Plan with confidence. Partner with a CFP® professional.
When it comes to your financial security, it’s all about partnering with someone who is committed to putting your interests first. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals have attained the standard of excellence in financial planning by meeting education, experience and ethical standards, and as part of their certification, they have made a commitment to CFP Board to serve your best interests today to prepare you for a more secure tomorrow.
Find YOUR CFP® Professional
common questions
CFP® professional working with a client
Working with a CFP® professional is like working with a personal trainer. We are there to provide guidance and accountability.
What Makes CFP® Professionals Different
When you choose a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, you can be assured that you’re working with a financial advisor who has demonstrated competency and made a commitment to ethics. CFP® professionals must successfully complete a multi-year, multi-step process to obtain the skills and real-life experience they need to serve your best interests, no matter what your financial goals are. Learn more about the extensive certification process for becoming a CFP® professional.
Education
CFP® professionals have the knowledge required to deliver holistic financial planning services, and they must fulfill continuing education requirements.
exam
CFP® professionals must pass the CFP® exam, which tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations and ensures that they are highly qualified to help you plan for your financial future.
experience
CFP® professionals have at least 2 years of real-life experience providing financial planning services.
ethics
CFP® professionals commit to follow a code of ethics and standards set and enforced by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). They can receive sanctions for not abiding by them, and even risk losing their certification.
Financial Services
How a CFP® Professional Can Help You
Whether you are seeking one-time advice or a more holistic roadmap for your financial future, a CFP® professional is your trusted guide in the process. Learn how partnering with a CFP® professional can provide you with confidence today and a more secure tomorrow.
Retirement Planning
Make sure you and your nest egg are ready for your later years.
Tax Planning
Get ahead of tax season and potentially limit your tax liability.
Investing
Fine-tune investment strategies to enable a brighter financial future.
Debt Management
Take control of your credit and debt through careful planning.
Insurance Planning
Get informed on the types of insurance that can provide the coverage you need.
Estate Planning
Ease the burden on loved ones who may have to make decisions about your health or finances, and protect your beneficiaries.
Fiduciary duty
your interests should come first
When you hire a CFP® professional, you are hiring a trusted advisor who has committed to CFP Board to putting your interests first. That’s because as part of their certification, a CFP® professional commits to acting as a fiduciary—which means acting in your best interests at all times when providing you with financial advice and financial planning services. A CFP® professional can receive sanctions from CFP Board, and even risk losing their certification, for violating this standard.
Don't feel like your CFP® professional is putting your interests first? Any other issues? Let us know about it.
stay informed
How to Financially Manage Sudden Wealth
So, you’re anticipating sudden wealth. Maybe this windfall will be from a lawsuit settlement, business sale, stock options or an inheritance. Although each form of sudden wealth has unique financial, tax and legal quirks, all forms of sudden wealth share some common characteristics. I’ve been working with sudden wealth recipients for over 25 years. Here’s what you need to know to financially manage sudden wealth.
Advice on Setting up Your First 401(k) as a Business Owner
Your business has grown and now it’s time to establish a 401(k) retirement plan. A 401(k) provides an efficient and easy way for you and your employees to save for retirement. Not to mention there are some great tax incentives too! You can choose from a variety of retirement plans, and each carries its own benefits. Read on for some advice as you dive into setting up your first 401(k) and becoming a fiduciary.
5 Options for Business Succession
If you’re a business owner, you may soon face a challenging decision: how to approach succession. This decision affects your family, your employees, your customers, your creditors, your wealth, your financial plan and your legacy. Understand that succession will come, whether you plan it or not. Here are five basic options for business succession planning; close the business, maintain ownership with others managing, sell or gift business to family, sell or gift to employees, or sell to a third party.