Why choose a CFP?
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WHY CHOOSE A CFP ® PROFESSIONAL
Most people think all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true. Anyone can use the title “financial planner.” Only those who have fulfilled the CFP Board certification and renewal requirements can display the CFP® certification trademarks which represent a high level of competency, ethics and professionalism. We are held to a fiduciary standard of care, a CFP® professional is required to act in your best interest.
CFP® CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education
Unlike many financial advisors, CFP® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by the CFP Board. Applicants may also satisfy the education requirement by submitting a transcript review or previous financial planning-related course work. Or, they can show that they have attained certain professional designations or academic degrees that cover the important subjects in the CFP Board’s financial planning curriculum.
Examination
CFP® professionals must pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam, which tests their abilities to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations. The exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance. This comprehensive exam ensures that a CFP® professional is highly qualified to develop a plan for your finances.
Experience
CFP® professionals complete several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification trademarks. This hands-on experience guarantees that CFP® professionals have practical financial planning knowledge, so you can count on them to help you create a realistic financial plan that fits your individual needs.
Ethics
When it comes to ethics and professional responsibility, CFP® professionals are held to the highest of standards. They are obliged to uphold the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence as outlined in CFP Board’s Code of Ethics. The Rules of Conduct require CFP® professionals to put your interests ahead of their own at all times and to provide their financial planning services as a “fiduciary”—acting in the best interest of their financial planning clients. CFP® professionals are subject to CFP Board sanctions if they violate these standards.
Enforcement
CFP Board’s rigorous enforcement of its Standards of Professional Conduct— including releasing disciplinary information to the public—distinguishes the CFP® certification from the many other designations in the financial services industry. Everyone who seeks CFP® certification is subject to a background check, and those whose past conduct falls short of CFP Board’s ethical practice standards can be barred from becoming certified. After attaining certification, a CFP® professional who violates CFP Board’s ethical and practice standards becomes subject to disciplinary action up to the permanent revocation of certification. Through diligent enforcement of its ethical and practice standards,the CFP Board provides you with the confidence that your CFP® professional is both competent and ethical.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Knowing what to expect from a financial planning relationship puts you in the driver’s seat—which is exactly where you belong. To get the most out of your experience with a financial planner, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the qualities of a true professional.
1. Integrity
Trust is central to a successful financial planning relationship. You rely on your planner’s honesty, professionalism and abilities to achieve your goals. When you know your planner takes his professional obligations seriously and places principles over personal gain, you can form a good working partnership. CFP Board’s strict Standards of Professional Conduct are designed to ensure your CFP® professional acts in a professionally responsible manner.
2. Objective Advice
Your needs will be at the heart of all your planner’s recommendations. A CFP® professional has an ethical obligation to act in your best interest when providing financial planning advice. Your planner will use his/her experience and judgment to carefully consider your situation, and then give you advice that best meets your goals. Sometimes this objectivity may require your planner to explain that your goals are unrealistic given your current resources and financial commitments.
3. Competence
CFP® professionals have demonstrated an appropriate level of knowledge to offer financial planning advice. The CFP® certification provides confidence that your financial planner has completed rigorous education and experience requirements—including continuing education coursework—designed to ensure competence in financial planning.
4. Fair Treatment
Fair treatment means your CFP® professional will clearly state what services will be provided and at what cost. Your planner will also explain the risks associated with all financial recommendations, along with any potential conflicts of interest.
5. Privacy
To get the best results from your financial planning relationship, you need to divulge relevant personal and financial information to your financial planner on a regular basis. Your CFP® professional will keep this information in confidence, only sharing it to conduct business on your behalf, at your consent or when ordered to do so by a court of law.
6. Professionalism
Your CFP® professional will not provide investment advice or stock brokerage services unless he is properly qualified and licensed to do so, as required by state or federal law. If your situation requires expertise which your CFP® professional does not possess, he should suggest other professionals who may assist you.
7. Diligence
Before engaging you as a client, your CFP® professional will discuss your goals and objectives and explain what you can expect from the relationship. Once your planner has determined that he (or his staff or network of related professionals) can assist you, the planner will make recommendations suitable for you. A diligent planner will reasonably investigate the products or services he recommends and closely supervise any staff working with you.
The above is derived from information from the CFP® Board.