Working with a CFP® professional
When choosing a financial advisor to help you meet your wealth management goals, consider the benefits of working with someone that is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional. This well-regarded certification is awarded by the CFP® Board to individuals that have met rigorous educational, testing, and ethical standards.
Education
To obtain the CFP® certification, individuals must complete a comprehensive course of study at an approved college or university covering a multitude of financial planning topics, including:
- Investments
- Estate planning
- Insurance
- Income tax planning
- Wealth transfer strategies
- Risk management
- Retirement planning
- Employee benefits
- Wealth management planning
Upon completion of the required coursework, individuals must pass a comprehensive examination that tests one’s ability to apply the knowledge they have obtained to real-life situations. This test is considered one of the most difficult in the industry, with only a 55-60%* pass rate.
Ethics
Beyond education, CFP® professionals must adhere to a strict code of ethics, upholding principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when providing service to others. These standards are monitored closely by the CFP® Board and violation of these principles can result in the revocation of the designation.
Why it should matter to you
There are a variety of attributes that you can expect from an advisor with the CFP® certification, including:
- being well-versed in developing integrated wealth management plans;
- a robust theoretical and practical knowledge of investment products and services;
- an unwavering commitment to the highest ethics; and
- a steadfast commitment to putting your interests first.
We encourage you to experience the benefits of working with a CFP® professional for yourself. Contact me today to learn more or to schedule a complimentary consultation.
