At Crawford Financial Planning we believe that choosing a financial planner may be one of the most important financial decisions you make for yourself and your loved ones. A financial planner can provide you and your family with guidance over your lifetime, or work with you to address specific concerns as needed. A competent planner can play a central role in helping you meet your life goals and achieve financial well-being. Take the time to select a financial planner who is competent and trustworthy – one on whom you can depend for professional advice and services.
Why you should choose a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner.
Posted on October 21, 2010 by Dave
Many people think all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true. Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification marks. Requirements for earning certification include:
◇Education
CFP® professionals must develop theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board.
◇Experience
CFP® professionals must have six years minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. As a result, CFP® practitioners possess financial planning counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.
◇Examination
Examination: CFP® practitioners must pass a comprehensive 6 hour CFP®Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
◇Ethics
CFP® Practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct that sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP Board also performs a background check and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct. Any disclosures are listed on CFP Board’s website www.cfp.net under the Search for a CFP® Professional tab.
◇Continuing Education
CFP® practitioners are required to maintain technical competence and fulfill ethical obligations. Every two years, they must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education to stay current with developments in the financial planning profession and better serve clients. Two of these hours are spent studying or discussing CFP Board’s Code of Ethics or Practice Standards.
