The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation is considered the premier designation in the financial industry. A financial planner with this designation has:
- Completed a comprehensive course of study in financial planning curriculum
- Passed a comprehensive board certified exam
- Obtained 3+ years of financial planning experience
- Obtained an undergraduate degree
- Passed an ethics review and agreed to abide by practice standards and a strict code of professional conduct
- Completed a minimum number of hours of continuing education every two years
Although many professionals may call themselves "financial planners", CFP® professionals have completed extensive training, experience and exam requirements and are held to rigorous ethical standards.
CFP® professionals have demonstrated competence in the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance. This ensures that a CFP® professional is highly qualified to develop a plan for your finances.
CFP® professionals put your interests ahead of their own at all times and provide their financial planning services as a "fiduciary"—acting in the best interest of their clients.