Why CFP® Certification?

Top Ten Reasons to Pursue Your CFP® Certification

First, look at the facts:

1. 75% of CFP® professionals say that their CFP® certification has been a major catalyst for their success.¹
2. 89% of CFP® professionals are satisfied with their careers.¹
3. Consumers who use a CFP® professional report much higher satisfaction and are more likely to recommend their advisor to a friend.²
4. 71% of respondents first learned about their financial professional through a recommendation by a family member, friend, or coworker.³
5. 74% of consumers who have used a financial planner are aware of the CFP® certification marks.²
6. The CFP Board is the only one of more than 100 financial planning standard groups that enforces its code of ethics.⁴
7. The average annual increase in first-year earnings following CFP® certification is 31%.⁵
8. Financial planners with four years of experience as a CFP® professional consistently earn in excess of $200,000 per year.⁶
9. Financial planners with 15 or more years of experience as a CFP® professional consistently earn in excess of $400,000 per year.⁶
10. Financial planning is projected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts overall employment of financial advisers to increase by 30% from 2008 to 2018.

Also, consider what else really matters:

• Inspire confidence in your clients with the CFP Board's Code of Ethics supporting you.
• Help your clients with a comprehensive financial planning approach that involves investment strategies, planning for retirement, income tax considerations, estate planning and risk management.
• Assist your clients with a wider range of financial issues, regardless of market conditions.
• Attract the most desirable clients with multiple assets to manage.
• Benefit from higher assets under management per family, per client.
• Win the business when potential clients consider you and other financial planners who don't have the credential.
• Limit your liability...you will be more likely to develop customized plans based on sound financial principles.
• Boost your credibility with other professionals, such as administrators, attorneys and CPAs who refer business to you.

The in-depth knowledge and increased credibility gained from your CFP® certification will help you build solid relationships with your clients. Higher-quality clients are the bottom line goal. Higher-quality clients refer other sought-after clients. Quite simply, your practice will grow and prosper as a result.

How Our Programs Work

Earn your CFP® certification in just nine months. Visit the How Our Program Works page to learn more.

¹CFP Board 2008 Certificant Survey
²Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards' 2004 General Market Consumer Survey
³2009 National Consumer Survey on Personal Finance
⁴Investment News, March 10, 2010
⁵College for Financial Planning 2008-2009 Survey of Trends in the Financial Planning Industry
⁶College for Financial Planning 2007 Survey of Trends in the Financial Planning Industry