Education
CFP Board-registered coursework that builds the knowledge foundation required before you sit for the exam.
View Education Programs →ZAHN ASSOCIATES, INC. — FOUNDED 1985
Built by Practitioners. Proven by 30,000+ Passes.
Experience. Innovation. A Commitment to Your Success.
“I am fortunate to have been a CFP® professional since 1981, with my sights set on 50 years! I still have a passion for writing questions and cases, and nothing is more rewarding than helping students build confidence in their exam preparation and grow in their careers. After all these years, one thing remains true: Know the Truths, and success will follow!”
Since 1985, Zahn Associates has helped financial professionals prepare for the exams and credentials that shape their careers. Our structured programs combine proven teaching methodologies with instruction from industry professionals who actively work with clients and bring real-world experience into the classroom.
Founder Ken Zahn spent 25 years in financial planning, drawing on his firsthand experience to develop practical case studies and real-world examples that have become integral to Zahn’s curriculum. Driven by a passion for teaching and helping students achieve their goals, Ken pioneered an approach to exam preparation that transforms complex financial planning concepts into clear, understandable, and actionable lessons.
Ken remains actively involved in developing and refining Zahn’s educational materials, writing new practice questions and case studies to continually enhance the learning experience. His commitment to innovation and student success continues to shape the Zahn Associates approach: making challenging concepts easier to understand and helping financial professionals advance their careers with confidence.
A Legacy of Teaching That Continues Today Ken Zahn’s influence extends far beyond the classroom. His passion for teaching and proven instructional methods have shaped generations of students, inspiring many to become educators themselves. By mentoring former students and passing on his teaching philosophy, Ken has built a lasting legacy that lives on through the instructors who teach for Zahn Associates today. His commitment to making complex concepts easier to understand and helping students achieve their goals continues to shape the Zahn learning experience.
OUR APPROACH
What Is the Zahn Method?
The Zahn Method is the disciplined, structured approach that has guided Zahn students across every credential pathway for four decades. It isn't self-paced guesswork or passive content consumption. Programs are built around how working financial professionals actually learn — with clear sequencing, accountable milestones, and instruction grounded in current practice.
Every Zahn program — from CFP® Board education to Live Review, Continuing Education, and Securities Licensing — is built on this foundation. The subject matter changes. The method doesn't.
Structured Learning Paths
Clear sequencing and accountable milestones so you always know what to study next and when.
Practitioner-Led Instruction
Instructors bring real-world scenarios into the academic curriculum. That real world experience solidifies the content, making it easier to understand and remember.
Content That Stays Current
Curriculum reviewed and updated for each testing cycle to reflect what is required by CFP Board and other regulators. Questions and materials come from trusted instructor knowledge, so students always work from the most current content.
1985
Year Founded
40+
Years in Operation
30,000+
CFP® Exam Passes
2,185+
Student Testimonials
WHO WE SERVE
Programs Built for Every Stage of Your Financial Career
Candidates preparing to sit for the CFP® exam for the first time
Candidates who didn't pass and are looking for a more structured approach
Practicing CFP® professionals who need continuing education
Financial professionals pursuing securities licensing
THE INSTRUCTORS
Instructors Who Practice What They Teach
Every Zahn instructor is a credentialed financial professional who works in the industry. They bring current practice into the classroom, so students learn through real-world scenarios that make the material easier to understand and remember. When the CFP Board updates the exam, our instructors update the curriculum for that testing cycle — keeping Zahn materials among the most current available.
Meet the Full Team →Active CFP® professionals with real-world practice experience
Curriculum updated for each testing cycle to reflect current CFP Board content
As Zahn graduates, instructors understand the pressures of the exam from the inside
UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS
Reaching Students Where They Are
Zahn Associates partners with universities and financial services firms to bring CFP Board-registered education to working professionals in formats that fit their schedules — both live and online. Our partnerships continue to grow as demand for structured, practitioner-led CFP education expands across the country.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Investing in the Profession
Zahn Associates offers scholarships for the Live Review program to candidates who demonstrate financial need. We believe that cost should not be a barrier to earning the CFP® designation — and we're committed to supporting the next generation of financial professionals.
Scholarships available for qualifying Live Review candidates.
OUR PROGRAMS
Find the Right Program for Your Next Credential
Live Review
Instructor-led exam prep built on the Zahn Method — structured, intensive, and proven to beat the national pass rate.
View Live Review Locations →Continuing Education
Board-approved CE designed to keep practicing CFP® professionals compliant and current.
View CE Courses →Securities Licensing
Focused exam prep for Series 65, Series 66, and state insurance licensing.
View Licensing Programs →Ready to Find Your Program?
Whether you're starting from scratch, preparing to retake the CFP® exam, or maintaining your credentials — Zahn has a structured program designed for where you are right now.