How to Choose a Financial Adviser

You're going to see many, many professional designations in the financial services industry. Some of these represent years of study. Some are awarded after a weekend seminar. But in general, advisors holding a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification] or CFP[® mark] have met rigorous education, experience, and ethics requirements. View the video >

Bankrate.com
January 5, 2012

How to Build Your Financial Dream Team

Insurance sales people, stockbrokers, accountants and even lawyers might call themselves financial advisers, but your specific needs might not fall under their area of expertise. In addition, even fancy credentials might not translate into great work.

Which credentials matter most? CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals], chartered financial analysts and certified public accountants have completed extensive course work and passed many hours of exams. These designations also require work experience and additional continuing education each year. Stockbrokers, by contrast, might only have studied for licenses to sell securities. Read more >

Karen Blumenthal
The Wall Street Journal
December 31, 2011

Need Professional Financial Advice? Try These Tips for Hiring the Right Adviser

It's easy to get hung up on titles. You'll come across financial planners, financial consultants, investment consultants, wealth managers, and financial analysts. These are general labels that can be used by anyone.

But you'll also encounter a range of acronyms for certain credentials, only some of which merit your attention.

[A] CFP[® mark], for example, means the person has completed academic study in a variety of courses including topics like risk management and estate planning. The holder of a CFP[® certification] also must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent, pass exams, and have at least three years of personal financial planning experience. It also signifies a commitment to ethical standards. CFP[®] certification can be checked at the website of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. at http://www.CFP.net. Read more >

David Pitt
Daily Journal
December 12, 2011

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ Professionals'] Median Income $144,850, Survey Shows

Most CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] are very satisfied with their career choice and agree that their CFP[®] certification contributes directly to their professional success, a new survey says.

Exactly 86% of survey respondents are very satisfied with their career choice in financial planning, according to a survey by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

The survey found that 75% of respondents strongly agree that the CFP[®] certification contributes directly to their own professional success. Exactly 91% of respondents would recommend the CFP[®] certification to other financial professionals. Read more >

Jaime L. Brockway
Insurance and Financial Advisor
October 4, 2011

How Do I Find a Reputable Financial Planner?

In addition to asking for word-of-mouth recommendations, you can start your search for a financial planner at any one of many websites… And the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards has upgraded its online search service to help you find a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ [professional]: At letsmakeaplan.org, you can check that a planner is certified, as well as look up areas of specialization, minimum asset requirements, and method of compensation: fee only, commissions, or a combination. Read more >

Cybele Weisser
CNN Money
September 28, 2011

How To Find A Good Financial Advisor

Anyone can hang out a shingle saying they're a financial planner or a wealth manager. Stick with someone who has a well-known designation such [as] CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ Professional]…. Whatever the designation, be sure to understand what type of education and enrichment it required. Don't be afraid to ask them to explain the duck soup of letters after their names, and where they got their training. Read more >

Smart Money
September 19, 2011

A Who's Who Guide to Financial Advisers

To help you wade through the alphabet soup, we looked into what Redmond calls "the three most coveted designations" in their given worlds -- the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst -- so consumers know what to expect when they see those three little letters after a pro's name.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ Professionals]: CFP[® professional]s specialize in assessing whether a person can meet life goals through careful planning. They're generally sought out by consumers interested in making sure that they have enough money for retirement, are adequately insured and/or have their assets protected.

"They're generalists, but with a very high level of expertise," says Toby Johnston, a CFP[® professional] and a CPA with accounting firm Mohler, Nixon & Williams. He adds that those in the midst of a serious search for a financial adviser look for the CFP[® mark] since it's a good indicator that person is top tier. Read more >

Jeanine Skowronski
The Street
September 13, 2011

Beware: Some Producer Awards Aren't Worth Accepting

Rather than spend your money on designations and awards of dubious significance, concentrate on recognized credentialing programs, such as the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards' CFP® designation. Even membership in an industry association such as the Financial Planning Association or the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors is a better use of your marketing and professional development capital, even if membership requirements of those associations are less strenuous than the CFP Board's. Read more >

Robert Bloink, Esq., LL.M.
William H. Byrnes, Esq.
AdvisorOne
September 11, 2011

Financial Advisers Consistently Ask the Wrong Questions

Most commissioned financial representatives don't have the training to discuss your goals and principles. It's not part of their conversation because they are more interested in selling you products. But you need advice.

"Wealth managers" sound like impressive folks, but their duties aren't really well-defined unless they are registered investment advisers (preferred) and are also designated as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] (even better).

Your best relationship will likely be with a fiduciary adviser, someone who will take legal responsibility for his or her recommendations and put your interests first. They can be sued if they lead you astray or fleece you. To find a fiduciary, you can simply ask prospective advisers if they have the designation. Read more >

John Wasik
Reuters Money
September 6, 2011

How to Verify Your Financial Adviser

Having a good financial adviser in tune with your specific situation is vital. But, like any business or professional relationship, you should be diligent about with whom you chose to work. Here are steps for both finding the right fit as well as verifying the adviser's record and fees....

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] and certified public accountants must take extensive coursework and pass lengthy exams. But many other credentials, such as master financial planner and certified retirement financial adviser, require far less study and simpler or no exams. Ask about your adviser's credentials and what they mean, and if they require continuing education. Read more >

Smart Money
August 29, 2011

Choose Your Financial Adviser as You Would a Doctor

I think you'll find the most qualified professionals are registered investment advisers and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals]. Both take a fiduciary duty to put your financial interests ahead of theirs. With commissioned financial products and marketing gimmicks out there, this is an important protection….

CFP[® professionals] differ from brokers, insurance agents and most financial advisers in that they look at your finances holistically. They can help you with your insurance coverage, tax situation, savings strategies and estate planning. Read more >

Brent Hunsberger
The Oregonian
August 27, 2011

Wealth Manager—What's a Title Worth? Millions, Maybe

Industry veteran Tim Kochis, director of new business lines for Aspiriant, is considered one of the pioneers of wealth management, and describes the CFP® designation as a "threshold" for demonstrating core competency. Wealth managers "are not taken seriously without it," he said.

Charles Paikert
Reuters
July 26, 2011

Calculating Risk: Bonds, Stocks, Assets Offer Varying Reward Potentials

Choosing a Financial Adviser: Choose someone who is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional]…. These professionals are fiduciaries and have a legal obligation to act in your best financial interests. Read more >

Elaine Rose
Press of Atlantic City
June 11, 2011

How to Select a Financial Advisor

Anyone can hang a shingle as a "financial planner," so determine what qualifies that person to offer financial planning advice. A good place to start is to find a professional who holds a recognized financial planning designation such as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ [professional]. A CFP[®professional] has passed a rigorous test administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards on topics ranging from investments and insurance to tax, estate and retirement planning. CFP[®professionals] must also commit to continuing education and a code of ethics in order to maintain their designation. Read more >

Steve Davis, CFP®
Mansfield Patch
June 6, 2011

Financial-Advice Reform Bogged Down in Political Debate

"We see new clients all the time who come to us with horror stories[," said Dan Moisand, CFP®.] "They have these horrible portfolio profiles, and yet they are paying these big commissions. It's all legal, but it is wrong."

Such dubious money-management advice would not remain legal if a rule now being considered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission comes to pass. It would require all investment advisers, including stock brokers and insurance salespeople, to put their clients' best interests ahead of their own financial gain.

In financial parlance, that is called a "fiduciary duty," an ethical standard that CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals], or CFP[® professionals], have long included in their licensing requirements. The proposed SEC rule would make that standard legally binding on all financial advisers, not just certified planners. Read more >

Richard Burnett
Orlando Sentinel
May 23, 2011

Dodd-Frank: Congress Takes a Closer Look at How Money Men Work with You

In a study that was commissioned by CFP Board, Consumer Federation of America, AARP and other consumer groups, most Americans are confused about which financial professionals must follow a fiduciary standard of care. It also states that about 91 percent believe that financial professionals follow the same standard of care. It is imperative that the consumer understand what is going on with Study 913 and Study 914, understand how their financial planner is getting paid, and understand the mandates placed on financial professionals through fiduciary and suitability standards of care.

For consumers, it is important that they can trust the financial planner with their assets. The CFP Board offers a listing on their website at www.CFP.net—also see the top financial planners within this issue—and all CFP[® professionals] have adopted a fiduciary standard of care.

"People in our industry should be held to the high and consistent standard; and if we could do that, the general public will benefit from that," says [Kenneth] Robinson[,CFP®].

Amanda Millward
Northern Virginia Magazine
April 2011

What to Look for in a Financial Adviser

Qualifications. "There is a lot of confusion because there is no one designation," says Kevin Keller, CEO of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. "There are close to 200 of them."

But some credentials only require an adviser to take a test over the weekend, doing it online, says Will Beamer, a financial adviser at Dowling & Yahnke in San Diego. "Most of them aren't worth the paper that they are written on," he says.

In comparison a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], or CFP[®] certification], has to go through extensive exams and a substantial amount of work to get certification and then take continuing education to maintain it. And the CFP Board enforces ethical standards. Read more >

Ruthie Ackerman
Financial Planning
April 28, 2011

Have You Seen Those Commercials about CFP[® Professionals]?
TV ad campaign is the right message for right now

Over the past few years, I have used this space to advocate for a national advertising program to make the public aware of its need for professional financial advice.

I was therefore delighted when representatives of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. dropped by and showed us the first TV commercial in their new national public-awareness campaign.

Kudos to the CFP Board…. It's obvious that millions of Americans need financial help. Therefore the CFP Board's new campaign is a step in the right direction. Read more >

Jim Pavia
Investment News
April 22, 2011

CFP [Board] Ads Hit the Airwaves, Trumpet Fiduciary Duty

"Your finances can't manage themselves, but that doesn't mean they won't try," says the voiceover, which encourages viewers to turn to a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] to get their finances in order.

Although the CFP Board had known that it would kick off the campaign this spring, it did not specifically target tax day, which happens to underscore the theme that the ads are promoting.

In addition to launching at the height of tax season, the campaign also is hitting at a time when the Securities and Exchange Commission is considering whether to write a regulation that would impose a universal fiduciary duty on anyone offering retail investment advice – a requirement that investment advisers already meet but is higher than the suitability standard to which broker-dealers are held.

The CFP [Board] ad emphasizes that certified planners must meet the fiduciary standard — acting in the best interests of their clients — in order to hold the CFP® mark. Read more >

Mark Schoeff Jr.
Investment News
April 18, 2011

CFP Board Officially Launches TV, Online Awareness Campaign

Monday marked the first day that the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards' large-scale Public Awareness Campaign officially launched on television and online, via such national channels as CNN, Fox News, ESPN, HGTV, MSNBC, and the Travel Channel. Print ads about the campaign have been appearing for the past couple weeks in Barron's, Kiplinger's, Money, SmartMoney, and The Wall Street Journal. Read more >

Melanie Waddell
AdvisorOne
April 18, 2011

In a world of Schwab and Merrill, can the CFP Board use $36 million of ads to make planning sexy?

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards is launching what is probably the largest public-facing ad campaign by a financial planning organization on Monday – and it's taking a risk to stand out in the crowded financial services marketplace.

The CFP Board shared the creative elements of the campaign with more than 1,100 CFP[® professionals] today (Thursday) in a webinar. The four-year $36 million campaign, which was funded by a major fee increase that angered some certificant holders, appears online, on TV and in print. CFP[® professionals] can download the advertising materials at www.CFP.net/toolkit and use them in their own practices. Read more >

Elizabeth MacBride
RIABiz.com
April 14, 2011

Lessons I Learned from Interviewing Over A Thousand Financial Planners

After about three years into the business I had talked to hundreds of planners who possessed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ [certification] and hundreds who did not, and it became clear we had to make this [CFP® certification] an absolute requirement [for our financial planners at financial eduationcompany Financial Finesse]. Read more >

Liz Davidson
Forbes.com
April 14, 2011

CFP Board Moves To Prime-Time

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards has unveiled a new public awareness campaign about CFP[® professionals] that will include prime-time television commercials. Read more >

Financial Advisor
April 14, 2011

CFP Board to Unveil $36 Million Branding Campaign at April 14 Webinar

In an effort to raise awareness about the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and what it means to the general public, the CFP Board of Standards is introducing a $36 million branding campaign at an April 14 webinar.

The board's goal is to make the CFP® certification for financial planners a household name for consumers, much like the term CPA has become the familiar designation for accountants. The campaign is targeting consumer perceptions of financial planners in the hopes of raising awareness of the fiduciary standard. Read more >

Joyce Hanson
Advisor One
April 5, 2011

Ads To Raise CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ Professionals'] Profiles

The non-profit group that certifies financial planners envisions the day when [the] CFP[® mark] is as familiar an acronym as CPA, and is throwing $36 million into the effort.

The money is funding a four-year advertising campaign that starts rolling out over the next few weeks online, in national publications and on television.

"We're trying to take what is already the best known financial planning designation and make it more broadly known," says Kevin Keller, chief executive of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
Read more > (subscription required)

Jennifer Hoyt Cummings
WSJ.com Broker’s World
April 5, 2011

CFP Board Launches Awareness Campaign with Print Ad

A multimillion-dollar campaign to encourage investors to use credentialed financial planners to manage their money launches this week with a print advertisement in three business magazines.

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. is running a print advertisement in the May editions of Smart Money, Kiplinger's and Money. The publications will start hitting subscriber mailboxes as early as this week.

The print ad is the initial salvo in a campaign designed to increase awareness of the CFP[® certification]. The CFP Board … awards the CFP[® certification] to individuals who pass an initial exam and follow-up requirements. About 62,000 people have earned the CFP® mark….  The campaign will expand to national cable television networks and online media April 18. Read more >

Mark Schoeff Jr.
Investment News
April 4, 2011

5 Reasons Investors Fail to Plan

For example, if you are choosing a financial planner, the first step could be visiting the [CFP Board] Web site (http://www.CFP.net) and making a list of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] closest to your office or home. Remember, the first step is always the most important, even if you make it the smallest.

Kelly Campbell
U.S. News & World Report
February 9, 2011

Picking a Financial Planner
There is only one official “certification” for this profession: the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification]. Those who earn this designation take an extensive series of courses in subjects ranging from investments to insurance, from taxes to estate planning. Then they have to pass a series of competency tests and agree to abide by certain principles, including always putting the client’s interests first and fully disclosing all fees, commissions and incentives in the products they sell.

Terry Savage
Chicago Sun-Times
January 26, 2011

Good Jobs that Require People Skills
Personal financial advisor: Helps clients decide how to invest their money and plan their financial futures. Requires a bachelor’s degree in a finance related field, passing exams for state and federal licensure. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] status may also be needed.

David Proffitt
Arizona Republic
January 23, 2011

Need Help with Your Resolutions?

Whether it's getting your home, office or time organized, cutting down your debt or your waistline or building up your career or portfolio, there's a coach of some kind (or several kinds) out there to prod you toward your goals....

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ Professionals]
What they do: Take an overall view of your financial life, from managing your investments to saving, budgeting, getting properly insured, managing debt and financial risk, as well as estate planning. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] are registered and must pass a roster of courses and exams, and are subject to discipline through their own national Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Brian J. O'Connor
The Detroit News
January 10, 2011

Debt, Unemployment May Demand Bankruptcy
Once you have a job and come to terms with your debts, you need to get serious about saving for the future…. I recommend you use a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] for guidance and encouragement.

Steve Bucci
Bankrate.com
January 6, 2011

Successful Transitions to a Career in Financial Planning
Whether you are thinking about what to do now that you have that undergrad degree or whether you are planning to switch careers, becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional will put you in a premier position with the expertise and training necessary for success. In addition to a high level of knowledge and experience in the field, a CFP® designation means you are dedicated to a client centered code of ethics a real plus in today's financial climate where trust is an important factor.

Jean Newton
The Mercury News (San Jose, CA)
December 6, 2010

Glossary of Credentials for Financial Advisers
If you're looking for general financial planning and advice, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification] is the gold standard.

Rose Pastore
MarketWatch
November 15, 2010

How to Find Retirement Savings Advice You Can Trust
Find a true professional. If you are ready to pay for professional help, your first order of business should be to locate a financial adviser who is certified. In the financial planning world, the key designation is being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional]. Having this designation means that the adviser has a college degree, has passed an exam, meets annual education requirements, and would face disciplinary action if they violate board regulations and ethics standards. To find certified advisers, visit cfp.net, and do a search for someone in your area.

Phil Taylor
USNews.com
October 8, 2010

How To Pick The Right Financial Planner
The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards' database is a good place to start. Those listed have completed coursework and exams necessary to secure the CFP® designation and the ongoing education necessary to maintain it.

Liz Davidson and Susan Bradley
Forbes.com
September 3, 2010

Use Savings in CDs to Pay Off House?
Since you are considering some financial matters, I suggest that you try to get an overall perspective of where you are, where you want to be and what to do with the answer. For this I recommend a really good financial planner. The minimum credential I'd look for when searching for someone is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], or CFP[® certification].

Steve Bucci
Bankrate.com
August 30, 2010

How to pick a team of financial pros
If you want an investment expert, a broker could be all you need. But if you want someone to offer a comprehensive evaluation of your overall financial picture — from estate considerations to retirement planning to taxes — you should look for a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional].

Karin Price Mueller
The Star-Ledger
August 26, 2010

Considering Early Retirement? Mellody Hobson's Tips for Social Security Benefits
If you need a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] to help you with Social Security and your retirement savings, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., is the best place to start. The website will help you find a planner in your area.

Mellody Hobson
ABCNews.com/Good Morning America
August 18, 2010

Saving for retirement in your 50s
Getting some professional advice about saving for retirement never hurts. Seek out a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] and ask for help setting and achieving your retirement goals.

Mitch Strohm
Bankrate.com
August 5, 2010

Should Young People See a Financial Planner?
Most young people who are just starting out don't have a lot of money to save or invest – much less pay a professional to advise them on how to save and invest. But some experts say financial guidance at a young age is worth the cost.... Online resources can help you find a reputable financial planner. A good place to start is The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards' website, where you can search for planners in your area who are certified by the CFP Board. The search results will note if a particular planner has been publicly disciplined by the Board. A scary truth is that anyone can call himself or herself a financial planner so it pays to double-check what you're told with organizations that issue credentials.

Katy Marquardt
US News & World Report
August 5, 2010

Cave-In on Managing the Money Managers
One thing I can tell you is that anyone with the CFP® mark at the end of her name has put in hundreds of hours studying concepts important to your personal finances – along with many she'll never use again. (Distributable net income, anyone?) She's also racked up three years of experience, another requirement to gain the designation.

Of these 62,000 certified planners, the ones I've met take what they do very seriously. And their governing board of standards and continuing education requirements make clear their duty is to put the client's interests first.

Brent Huntsberger
The Oregonian
July 24, 2010

Fiduciary: The F-Word a Year Later
Once again, here are the 5 questions that you should ask any financial professional....

4) What is your training in this subject matter? I know plenty of stock brokers who are great at what they do, but have never had formal training. Similarly, there are credentialed folks who stink. That said, I would prefer to know up front whether someone has worked hard and diligently to attain a degree or designation and continues to fulfill ongoing continuing education requirements.

Designations include: CFP[® professional] (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional]), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), or CPA (Certified Public Accountant). The CFP[® certification] is the one that indicates a holistic approach to planning and personal financial management, but the other two are equally rigorous.

Jill Schlesinger
CBS’ MoneyWatch.com
May 24, 2010

Have a Plan for Your Financial Planner
If you’ve decided to work with a financial planner, start with the basics: Find out how the professional is licensed, check that they’re in good standing, and ask how they’re compensated so you’re aware of any potential conflicts of interest. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] are ethically bound to operate on a fiduciary standard, meaning they have promised to do what’s in your best interest.

Sarah Morgan
SmartMoney.com
May 20, 2010

Dispelling Five Myths About Financial Planners
Myth No. 4: Certification letters after the person's name mean nothing.
If you are looking for an advisor, give extra credit to those who have designations such as the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification]. To become a CFP[® professional], an advisor must put in hundreds of hours of studying in order to pass a grueling 10-hour exam. Furthermore, members are required to undergo background checks, agree to a code of ethics and do continuing education to keep the certification.

While hiring a CFP[® professional] is no guarantee of performance, it's a good indication that the financial professional is legit.

Forbes.com
April 14, 2010

Even the Best Investors Need This
I don't care if you pick stocks better than Warren Buffett. To achieve all of your dreams, there's one thing you have to have -- and to get it, you really need to consider talking to a professional.

Unfortunately, you can't assume that just any financial professional will fit the bill. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional]s, on the other hand, are governed by a code of ethics that assures you that they're on your side. More importantly, they don't just know about investing -- they'll also guide you on everything from taxes and estate planning to budgeting and buying the right insurance.

Dan Caplinger
The Motley Fool
March 31, 2010

Not all Financial Planners Made Equal: How to Choose the Right One
It doesn’t take much to get a business card that says, Financial Planner. In fact, during the recession, many people have turned to the profession. However, CFP[® professional]s distinguish themselves because they must have a minimum of three years experience in the field, have passed a rigorous slate of exams to receive certification and are obligated to uphold ethical standards. Only about a quarter of planners have CFP[® marks of] distinction.

Rana Cash
Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Atlanta Bargain Hunter Blog
January 5, 2010

Financial Adviser Red Flags
There are lots of designations for advisers -- the ones that mean the most are: CFP[® certification, also known as] CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification,] awarded by the CFP Board of Standards; and NAPFA, the National Association of Personal Financial advisers, a group of advisers who don't accept commissions for selling investment products, but work for fees paid by their customers.

Gerri Willis
CNN Money
December 22, 2009

Barron’s Magazine 2009 List of Top 100 Independent Advisors
More than half of the Barron’s magazine list of “Top 100 Independent Advisors” for 2009 are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals. In the Barron’s annual ranking, which reflects the volume of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, revenues generated for the firms and the quality of the advisors' practices, 52 of the 100 are CFP® certificants. The recognition of these individuals’ exceptional performance and dedication to clients reflects well on the CFP® certification.

How to choose a financial planner
Check expertise against your needs. “An orangutan could call themselves a financial planner,” says [Meg] Green, who is both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant] and registered investment advisor. The designation of “CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™]” means the advisor has been vetted by an independent board, agreed to abide by its code of ethics and has at least three years of financial planning experience, among other requirements, says [Howard] Kramer[, CFP®, president of the Financial Planning Association of Broward].

Nirvi Shah
The Miami Herald
September 27, 2009

New Year Resolution: Hiring a Financial Planner
I think you should be talking to a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant]. A CFP[® certificant] to be licensed must have passed a comprehensive exam that covers the key aspects of financial planning. They must have experience in the financial planning field prior to receiving the right to use the CFP[® mark] after their name even if they have passed the exam.

Dee Lee
WBZ (Boston radio station)
September 11, 2009

Who gets to manage your money?
Especially in confusing times, an adviser who earns your trust can help you earn a profit. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™] can fill those shoes. Folks with the CFP[®] designation must successfully complete the CFP Board’s comprehensive examination, which tests knowledge on a number of planning topics. They must abide by the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics, obtain 30 hours of continuing education every two years, and meet other requirements.

Sheryl Nance-Nash
The Faster Times
September 3, 2009

Suitability – Where Brokers Fail (A Roundtable Discussion)
Mark Lowlicht, CFP®: “I think it is important to understand regardless of whether you are acting as a fiduciary or not it is impossible to remove all conflicts of interest, however the fiduciary standard increases the likelihood of reducing the abuse of these conflicts. As a CFP[® certificant], I believe one of the most important issues for fairness to the client is full disclosure. This is a requirement of the Certified Financial Plann[er] Board of Standards.

Forbes.com
June 24, 2009

Nipping the Next Madoff in the Bud
As it turns out, there are surprisingly efficient and economic ways to vet financial professionals and the outfits that employ them, for a history of blunders--or worse.... Many financial advisers hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™] credential issued by the CFP Board of Standards, a private agency in Washington, D.C., which also offers online searching.

William P. Barrett
Forbes.com
July 1, 2009

CNBC Exclusive with Sallie Krawcheck
Sallie Krawcheck (former Citi Wealth Management CEO): Something that hasn’t really gotten much attention in the Obama white paper that I think is actually quite an important point is having the Wall Street firms that deal with the individual investor take fiduciary responsibility as opposed to the broker-dealer responsibility of suitability. Fiduciary, I do the best thing for the client. Broker-dealer, I do what’s suitable for you.

Becky Quick (CNBC Squawk Box Co-Anchor): That’s what CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] have, right?.

Krawcheck: That’s exactly right. Now, there’s been this difference between the two for years that the investor didn’t even really realize was there.

Squawk Box, CNBC
July 23, 2009

Wary Investors Are Seeking Out Objective Voices
While most independents call themselves “advisers,” they aren’t all required to adhere to the same fiduciary standards. As a result, the degree to which each must put a client’s interests before his or her own can vary. The upshot, says Marilyn Dimitroff, chairwoman of the board of directors of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc., is that “the public is so confused.”

To find an adviser with specific skills, look for certain credentials. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant] must complete courses in investments, taxation, estate planning and insurance. They also must pass a two-day exam, have at least three years of experience, and comply with ethical standards that require them to put a client’s interests ahead of their own.

Anne Tergesen and Jane J. Kim
The Wall Street Journal
July 29, 2009

Finding Financial Advice in an Age of Bad Behavior
Credentials, [unlike memberships], are things like the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, which requires those who have it to pass a difficult exam. A Certified Public Accountant counts here, too. You can’t just pay to get these letters after you name; you have to earn them.

Ron Lieber
New York Times
June 5, 2009

Tips for the Budget-Phobic
The term [“buckets budgeting”] may be relatively new, but “the strategy isn’t different in many ways, conceptually, from some older ones,” says Eleanor Blayney, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ [professional] and consumer advocate for the Certified Financial Planner Board [of Standards]. Really, this is a modern update on “envelope budgeting” where housewives would divvy up the cash to run the household into different envelopes, says Ms. Blayney. “Bucket budgeting is like budgeting lite,” says Marilyn Spencer, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ [professional] with Rinehart and Associates in Charlotte, N.C. An itemized budget will provide a more accurate take on your finances, but for those with little time, bucketing “is a way of fooling yourself into thinking you have less money than you do,” says Ms. Spencer. “It’s a way of erecting a barrier between money that is to be used for one thing and money that is to be used for something else,” says Ms. Blayney.

Anna Prior
Wall Street Journal
June 1, 2009

Checking Out Your Financial Advisor
For Free: Many financial advisors hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ credential issued by the CFP Board of Standards, a private agency in Washington, D.C. that also offers online searching.

Emily Lambert
Forbes Magazine
June 2009

10 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor
“The first question most people ask financial planners is ‘What has your performance been?’” says Eleanor Blayney, CFP® and president of Direction$, LLC. Of the approximately 300,000 practitioners who claim to offer financial planning in this country, only about 60,000 have passed the examination, subscribed to the code of ethical conduct and accumulated the years of experience necessary to earn the CFP® designation. “Clients need to understand that’s really beside the point. Financial planning is not synonymous with investment advice,” Blayney says. Think of your planner as your “financial coach,” Blayney says, “a generalist who can put all the pieces together.”

Rosalind Resnick
Entrepreneur.com
May 26, 2009

Planning a Cost-Effective Job Search
Get advice on finances, taxes and possible legal issues: There’s nothing better than going into an exit interview with a plan to put yourself in the best situation possible when you lose your job. You might start by talking with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a tax expert about any spending, saving or tax specifics you should focus on now as a way to blunt the damage from lost income later.

Brian Smith
The Huntsville Item (Texas)
May 14, 2009

Find a Financial Adviser You Can Trust
Ask yourself some questions. Start with this one: What kind of advice are you actually looking for? Do you want someone to take an in-depth look at whether you're on track for retirement and, if not, lay out a plan that can help you better prepare? In that case you may need a CFP[® certificant] or CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional].

Walter Updegrave
Money Magazine
May 5, 2009

Help Wanted: Advisors Under 50
10 Things You Need To Become A Financial Advisor
A client seeking out an advisor wants to see a qualification demonstrating technical expertise. The CFP[® certification] is the best recognized. Learn more about how to become a CFP® professional here.

Joshua Lipton
Forbes.com
April 20, 2009

Seven Questions to Ask When Picking a Financial Adviser
1. What's in the adviser's background?
Investors can find more information about advisers, including education and work history, at the Web sites of organizations such as the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (www.CFP.net).

Shelly Banjo
Wall Street Journal
April 13, 2009

Better Business Bureau Advice on Finding a Financial Planner You Can Trust
“Look for Credentials that Matter: There are many credentials that financial planners tack onto their names—with varying degrees of legitimacy. One important acronym to look out for is CFP which stands for ‘Certified Financial Planner.’ A CFP[® professional] has passed a rigorous exam and is required to pursue continuing education credits.
 
Don’t be sold by a slick pitch: A CFP[® professional] is required to put the client’s financial needs first and above his or her own.”

Better Business Bureau
March 3, 2009

How To Find A Financial Planner
“[Marc Lowlicht, an adviser with Further Lane Asset Management] believes people looking for top to bottom financial planning should go with a Certified Financial Planner, a title awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of the United States. The board puts advisers through rigorous education and testing....
 
[Lowlicht:] If you want to increase your odds of getting a planner who understands the planning process and the investment process, somebody who's gone through the rigorousness of the [CFP® exam] test will increase your odds of finding the right type of planner.”

David Serchuk and Michael Maiello
Forbes.com
March 5, 2009

How to Spot the Next Bernie Madoff
Check up on your adviser: Verify your adviser's academic credentials and professional certifications. For instance, if the adviser claims to be a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], check with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Laura Cohn
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
March 2009

Need financial advice? Consider a professional
You have several options. Depending on your interest and experience, you can try to educate yourself on financial matters. Many investors are able to manage their own finances with little or no professional help.
With that said, many need help these days. In theory, you probably could fix and maintain your car, too. But that would take study, knowledge and experience. And that's why most people decide to take their car to a mechanic. And that may be what's necessary for you.
If you have a simple portfolio, and this is your only holding, you might consider finding a fee-only financial planner who can study your finances and give you ideas on what to do in this instance. Otherwise, you might look to form a relationship with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant] who can advise you over time.
If you need help finding a financial planning professional, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards offers a lookup service here: http://www.CFP.net/search/.

Matt Krantz
USA Today
January 30, 2009

Financially Thinking: Can you trust your financial adviser?
The most respected financial planning credential is the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification].

Elaine B. Morgillo, CFP®
Seacoast (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
January 18, 2009

Hire Callings: 14 Things Every Job Seeker Should Do
"Crunch your numbers.... Don't try to do this by yourself. You need to get some competent advice, because you need to determine your short-, medium- and long-term priorities, and what expenses absolutely have to be paid, what can be delayed and what can be renegotiated without compromising your credit or long-term financial health."
 
Eleanor Blayney, consumer advocate, Certified Financial Planner Board [of Standards]

Brian Moore
New York Post
January 9, 2009

What Investing Pros Are Doing to Their Stock Portfolios in 2009
"Kevin Keller, CEO, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards: Not surprisingly, the guy who runs the organization that certifies financial planners has his own financial planner. Her advice, Keller says, is 'try not to make long-term life decisions based on a short-term financial crisis.'"

John Waggoner
USA Today
January 6, 2009

Resolution: Be More Frugal in 2009
"Get help. If the above work overwhelms you, or your finances have become too much to handle, a professional can help get you on track or make recommendations to fix what’s broken. Visit www.CFP.net to find an adviser who adheres to the highest ethics in financial advising."

Dan Serra
McClatchy Tribune News Service
December 31, 2008

About Financial Planners: What You Need to Know
"First things first: Anyone can use the title financial planner. It’s not quite like being lawyer, where state bar associations decide who gets to practice law. As a result, all sorts of accountants and insurance agents refer to themselves as financial planners.... If you’re looking for a complete, wide-ranging analysis of your financial standing, a CFP[® certificant] is the person to see."

Ron Lieber
New York Times
December 23, 2008

Regulation Could Be Recession's Silver Lining
"I'm encouraged that the nation's three major financial planning organizations -- the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, the Financial Planning Association, and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors -- have said they are working together to promote more consumer protections.... One thing the government can do to regulate the financial planning industry is get rid of the litany of three-letter alphabet-soup designations and require one certification. Currently, there is no one government-sanctioned standard or accreditation process for the profession. Anybody and their mama can call themselves a "financial planner...." A federally regulated and licensed designation for financial planners should make clear that a planner has the fiduciary responsibility to look out for your best financial interest -- not the planner's bottom line.... Many financial planners are doing right by their customers. But when the recession ends -- and it will -- and the stock market begins to recover, people should be able to get financial planning advice from someone with three letters behind his or her name that would help reduce fraud, incompetence and conflict of interest."

Michelle Singletary
The Washington Post
December 11, 2008

Financial Career Options
"Generally, financial planners with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification] are the most in-demand, as they must obtain three years of financial-planning experience, pass several exams (including a two-day, 10-hour case-study exam) and meet continuing-education requirements."

David Kochanek
Forbes
December 10, 2008

Best Small Business to Start: Financial Adviser
"How do you get started? [Eric] Wikstrom says that, at a minimum, one should be certified as a financial planner. In order to get certified by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and pass a 10-hour examination on nearly 100 different topics related to finance."

Matthew Bandyk
US News & World Report
November 13, 2008

Working as a Financial Adviser
"Certifications aren't required to advise clients. Still, many advisers obtain them — including the popular CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification] — to boost their credibility with clients and employers. Certification ‘shows you're qualified [and] trustworthy,’ says [Stephen] Horan."

Sarah E. Needleman
Wall Street Journal
November 18, 2008

Tips for Finding a Financial Adviser
"Two of the best-known designations are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], or CFP[® certification], and chartered financial consultant, or ChFC. 'Now, hands down, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification] is the preferred designation,' said Randy Guttery, associate dean for graduate programs at the University of North Texas, who is himself a ChFC. 'Only 3 percent of financial planners are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals]. It’s no guarantee, but they’ve crossed a threshold 97 percent haven’t.'"

John Austin
Boston Herald
October 21, 2008

"Get Your Finances Ready for Retirement"- Choosing A Financial Planner For Your Retirement Needs
"It's true anyone can call himself or herself a financial planner, so that doesn't count for much. Being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] carries more weight, because it indicates the adviser has had extensive education and passed stringent tests."

Joe Collum
PBS Nightly Business Report
October 13, 2008

How to Find a Financial Planner
"In general, an adviser should have the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], which is awarded by the nonprofit … Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. The title indicates the individual has met CFP [Board's] education, examination, and experience requirements and has agreed to adhere to the organization's code of ethics."

Kerry Hannon
US News & World Report
October 1, 2008

What the Financial Market Meltdown Means for You:
How to Weather the Current Turmoil on Wall Street
"Seek out someone who has the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, to know that your planner has spent the time and energy to be educated about the subject matter. Find someone who has years of experience dealing with other people in circumstances similar to yours. Meet with the planner and understand very clearly how they will be compensated for the advice that they supply, and know what services will be provided to you over the years. Trust is one of the most important elements in your relationship with a financial professional."

Barbara A. Warner, CFP®
Washington Post
September 19, 2008

Some Advice on Getting Good Advice
"Which questions should you ask? Experts pinpoint four critical topics — credentials, experience with clients whose situations are comparable to yours, personal chemistry and the payment method.

Financial advisers and planners are not regulated by any government agency, but the industry has developed two sets of commonly used qualifications, one for a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant], or CFP[® certificant], and the other for a chartered financial analyst, or CFA, who in addition to giving financial advice manages investments. Both require passing tests administered by industry-run boards."

Fran Hawthorne
New York Times
September 10, 2008

Personal Finance: Finding the Right Advisor
"The financial planning industry has gotten better. Or at least cleaner, as more practitioners and regulators have bumped up the bar on who can claim to be an advisor.

Most recently, the board which governs CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificants] (CFP[® certificants]) has raised their standards. As of July 1, 2008, anyone calling themselves a CFP[® certificant] 'shall at all times place the interest of the client ahead of his or her own,' the new rules state. When CFP[® certificants] are actually offering planning services including recommending investment products, they must offer the same 'duty of care of a fiduciary' which holds them to act in the best interest of the client. 'We think the CFP[® mark] is the gold standard,' says Kevin Keller, head of the CFP Board of Standards. CFP[® certificants] must also undergo rigorous education, continuous education and testing requirements.

Competence counts, too. It's not all about the fees. There are plenty of honest, unconflicted, and not very talented advisors out there. Looking for a good certification, such as the CFP[®] designation (CFP.net), insures that the person you hire has carefully studied the subjects."

Linda Stern
Reuters News Service
September 10, 2008

Do Your Homework to Find a Financial Planner
"CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificants] must pass an exam and demonstrate advanced education and experience. Some sell commission-based products and others offer fee-based services. Check them out at brokercheck.finra.org. The CFP [Board] code of ethics is at CFP.net; you can check individuals' standing (including disciplinary actions) at CFP.net/search."

Karen E. Klein
Newsday
August 23, 2008

Getting a CFP[® Certification]
"I'm a fan of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. From my experience as a journalist, plus knowing several friends that got a CFP[® certification], it gives the practitioner a very broad overview of household finances. The CFP[® certification] offers the kind of broad background that will enable you to deal with everything from managing a portfolio to dealing with long-term care insurance to philanthropic gift giving."

Chris Farrell
publicradio.org
August 22, 2008

How to Choose the Best Financial Adviser
“You may want to restrict your search to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificants]. These professionals have passed certain exams and have a particular amount of experience as determined by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. The organization offers a searchable database of CFP[® certificants] by location.

Before meeting with any of the planners on your list, check the CFP [Board] database to see whether they have been the subject of any complaints or disciplinary actions. Those with spotty records may warrant being crossed off your list.”

Peter McDougall
TheStreet.com - San Francisco Bureau
August 22, 2008

5 Signs It's Time to Fire Your Financial Planner
“Choosing a planner or adviser wisely to start with can help head off the hassle of having to fire one. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards has a list on its Web site of 10 questions to ask when choosing a planner, including queries about experience, qualifications, services offered, approach, cost and whether another person may be working with you. It also tells how to check on someone's disciplinary history with any of five regulatory agencies.”

Dave Carpenter
Associated Press
August 6, 2008

Make Sure Adviser Is Legit
“And do a quick search if the person claims to be a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant]. Use the CFP [Board] database to verify whether the person holds the CFP® designation, and find out if the CFP Board has taken any disciplinary action against the person. CFP[® certificants] must meet rigorous education, testing and ethics requirements to maintain the designation.”

Kimberly Lankford
Kiplinger.com
August 4, 2008

Common Cents
“Finding the right financial planner is extremely important because your choice will probably affect your financial future. It's important to look for a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] — they have the highest level of professionalism in providing financial advice.”

Deborah and Hal McNaughton
Christianity Today International/Marriage Partnership
Summer 2008

'Fee-Based' Financial Planner Can Charge Commission
“Starting Jan. 1, the CFP Board will begin enforcing stricter professional standards. Under the new language, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant] 'shall at all times place the interest of the client above his or her own.'”

Jeffrey Lambert, CFP®
Sacramento Bee
July 6, 2008

Hot Job: Financial Planner
“With people called on to cover the ever-increasing cost of college educations, figure out financial issues for aging relatives and manage their own retirement investments, the need for financial planning services is rising. At the same time, more people are going into the profession, with the number of those receiving the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation rising by 6 percent a year, according to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards in Washington, D.C.
 
When it comes to passing the 10-hour exam and meeting other requirements to merit that optional but highly regarded designation, Carol Lee Roberts, managing director of education and examination for the standards board, said she sees especially fast growth in the 30- to 39-year-old age group. Of the close to 60,000 planners with such credentials nationwide, at least 20 percent fall into that age range.”

Patricia Kitchen
Newsday
June 23, 2008

Pick a Planner Who Can Spell ‘Fiduciary’
“Find out what experience and education your planner has. A minimum, say the experts, is a degree as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional], which means the adviser has a certain level of education and experience, as well as attends continuing education classes. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professionals] are also bound by a code of ethics that includes fiduciary duty.”

Alina Tugend
New York Times
April 26, 2008

Picking the Right Planner Is a Complicated Process: Knowing What to Look for Requires You to Do Some Homework
“The term 'financial planner' can be used by almost anyone and is often mistaken for those who truly can use the [marks] 'CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™' or CFP® because they have had extensive education, testing, experience and certification.”

Terry Savage
Chicago Sun-Times
April 21, 2008

More to Consider Before Picking a Broker
“Make sure what you need is a broker and not a financial planner. A financial planner should work with you on all your assets and liabilities, not just your investment portfolio.... investigate the possibility of working with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional]. It's a designation that the planner has had a rigorous training, passed a minimum competency exam, and keeps up with the required continuing education.”

Chris Farrell
Minneapolis Star Tribune
April 12, 2008

Planners Wanted ASAP
“The credible planners will have at least one of three designations on their business cards: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] (CFP[® marks are] the best-known credential), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC, for planners who use insurance to reach financial goals) or Personal Financial Specialists (PFS, held by certified public accountants). All three will have taken serious courses and passed difficult exams.”

Jane Bryant Quinn
Newsweek
March 3, 2008

Do You Need Insurance for Long-Term Care?
“Don’t choose a policy solely on the seller’s recommendation. Get a second opinion from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] or an elder-law attorney.”

Lynn Brenner
Parade
February 17, 2008

Money Smart - Find the Right Financial Adviser
“Ask about education and certifications, like CFP[® certification] (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification]) or ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant), which require continuing education.”

Sharon Epperson
USA Weekend
February 2, 2008

“Many Americans find themselves wondering how to find the right financial advisor, says Joseph Borg, past president of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and director of the Alabama Securities Commission…. Watch out for fancy degrees or titles. Many aren't worth much, (although) degrees such as CFP[® certification] or ChFC are recognized as being earned by someone who has put in the time to study.”

USA Today
January 19, 2008

Discuss Long-Term Care Issues Before Parents Have Problem
“Step back and evaluate: If you find that the conversations aren't going well, examine your own approach to see what might be the problem. You might suggest that your parents talk with a third party - an estate planner (see www.aaepa.com), a financial adviser (www.CFP.net) or a lawyer (www.naela.com) - if you think that they could use some expert assistance.”

Jim Miller
Las Vegas Review Journal
December 30, 2007

“I like the CFP[® certification] since it implies a level of comprehensive education into the whole financial planning process--and that's what you need rather than a broker or life insurance agent.”

Chris Farrell
Publicradio.org
November 5, 2007

How to Check Out an Adviser
“It's also a good idea to check out the person's professional designations. It's easy to verify whether a person really holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], which has rigorous education, testing and ethics requirements. Go to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards site [www.CFP.net/search] to verify that the person really holds the CFP[® certification] and find out if the CFP Board has taken any disciplinary action against that person.”

Kimberly Lankford
Kiplinger.com
October 18, 2007

"When money managers claim to have some designation (e.g., CFP[® certification]) or belong to a professional association (e.g., NAPFA), check with those organizations to see if they really are members and if there have been any complaints. 'Many designations are meaningless, created by folks looking to charge advisors thousands of dollars for the right to put a few initials after their names; there is little education or certification involved,' says Robert [Brokamp]. 'The gold standards are CFP[® certification] (for financial planners) and CFA (for investment analysts). They are the real deal.'"

Tim Beyers
The Motley Fool
September 13, 2007

"You want someone who is a 'CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[trade; professional]' at absolute minimum. This designation means the adviser has undergone rigorous testing on key areas of financial planning, has a bachelor's degree [CORRECTION: Before March 1, financial planners could qualify for certified status without a bachelor's degree if they had five years of experience. The 'Ask the Expert' feature in Act Two on Saturday misstated the requirement. PG. A17 NS; A19 C 9/13/07] or higher and has at least three years of practical work experience. CFP[®] practitioners are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry, and must complete 30 hours' continuing education every two years. They are subject to specific rules and disciplinary procedures and must disclose to clients upfront how they work and how they are compensated."

Karen E. Klein
Newsday
September 8, 2007

"[CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals] maintain a broad-based approach to retirement, education, taxes, insurance, estates and other life issues. Investing is a major part -- but just one part -- of the big picture. 'You can't just be crackerjack on investments and get through the CFP[®] certification exam,' says Karen Schaeffer, a Rockville, Md.-based financial planner and chair of CFP Board, which regulates CFP[®] practitioners. 'It would be hard to do financial planning without understanding investments, but there's a great deal of financial planning that goes on' beyond investment strategies."

Jonathan Burton
Wall Street Journal
July 8, 2007

"Many elderly Americans are receiving financial guidance from advisers with credentials that sound impressive, but can be earned in just a few days.

LESS RIGOROUS CREDENTIALS: Certified Senior Adviser, Certified Retirement Financial Adviser, Registered Financial Gerontologist, Certified Retirement Counselor.

MORE RIGOROUS CREDENTIALS: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certificant], Chartered Financial Analyst"

Charles Duhigg
New York Times
July 8, 2007

"Guidelines to help you determine which financial advisory firms provide true value from those that mostly offer marketing fluff. First, the firm needs to have the knowledge and expertise to successfully manage your financial issues. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification] is becoming the industry benchmark to signify planners who agree to adhere to the highest internationally recognized standards of competence and ethical practices."

Martin Shields
Richmond.com
May 31, 2007

"The most respected financial planning credentials are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification, also known as CFP® certification] and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation for Certified Public Accountants, both of which indicate that the persons holding the marks have extensive experience and have passed comprehensive examinations in tax planning, investments, and estate and retirement planning."

Elaine Morgillo
Seacoastline.com
May 13, 2007

"In addition to standard accreditations such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification, also known as CFP® certification] and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), there's a new crop of titles that cover specialties such as advising senior citizens, choosing alternative investments, and investing with Christian values. Of all the financial planning designations, the one that carries the most clout is CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification]."

Lauren Young
BusinessWeek
February 26, 2007

"Basic financial planning will benefit you whether you're switching employers or careers, going back to school to learn new professional skills, or branching out to be your own boss. After reading the tips below, you may also want to contact a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] to help you tailor your transition strategy."

Tom Musbach
Yahoo! HotJobs
January 9, 2007

"You want to objectively consider three factors: credentials, ethics and business practices. For credentials, "CFP[® certification] is the best for planners."

Marshall Loeb
Marketwatch.com
January 3, 2007

"The financial planning industry is filled with some confusing titles and acronyms. But a 'financial advisor' is to a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional], what 'tax advisor' is to a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The former could be your uncle with the cool software; the latter is someone with serious training and years of experience in the industry. CFP[® certification] is the preferred primary designation."

Dawn McMullan
D Magazine, Dallas, Texas
November 27, 2006

"Educate yourself. The best place to start when considering investments or additional insurance is to get sound advice from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional]."

Elaine Wilson
American Forces Information Service
November 27, 2006

"By and large, in my unhumble opinion, the designation to look for is CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification]."

Warren Boroson
The Daily Record, Morris County, N.J.
October 8, 2006

"Financial planning credentials can look like alphabet soup to a novice, but [Peggy] Cabaniss[, CFP®, past chairwoman of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors] recommends looking for two credentials: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification]...and chartered financial consultant. 'The CFP[® certification] is considered the gold standard,' she said, 'whereas a chartered financial consultant has a focus on insurance.'"

M.P. Dunleavey
The New York Times
September 9, 2006

"Becoming board certified is becoming more important for brokers. The most popular credential...is the CFP[® certification], a badge commonly held by independent financial planners."

Victoria Knight
Dow Jones Newswires
August 28, 2006

"Sitting down with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional] can be one of the most valuable experiences in your financial life. 'Their job is to help you understand where you are, where you want to be and show you the best path how to get there,' said Michael Gutter, a Financial Specialist with the University of Wisconsin Extension."

27 WKOW TV, Madison, Wis.
July 6, 2006

"Most advisers have had little formal financial education. For instance, maybe 5% of brokers, financial planners and insurance agents have bothered to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional], which has become the basic credential for any half-decent adviser. To ensure your adviser is knowledgeable, stick with CFP[® professional]s..."

Jonathan Clements
The Wall Street Journal
May 31, 2006

"Start by looking for someone with broad training in the financial-planning field. The most widely recognized designation for a generalist is [the] CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification], a designation held by some 50,000 people in the U.S., according to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, a group that oversees CFP[® professional]s."

Karen Hube
The Wall Street Journal
April 24, 2006

"For me, [a 'genuine' financial planner] is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ professional]."

Jane Bryant Quinn
Newsweek
February 13, 2006

"Most financial designations aren't subject to state or federal regulation, but are still highly regarded because of the steps needed to earn those initials. Many also are accountable to professional organizations that set ethical standards on members. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER[™ certification] is considered the gold standard in this crowd."

Jeff Opdyke
The Wall Street Journal
January 28, 2006

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