The Center for Financial Planning
The Center for Financial Planning is a distinct initiative of CFP Board, focused on creating a more diverse and sustainable financial planning profession, so that every American has access to competent, ethical financial planning advice.
Mission and vision
The Center's mission is to create a more diverse and sustainable financial planning profession. We envision a future where every American has access to competent and ethical financial planning advice.
View our 2019 Annual Report.
Why the Center
The public's need for competent and ethical financial planning advice has never been greater. However, our profession is not regenerating itself fast enough to meet increased demand, and it does not sufficiently reflect the changing demographics of consumers in the United States. This is a problem for Americans and for financial planning professionals who serve the public. The Center was created to address these issues and advance the profession.
Increase in the number of CFP® professionals under 30 years of age since 2016, for a total of 4,686 in 2019.
New women CFP® professionals in 2019, a record increase in a single year, reaching over 20,000 women CFP® professionals for the first time.
African American and Latinx CFP® professionals in 2019 — more than double the growth rate of all CFP® professionals since 2017.
Our Priorities
We elevate the profession’s value, talent, knowledge and growth through the following initiatives:
Talent pipeline
Cultivating a quality workforce to ensure the profession can recruit and retain the talent it needs to grow.
Diversity & Inclusion
Fostering a more diverse financial planner workforce that reflects the changing demographics of wealth in the United States.
Knowledge for Practice
Building an online body of knowledge for practitioners and elevating the rigor of financial planning as an academic discipline.
Get Involved
The challenges facing the financial planning profession are larger than any one firm, organization or individual, and require a collective effort. Learn how you can become involved with the Center in meaningful and rewarding ways.
Support the center
Make a one-time gift or multi-year pledge to support our programs.
Donate to a Specific Program
Donate to a scholarship fund to support aspiring CFP® professionals or support the Financial Planning Knowledge Center to help build the profession's body of knowledge.
Access and Share Our Resources
Help advance the profession by sharing our guide to career paths, diversity research and "I am a CFP® Pro" campaign within your networks.
Volunteer
Mentor an aspiring CFP® professional or promote the financial planning career within your network.
Support the Center
Your donation supports Center initiatives to advance the financial planning profession.