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Are you working with a CFP®?

Learn more about choosing a financial planner.

Choosing a financial planner may be one of the most important decisions you make for yourself and your loved ones.

Financial planners can provide you and your family with guidance over your lifetime, or work with you to address specific concerns as needed. A planner can play a central role in helping you meet your life goals and achieve financial well-being. 

Take the time to select a financial planner who is competent and trustworthy, one on whom you can depend for professional advice and services. Your future depends on the choices you make.

financial-consultation

Most people think that all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true.

Anyone can call themselves a “financial planner.” Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP® Board can display the CFP® certification marks. When selecting a financial planner, you need to feel confident that the person you choose to help you plan for your future is competent and ethical. The CFP® certification provides that sense of security by allowing only those who meet the following requirements the right to use the CFP® certification marks. 

 

A financial planner has in-depth knowledge of both personal finance and the ins and outs of the financial markets, as well as how to analyze financial data. 

They give clients advice and help in many areas, such as investing, building up assets, planning for retirement, saving, and making important life decisions.

In order to have a successful career as a financial planner, you are going to need to have a complete grasp of finances, taxes, financial planning, and investment techniques. Clients of financial planners come from a wide range of backgrounds, including company owners, families, individuals, and entrepreneurs. They might work for a wealth management firm or on their own.

Education

CFP® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP® Board. Other options for satisfying the education component include submitting a transcript review or previous financial planning-related coursework to CFP® Board for review and credit, or showing the attainment of certain professional designations or academic degrees.

Examination

CFP®practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, 10-hour CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.

EXPERIENCE

CFP® professionals must have three years minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. As a result, CFPCFP® practitioners possess financial counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.

ETHICS

As a final step to certification, CFP® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, that sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP® Board also performs a background check during this process, and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct.

ONGOING REQUIREMENTS

Once certified, CFP® practitioners are required to maintain technical competence and fulfill ethical obligations. Every two years, they must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education to stay current with developments in the financial planning profession and better serve clients. Two of these hours are spent studying or discussing CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics or Practice Standards. In addition to the biennial continuing education requirement, all CFP® practitioners voluntarily disclose any public, civil, criminal or disciplinary actions that may have been taken against them during the previous two years as part of the renewal process.

Complimentary Financial Consultation

Complete the form to take advantage of a free financial consultation with one of our advisors to gain a clearer picture on your current financial standing. (Est. value $1,000)