What is a CFP?

A CFP® professional is someone who has earned the Certified Financial Planner™ designation from the CFP board. This credential is a widely respected certification in the financial planning industry, and CFP professionals are trained to help individuals and families manage their finances comprehensively—not just investments. 

To become a CFP® professional, a person must complete what’s often called the “4 Es”:

1. Education – Complete a college-level program in financial planning (covering topics like investments, insurance, retirement, taxes, and financial estate planning) and have at least a bachelor’s degree.
2. Examination – Pass the CFP® exam, a rigorous, multi-hour test that measures a candidate’s ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations.
3. Experience – Have several years of relevant professional financial planning experience.
4. Ethics – Agree to follow the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, which includes putting the client’s interests first per the fiduciary standard.

CFP® professionals are held to a fiduciary standard when managing accounts or making recommendations on qualified retirement assets, meaning they must act in their clients’ best interests.

To learn more about CFPs, visit the official site at the link below.