What is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?
If you are considering hiring a financial advisor, you have probably come across a few acronyms. Unfortunately, these may seem more confusing than helpful. Titles and designations can seem like jargon when you do not know them. And without knowing what they mean, choosing the right financial advisor can feel confusing. One of the most common acronyms you will see when looking for an advisor is CFP, which stands for Certified Financial Planner.
In this article, let’s break down what a CFP is and why it matters when you are deciding who to hire to manage your money.
Table of Contents
What is a CFP?
CFP stands for Certified Financial Planner. While this may sound like just another financial term, it is essential to understand what it truly means.
In simple terms, the CFP is a certification, and any financial advisor who has earned this certification is known as a CFP. However, earning this designation is not easy, which makes CFPs unique and worth hiring.
To become a CFP, one must undergo a rigorous process that involves extensive education, an exam, real-world experience in the industry, and ongoing learning, even while on the job. The CFP certification encompasses a broad range of topics, including investments such as stocks and bonds, as well as insurance, taxes, estate planning, retirement planning, budgeting, and other financial planning areas.
This extensive expertise ensures that when you sit down with a CFP, you are speaking with someone who has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of multiple financial matters. Therefore, everything you need help with can be addressed by a single professional.
While passing the CFP exam is essential, a CFP also requires hands-on experience to earn the designation. This ensures that when you hire a CFP, you get to work with someone who has experience in real-life financial situations. This can greatly enhance your working association.
CFPs are a designation that is recognized and issued by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board). Additionally, they must adhere to a code of ethics established by the CFP Board. They are held to a fiduciary duty, which makes them legally and ethically liable to put your interests ahead of their own.
So, say there is a situation where they are helping you choose between two options, index fund A and index fund B. They are supposed to recommend the one that is best for you, not the one that might pay them more through a commission.
Another thing to note is that obtaining the CFP certification is not a one-time process. To maintain the designation, they must complete continuing education every year. This ensures they stay up to date on tax law changes, market trends, new products, and financial planning strategies. After all, financial rules and tools are always fluctuating, and what better way can there be than to keep studying and keep oneself updated!
When you are thinking about working with a CFP or any financial advisor, for that matter, trust is a big part of the equation. Financial planning is personal. You are sharing details about your income, personal and professional goals, spending habits, and more. Knowing your financial planner has met the necessary standards and is required to put your interests first can give you peace of mind. Plus, the CFP Board makes it easy to verify whether someone actually holds the designation and if their certification is active. This can help you select the right person for the job.
Working with a CFP often feels different because their focus is on long-term planning. They can help you save for a house, plan your retirement, get rid of student loans, build an emergency fund for adverse situations, and even build an estate plan. They are quite multi-functional that way.
Detailed list of qualifications required to become a CFP
Anybody who wishes to become a CFP, must follow four major steps, as listed below:
Step 1: Education
To begin, one requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The good news is that one does not need a degree to sit for the CFP exam; however, they will need to complete it before actually becoming certified.
Alongside this degree, the CFP Board requires the candidate to complete a set of financial planning courses. These classes are designed to cover the core areas that a planner typically deals with, including retirement planning, estate planning, investment management, tax planning and filing strategies, among other relevant topics.
There is also a capstone course that ties everything together. However, if you hold certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or other advanced degrees, you may be eligible to skip certain coursework. But for most people, this step is essential.
Step 2: Experience
Once one has obtained the educational degrees, the next step is getting experience. The CFP Board asks for 6,000 hours of professional financial planning experience. That is roughly three years of full-time work. This experience can come from a range of roles. There is also an apprentice option. If the professional works under the direct supervision of a CFP and follows specific requirements, they may also qualify with 4,000 hours instead of the standard 6,000 hours.
Step 3: Exam
Then comes the dreaded step of all – the time for the exam! The CFP exam is a computer-based test administered across two three-hour sessions, comprising a total of 170 multiple-choice questions. The exam itself costs $925 to register, provided this is done on time. However, a late fee is added in cases of late registration.
The pass rate historically hovers around 60%, indicating that a significant number of people do not pass on the first attempt. While this may not be such great news for financial advisors giving the exam, it is quite wonderful for clients. A pass rate of 60% warrants that only the best qualify to be a CFP, thus ensuring that you receive the best possible guidance when you hire an advisor.
And in case one does not pass the first time, which happens more often than you would think, one can try again. The CFP Board lets candidates retake the exam up to two more times within a 24-month period.
Step 4: Ethics
Even after passing the exam, the CFP Board wants to ensure that the advisor can be trusted with individuals’ money and their financial futures. So, one has to agree to the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Most importantly, it ensures that financial advisors embrace the fiduciary duty to always act in the client’s best interest. The CFP Board also runs a background check.
What do certified financial planners do?
So far, the article has only brushed upon the basics of what CFPs do. Now it is time to dive into the details of CFP areas of financial planning, what these professionals can do, and how hiring them can help you:
a. The whole nine yards of financial planning
CFPs offer comprehensive financial planning, covering a wide range of services, including tax planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, and insurance needs. Instead of hiring different professionals for each area, a CFP can tie it all together under one plan.
So, in a way, you save money by hiring one individual and also do not have to move back and forth between multiple individuals. This can make both you and your wallet happy!
b. Investment guidance
They will help you choose the right investment tools, manage your asset allocation, and rebalance your portfolio as markets and your life change. They can introduce you to suitable products that match your needs and risk appetite. They can ensure the tools you select are tax-efficient and provide a realistic picture of the returns to expect, while always keeping your risk tolerance and long-term goals in mind. Whether you are investing in stocks, bonds, real estate, or commodities, you can discuss ‘em all with a CFP!
c. Protection planning
CFPs can help you figure out what kinds of insurance you need, whether that is life, health, disability, or property coverage. They make sure there are no gaps that could put your future at risk. They can assess your assets, personal situation, family’s needs, and other factors to arrive at a comprehensive decision about your insurance needs.
d. Estate and legacy planning
If passing down wealth is part of your plan, a CFP can work with you to make sure it happens on your terms. They help structure your estate so assets transfer smoothly and according to your wishes. They can also help you if you are on the other side of the fence and receiving an inheritance. In this case, they can help you use your inheritance to your benefit.
e. Financial education
As Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how”. CFPs can educate you. They take the time to explain the “why” of things. Once you understand the why, there is not much you would falter with. CFPs can help make better decisions by empowering you with knowledge. This not only makes you smarter but also offers confidence.
f. Ongoing adjustments
Life changes with time, right? A good CFP does not just hand you a plan and disappear. They help you make adjustments as your circumstances evolve.
How much does it cost to hire a CFP?
When hiring a CFP, the first question on most people’s minds is – How much will it cost me? CFPs charge in different ways, but here’s what you can expect:
On the income side, the CFP Board reports that planners with 5 to 10 years of experience earn a median income of around $150,000. Those with 11 to 20 years of experience typically earn $225,000, while those with over 20 years of experience average around $325,000. These figures provide an indication of the level of expertise you are paying for.
When it comes to actual client fees, CFPs may charge in a few formats:
- A flat fee for a comprehensive financial plan typically ranges from $1,800 to $2,500, depending on the complexity of the service being provided.
- A flat-fee retainer with clients who prefer an ongoing relationship can cost around $4,000 annually.
- Hourly fee for CFPs, if you only need help with specific questions or a short consultation, can range from $250 per hour.
Of course, the final cost will depend on your needs.
Before hiring a CFP
Now that you know what a certified financial planner is, the next step is deciding whether hiring one is right for you. The answer often comes down to two questions:
- Do you need comprehensive financial advice? If you are looking for financial guidance that goes beyond basic budgeting or investing tips, such as retirement planning, tax strategies, inheritance or estate planning, or managing multiple financial goals together, a CFP can be the right fit.
- Does your budget allow for it? Hiring a CFP comes with costs. It is essential to ensure that their fees align comfortably with your budget and that you can make regular payments for ongoing advice and counsel.
If both of these boxes are checked, then working with a CFP can be the right choice for you. But before you move forward, it is important to verify their credentials and background. You can start by checking with trusted organizations like the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) or the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP) to confirm that the planner you are considering is truly CFP® Board-certified.
You can also use the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)’s database to dig deeper into a planner’s qualifications and disciplinary history. Once you have confirmed their certification and reputation, you can use tools like our free advisor match tool or the CFP Board’s “Find a CFP® Professional” search tool to connect with professionals in your area.
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