Working with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
What Is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional?
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional or a CFP® practitioner is a financial professional who meets the requirements established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
While others may call themselves financial planners, only those who demonstrate the requisite experience, education, and ethical standards are awarded the CFP® mark.
What does a CFP® professional do?
A CFP® professional is trained to develop and implement comprehensive financial plans for individuals, businesses, and organizations.
He or she has the knowledge and skills to objectively assess your current financial status, identify potential problem areas, and recommend appropriate options.
You're also working with someone who's demonstrated knowledge in multiple areas of financial planning, including income and estate tax planning, investment planning, risk management, and retirement planning.
How can a CFP® professional help you?
A CFP® professional can help you create a personal budget, control expenses, and develop and implement plans for retirement, education, and wealth transfer.
A CFP® professional can offer risk management, including strategies involving life and long-term care insurance, health insurance, and liability coverage. He or she often can help with your tax planning or manage your asset portfolio based on your goals.
Questions to ask
• What is your education? What schools did you attend and what degrees have you earned?
• What licenses do you hold?
• Are you affiliated with any professional groups or organizations? Do you execute securities trades through a broker-dealer? Who is it?
• Does your practice concentrate in a particular area? What types of clients do you work with?
Is a CFP® professional right for you?
The financial world has become a very complex place. Even if you're used to handling your own financial affairs, the time may be right to consult a CFP® professional who can review your financial health and offer suggestions that may help you pursue your financial goals.
For example, are you familiar with all the different investment opportunities that might be available to you? Are you on track to meet your financial goals such as saving for your child's college education, securing enough income for a comfortable retirement, or protecting your assets against risks and lawsuits?
A CFP® professional can offer the analysis to help answer these and other important financial questions.