CFP® Marks in the News

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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