What is a CFP®?

What is a CFP?

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional or a CFP® practitioner is a financial professional who meets the requirements established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. While others may call themselves financial planners, only those who demonstrate the requisite experience, education, and ethical standards are awarded the CFP® mark.

What does a CFP® professional do?

A CFP® professional is trained to develop and implement comprehensive financial plans for individuals, businesses, and organizations. He or she has the knowledge and skills to objectively assess your current financial status, identify potential problem areas, and recommend appropriate options. You're also working with someone who's demonstrated expertise in multiple areas of financial planning, including income and estate tax, investment planning, risk management, and retirement planning.

How can a CFP® professional help you?

A CFP® professional can help you create a personal budget, control expenses, and develop and implement plans for retirement, education, and/or wealth protection. A CFP® professional can offer expertise and risk management, including strategies involving life and long-term care insurance, health insurance, and liability coverage. He or she can often help with your tax planning or manage your asset portfolio based on your goals.

Specifically, a CFP® professional can help you:

  • Establish financial and professional goals and create a plan to achieve them.
  • Evaluate your financial well-being with a thorough analysis of your assets, liabilities, income, taxes, investments, and insurance.
  • Identify areas of concern and help you address them by developing and implementing a financial plan that emphasizes your financial strengths while reducing your financial weaknesses.
  • Review your plan periodically to accommodate your challenging personal circumstances and financial goals.
  • While others may call themselves financial planners, only those who demonstrate the requisite experience, education, and ethical standards are awarded the CFP® designation.