October Is National Financial Planning Month — See How CFP® Professionals Are Making a Difference

National Financial Planning Month is an opportunity to recognize how thoughtful, comprehensive planning can help people feel more confident about their financial futures. CFP® professionals are making that difference every day by helping individuals and families clarify their goals, prepare for the unexpected and make informed decisions through every stage of life.

CFP Board’s Trust. Confidence. Impact: 2025 Financial Planning Longitudinal Study shows the real-world impact of that guidance. Among households advised by CFP® professionals, 94% feel confident in their ability to achieve their financial goals, 83% have emergency savings covering three months of expenses and 61% have a will in place — significantly higher results than those reported by households working with other advisors or managing finances on their own.

CFP® Professionals Earn Higher Client Satisfaction and Trust

The findings reveal notable differences in clients’ relationships with their advisors. Nearly 3 in 4 (73%) clients have strong trust in their CFP® professional, compared to just 52% for other advisors. Two-thirds (62%) of CFP® professional-advised Americans say they are very satisfied with their advisor's role, versus 44% of those working with other advisors. Americans also say their CFP® professional helps reduce financial anxiety (59%) and motivates them to reach financial planning goals (54%). In comparison, those working with other advisors report these benefits at rates of 38% and 34%, respectively.

This satisfaction may stem from deeper relationships: 60% of CFP® professional clients say their advisor makes an effort to learn about their family and values, compared to 41% of those with other advisors.

Holistic Planning Covers More Life Stages and Financial Areas

Financial plans managed by CFP® professionals cover nearly twice as many critical planning areas compared to other advisors. This holistic approach shows up across multiple dimensions, with CFP® professional clients significantly more likely to receive detailed guidance in investment and retirement planning, estate planning, and risk management and insurance.

“We’re seeing that the benefits of working with a CFP® professional are holding steady in year two,” said Kevin Roth, Ph.D., Managing Director of Research at CFP Board. “As we track these households in the years ahead, we'll deepen our understanding of how CFP® professionals influence financial outcomes at every stage of life.”

How Can You Earn CFP® Certification and Build Stronger Client Relationships?

Get an overview of the CFP® certification process here and identify your next step. CFP® certification makes a difference, often leading to higher salaries for advisors as well as better outcomes for clients. Don’t wait — make CFP® certification one of your goals for 2026!