CFP
I’m taking this moment to remind you that I’ve been a CFP® professional since 2008. The designation comes with extensive training in investment planning, estate planning strategies, insurance, investments, taxes, employee benefits and retirement planning, as well as in CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, which are rigorously enforced. As a CFP® professional, I’m required to uphold my certification through continuing education – something to consider with new financial instruments appearing regularly on the consumer market.
EDUCATION
CFP® professionals must master nearly 100 integrated financial planning topics, including:
• Investment planning
• Tax planning strategies
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning strategies
• Insurance planning
• Financial management
In addition to completing a comprehensive investment planning curriculum approved by CFP Board, or equivalent academic coursework, CFP® professionals are required to complete continuing education coursework, including a CFP Board approved code of ethics course, to ensure their competence in investment planning.
EXAMINATION
CFP® candidates must pass a comprehensive 6-hour CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply investment planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers:
• Establishing and defining the Client-Planner relationship
• Gathering information necessary to fulfill the engagement
• Analyzing and evaluating the client’s current financial status
• Developing recommendations
• Communicating recommendations
• Implementing recommendations
• Evaluating the recommendations
• Practicing within professional and regulatory standards
EXPERIENCE
CFP® professionals must have a minimum of three year's experience in the personal investment planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. As a result, CFP® 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.
WHAT IS CFP BOARD’S CODE OF ETHICS?
Through the Code of Ethics, CFP® practitioners agree to act fairly and diligently when providing you with investment planning advice and services, putting your interests first. The Code of Ethics states that CFP® practitioners are to act with integrity, offering you professional services that are objective and based on your needs.
EDUCATION
CFP® professionals must master nearly 100 integrated financial planning topics, including:
• Investment planning
• Tax planning strategies
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning strategies
• Insurance planning
• Financial management
In addition to completing a comprehensive investment planning curriculum approved by CFP Board, or equivalent academic coursework, CFP® professionals are required to complete continuing education coursework, including a CFP Board approved code of ethics course, to ensure their competence in investment planning.
EXAMINATION
CFP® candidates must pass a comprehensive 6-hour CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply investment planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers:
• Establishing and defining the Client-Planner relationship
• Gathering information necessary to fulfill the engagement
• Analyzing and evaluating the client’s current financial status
• Developing recommendations
• Communicating recommendations
• Implementing recommendations
• Evaluating the recommendations
• Practicing within professional and regulatory standards
EXPERIENCE
CFP® professionals must have a minimum of three year's experience in the personal investment planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. As a result, CFP® 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.
WHAT IS CFP BOARD’S CODE OF ETHICS?
Through the Code of Ethics, CFP® practitioners agree to act fairly and diligently when providing you with investment planning advice and services, putting your interests first. The Code of Ethics states that CFP® practitioners are to act with integrity, offering you professional services that are objective and based on your needs.