A commitment to professionalism
We believe education is invaluable to making sound financial decisions – both for you, the investor, and for us as your advisor. As we keep up with the evolving regulations and nuances of the financial services industry, we have sought out opportunities to continually hone our expertise and learn new and better ways to serve your needs. When you work with us, you’ll receive the personalized service you’ve come to expect, backed by the knowledgeable guidance of renowned industry organizations.
CFP® - CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM
Most people think that all financial planners are “certified”, but this isn’t true. Anyone can call himself or herself a “financial planner.” Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification marks.
Individuals certified by CFP Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate their professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience and ethical requirements. These standards are called “the four E’s,” and they are four important reasons why the financial planning practitioner you select should display the CFP® certification marks.
When selecting a financial planner, you need to feel confident that the person you choose to help you plan for your future is competent and ethical. The CFP® certification can help to provide that sense of security by allowing only those who meet the following requirements the right to use the CFP® certification marks.
CFP® Certification Requirements: The Four E’s
Education: CFP® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board. Other options for satisfying the education component include submitting a transcript review or previous financial planning-related coursework to CFP Board for review and credit, or showing the attainment of certain professional designations or academic degrees.
Examination: CFP® practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, six-hour CFP® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
Experience: CFP® professionals must have three years’ minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP® certification marks. As a result, CFP® practitioners possess financial counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.
Ethics: As a final step to certification, CFP® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP Board also performs a background check during this process, and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
AAMS® - Accredited Asset Management SpecialistSM
Individuals who hold the AAMS® designation have completed a course of study encompassing investments, insurance, tax, retirement, and estate planning issues. Additionally, individuals must pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations.
All designees have agreed to adhere to Standards of Professional Conduct and are subject to a disciplinary process.
Designees renew their designation every two-years by completing 16 hours of continuing education, reaffirming adherence to the Standards of Professional Conduct and complying with self-disclosure requirements.
CRPC® - Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM
A Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor has in-depth knowledge of the needs individual face both before and after retirement, and engages in retirement planning for a variety of important issues, such as sources of retirement income, employer-sponsored retirement plans, tax planning, retirement cash flow, asset management, estate planning and more.
CEPA - Certified Exit Planning Advisor
A CEPA is a professional who specializes in helping business owners develop a plan for transitioning out of their business. A CEPA’s goal is to help business owners maximize value and facilitate a business transition according to their own terms.
To become a CEPA, one must take an exam, adhere to professional conduct requirements, and renew their designation every three years by satisfying the Exit Planning Institute’s requirements regarding continuing education.
