any payout restrictions before modelling options fairly.
The core concept is debt-term discovery before analysis. Current balances show the amount to repay, but interest rate or APR, required payment, remaining term or maturity, secured status, and prepayment costs determine whether a strategy truly reduces cost or simply changes cash flow. In this case, online screenshots are insufficient because the mortgage, HELOC, promotional credit card, vehicle loan, and co-signed LOC all have terms that could change the recommendation.
The key takeaway is that consolidation analysis starts with verified debt terms, not with a preferred repayment method.
These terms are needed to compare cost, cash flow, timing, collateral risk, and payout constraints across debts.
For the credit cards and HELOC, which missing term most directly affects the true cost comparison over the next year?
Best answer: D
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: The most important missing term is the effective cost of borrowing, including when a promotional rate ends or a variable rate changes. Without that, Anika cannot compare whether repayment or HELOC consolidation reduces interest cost.
The core concept is measuring comparable debt cost. Credit cards may have different purchase APRs, cash-advance APRs, promotional balance-transfer rates, expiry dates, and fees. The HELOC is variable and secured by the home, so its formula and current rate must also be verified. Because one credit card promotional transfer ends in four months, using today’s payment screenshot could understate future interest.
The key takeaway is that rate structure and timing are central to any fair cost comparison.
The HELOC variable rate and credit card promotional expiry determine the actual borrowing cost over the comparison period.
Before deciding whether the vehicle loan should be included in a HELOC consolidation, which terms are essential to confirm?
Best answer: B
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: A 0% vehicle loan may not be cheaper to consolidate if the HELOC carries interest or if payout costs apply. Anika must verify both the HELOC borrowing rate and the vehicle loan’s payout terms before including it in a consolidation model.
The core concept is avoiding a misleading consolidation comparison. A vehicle loan advertised as 0% may still have an embedded financing cost, a lost cash rebate, or specific payout terms. Moving it to a secured HELOC can lower required monthly payments but may increase interest cost and extend repayment. The HELOC’s variable rate is also essential because it becomes the replacement borrowing cost.
The key takeaway is that consolidation should be compared using payout cost and replacement financing terms, not just the monthly payment.
The comparison requires the new borrowing cost and the true cost of paying out the advertised 0% vehicle loan.
Priya says her sister’s line of credit can be ignored because the sister makes the payments. What should Anika collect before comparing borrowing capacity?
Best answer: D
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: A co-signed debt is a potential legal obligation and may affect credit assessment even when another person is making payments. Anika should collect verified terms showing the balance, limit, payment status, and Priya’s liability before comparing consolidation capacity.
The core concept is including contingent or shared debt obligations in discovery. Because Priya co-signed the line of credit, lenders may treat the obligation as relevant to her borrowing capacity, and missed payments could affect her credit. The planner should not rely on the client’s assumption that it is “not their debt.” Verified statements and the credit agreement are needed to understand exposure before modelling additional secured borrowing.
The key takeaway is that co-signed obligations belong in the debt-term data request.
A co-signed line of credit can affect Priya’s obligations and borrowing capacity even if her sister currently pays.
Topic: Financial Management
Amara (37) and Leo (39) live in Ottawa with one child and are expecting a second child in four months. Amara’s employment income is stable; Leo will take eight months of parental leave. Their regular monthly surplus is about $900 after debt payments, but during the leave it is projected to fall to about $150 before any debt changes. A $2,000 childcare deposit is due when Leo returns to work. They expect a $25,000 after-tax bonus in six weeks.
They have $4,000 in chequing savings. Based on income volatility and the leave, their planner recommends keeping at least $10,000 readily available. They want lower interest costs, but they are also worried about cash-flow stress and do not want to put the home at unnecessary risk.
Debt snapshot:
| Debt | Balance | Rate | Required monthly payment | Prepayment/flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | $18,000 | 20.99% | $540, recalculated at 3% of balance | No penalty; card is not being used now |
| HELOC | $42,000 | 7.95% variable | $278 interest only | Secured by home; limit is $80,000 |
| Car loan | $14,500 | 6.20% fixed | $520 | No penalty; payment ends if repaid in full |
| Student loan | $19,000 | 0% | $190 | Payment ends only if fully repaid |
Their mortgage balance is $498,000 at 5.65% variable, with a renewal in seven months. The bank has suggested adding the credit card and car loan to the mortgage at renewal. The projected mortgage rate is 5.20%; the proposal would reduce monthly debt payments by about $600, but it would extend the effective repayment period unless Amara and Leo make extra payments.
If Amara and Leo make a lump-sum payment solely to reduce interest cost over the next few months, which debt should be the first target?
Best answer: A
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: The credit card is the strongest first target when the narrow objective is interest-cost reduction. It carries the highest stated rate, has no prepayment penalty, and is not tax-deductible or otherwise offset by a planning benefit in the facts provided.
Debt-repayment prioritization for interest cost usually starts with the highest effective interest rate, then adjusts for penalties, tax treatment, and client risk constraints. Here, the credit card rate of 20.99% is far above the HELOC, car loan, mortgage, and student loan rates. A dollar applied to the card therefore produces the greatest immediate interest saving per dollar. This does not mean cash-flow relief or liquidity is irrelevant, but those are separate objectives that can change the recommended allocation.
It has the highest rate, no prepayment penalty, and immediately reduces expensive unsecured interest.
Assume they use no more than $15,000 of the bonus only to create the largest immediate contractual monthly payment reduction during parental leave. Which action best meets that narrow objective?
Best answer: B
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: For a narrow cash-flow-relief objective, the relevant comparison is the required monthly payment eliminated or reduced. Repaying the car loan in full removes a fixed $520 payment, which is more immediate relief than the other partial repayment choices.
Cash-flow relief and interest-cost reduction can point to different debts. The car loan is not the highest-rate debt, but because it can be fully repaid with less than $15,000, the entire $520 monthly payment disappears. A $15,000 credit card payment would reduce the balance from $18,000 to $3,000, cutting the 3% minimum by about $450. A $15,000 HELOC payment saves only the monthly interest on that amount, and the student loan is not fully repaid. The key takeaway is to match the debt choice to the objective being tested.
Using $14,500 eliminates the full $520 monthly car payment immediately.
Which assessment of the bank’s proposal to add the credit card and car loan to the mortgage is most appropriate?
Best answer: B
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: Consolidation is not automatically good or bad. It may lower the interest rate and monthly payment, but it can increase total interest and convert unsecured consumer debt into debt secured by the home unless paired with a disciplined repayment plan.
A consolidation recommendation should compare more than the headline rate. The planner should consider the new term or amortization, fees, security, variable-rate exposure, spending behaviour, and whether payments will be accelerated so the debt is not stretched over many years. In this case, adding the card and car loan to the mortgage could ease parental-leave cash flow, but it also risks increasing total interest and putting the home behind consumer spending. The better analysis is conditional: use consolidation only if it supports a documented repayment plan and prevents re-accumulation.
This recognizes the lower rate and payment while managing amortization, reborrowing, and home-security risks.
Given the $25,000 bonus and the minimum $10,000 reserve target, which initial recommendation best balances interest cost, flexibility, and risk before parental leave?
Best answer: D
What this tests: Financial Management
Explanation: The best balanced use of the bonus is to pay off the credit card and keep the remaining cash as reserve. It tackles the highest interest cost, improves monthly cash flow by eliminating the card minimum, and preserves liquidity for parental-leave uncertainty.
An integrated debt recommendation should not focus on one metric alone. Paying the $18,000 credit card eliminates the highest-rate debt and its $540 minimum payment. Keeping the remaining $7,000 raises their liquid savings from $4,000 to about $11,000, which meets the planner’s reserve target before a period of reduced income. This approach avoids increasing debt secured by the home and leaves later decisions about the car loan, HELOC, and mortgage renewal to be reviewed once parental-leave cash flow is clearer. The key is balancing interest savings with resilience.
This eliminates the highest-rate debt and raises savings to about $11,000, above the stated reserve target.
Use the CFP® Cases Practice Test page for the full Securities Prep route, mixed-case practice, timed mock exams, explanations, and web/mobile app access.
Use the full Securities Prep practice page above for the latest review links and practice route.