Simply stated, we must act in the best interests of our clients. This responsibility to place our clients’ interest before our own carries with it important duties. Among these duties are loyalty and care, integrity, competence, and the appropriate management of conflicts of interest. Our duties as a fiduciary are enumerated in our Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, which follow the Code of Ethics and Standards of conduct set forth by the CFP Board.
We take our fiduciary responsibility very seriously. You’re the reason we’re here, so we will always do what’s best for you. Whether that’s creating a tailored financial plan that aligns with your goals and behavior, or offering you a cup of coffee during a meeting, we’re always thinking about what’s best for you.
We know that trust isn’t given, it’s earned; and we are committed to earning and maintaining the trust of our clients. Given this, as a starting point to building trust, each one of our advisors is a CFP® professional.
Why Choose a CFP® Professional
Anyone can call themselves a Financial Planner—but are they certified?
Most people think all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true. Just about anyone can use the title “financial planner.” CFP Board benefits the public by independently certifying financial planners. Although CFP Board does not guarantee their work, CFP® professionals have met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Only those who have fulfilled CFP Board’s rigorous requirements can call themselves a CFP® professional.
As part of their certification, CFP® professionals commit to high ethical standards. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can call themselves a CFP® professional.
Your Interests Should Come First
Working with a CFP® professional can help you find the path to achieving your financial goals. Your goals may evolve over the years as a result of shifts in your lifestyle or circumstances such as an inheritance, career change, marriage, house purchase or a growing family. As you begin to consider how best to manage your financial future, you should feel confident knowing that with a CFP® professional, you’re working with someone who has committed to CFP Board, as part of their certification, 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. CFP Board doesn’t guarantee a CFP® professional’s services, but CFP Board may sanction a CFP® professional who does not abide by this commitment.
What Sets a CFP® Apart?
When you hire a CFP® professional, you work with an advisor who has met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Most important, a CFP® professional has made a commitment to CFP Board to act in the best interests of their client.
Financial Planner Without CFP® Certification
- It’s easy for someone to call themselves a financial planner.
- May not be required to put your best interests first.
- Level of financial planning knowledge varies.
- Years of experience varies.
CFP® Professional
- Meets requirements established by CFP Board.
- Makes a commitment to CFP Board, as part of their certification, to place your best interests first. Can receive sanctions from CFP Board, and even risk losing their certification, for violations of ethical standards set by CFP Board.
- Has demonstrated the knowledge required to deliver holistic financial planning.
- Must have a minimum of 2 years of financial planning experience.