Why Choose a CFP® Professional?
Most people think all financial planners are "certifed", but this isn't true. Just about anyone can use the title “financial planner.” CFP Board benefits the public by independently certifying financial planners. Although CFP Board does not guarantee their work, CFP® professionals have met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Only those who have fulfilled CFP Board’s rigorous requirements can call themselves a CFP® professional.
As part of their certification, CFP® professionals commit to high ethical standards. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can call themselves a CFP® professional.
WHAT SETS A CFP® PROFESSIONAL APART
When you hire a CFP® professional, you work with an advisor who has met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Most important, a CFP® professional has made a commitment to CFP Board to act in the best interests of their client.
FINANCIAL PLANNER WITHOUT CFP® CERTIFICATION
- It’s easy for someone to call themselves a financial planner.
- May not be required to put your best interests first.
- Level of financial planning knowledge varies.
- Years of experience varies.
CFP® PROFESSIONAL
- Meets requirements established by CFP Board.
- Makes a commitment to CFP Board, as part of their certification, to place your best interests first. Can receive sanctions from CFP Board, and even risk losing their certification, for violations of ethical standards set by CFP Board.
- Has demonstrated the knowledge required to deliver holistic financial planning.
- Must have a minimum of 2 years of financial planning experience.
Note: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. Source: “WHY CHOOSE A CFP® PROFESSIONAL” © 2023 Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Source: “10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR” © 2023 Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. The achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, recognition by publications, media, or other organizations, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Capital Planning LLC is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.