Working with A CFP®
Working With A CFP®
WHY WORK WITH A CFP? 
WHAT IS THE CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM CERTIFICATION?
CFP® CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Working with a CFP® professional is an important first step toward reaching your financial goals. As part of the certification, these advisors meet rigorous education and experience requirements, and they commit to high ethical and professional standards.
ETHICS MATTER
When you choose a financial advisor, you’re looking for a partner to help you achieve your goals. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals understand the responsibility of being entrusted with your future, so they choose to commit to a high standard of behavior. To become certified, in addition to meeting education, examination and experience requirements, candidates must make a commitment to CFP Board to abide by standards set forth in CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
The Code of Ethics lists the principles that guide a CFP® professional’s behavior. The Standards of Conduct elaborate on several “duties” that a CFP® professional must fulfill as part of their certification. The cornerstone of the Code and Standards is a CFP® professional’s duty to act as a fiduciary.
THE CODE OF ETHICS As part of their certification, a CFP® professional agrees to a Code of Ethics that requires them to:
You want a financial advisor who has made a commitment to you to act as a fiduciary. Therefore, whomever you choose as your financial professional, including a CFP® professional, you should be sure to ask for—and get—a written engagement that requires them to have a fiduciary obligation to you. | THE FIDUCIARY DUTY As part of their certification, a CFP® professional commits to CFP Board’s Fiduciary Duty. A CFP® professional commits to CFP Board that they will act as a fiduciary, and therefore, act in their client’s best interests, at all times when providing financial advice to a client. That means your CFP® professional has made a commitment to CFP Board to:
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A RESPECTED PARTNER
The financial services industry is always evolving, but through it all, the CFP® certification remains a high standard for you to consider when choosing the right financial advisor for your plan.
CFP® certification marks are owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). Individuals certified by CFP Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate their professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the CFP® certification process that includes education, examination, experience and ethical requirements.