Recently, I became a CFP® Professional. There are templates for press releases on the CFP® Board website, so that new recipients can inform their community of the accomplishment. While I appreciate the template and will quote some of it, I started my practice to be different from the others and that means I have to put my own spin on the press release.
I was always intrigued by the markets and how everything responded to them. At first I loved the numbers and science of economics, but I wanted to be more involved with the real world effects of finance. With financial math problems, the question always started, “with all things being equal (or rational),” but in the real world, things are not equal and people don’t always make “rational” decisions. A financial planner combines these realities with the mathematical theories. A financial plan is a combination of art and science, which is why I fell in love with the job. Every person’s plan is different, so the financial planner has to find new solutions for each client.
Charles Moran, CFP® said, “People are pulled in so many different directions when it comes to their finances, but a CFP® Professional is uniquely qualified to pull all the pieces together and provide a comprehensive evaluation that looks at the whole picture of a person’s financial life.” People always ask me what exactly financial planners do and this is one of the best quotes I have seen that really explains the profession. Our job is so much more than investing your money. You may not currently have any money to invest or investing may not be the best solution for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a financial plan.
What makes a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ “uniquely qualified?” First, we have to have a 4-year degree. Next, we have to take another set of courses that takes around a year to complete. Then we can take the CFP® Exam and you’ll need about 4 months of study time to prepare for it. After all of that, we also have to have approximately 3 years of work experience in financial planning. Finally, while working, we have to maintain a certain number of continuing education credits. Of course, this is in addition to all the other regulations we follow in the financial services industry.
I realize many people have had disappointing experiences with financial advisors, but that’s why becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ was so important to me. If clients are going to trust me with their future, then I need to learn as much as I can to increase my clients’ chance of success. I would love for you to become a client, so I can help you pursue your reasonable goals as well.
The CFP® Board has launched a national awareness campaign. You may notice advertisements on television over the next few months. For more information, please visit letsmakeaplan.org. You can find me on that site as well!