Working with a CFP® Professional

Why we believe you should only work with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional:

ETHICS MATTER

When you choose a financial advisor, you’re looking for a partner to help you achieve your goals. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals understand the responsibility of being entrusted with your future, so they choose to commit to a high standard of behavior. To become certified, in addition to meeting education, examination and experience requirements, candidates must make a commitment to the CFP Board to abide by standards set forth in the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. The Code of Ethics lists the principles that guide a CFP® professional’s behavior. The Standards of Conduct elaborate on several “duties” that a CFP® professional must fulfill as part of their certification. The cornerstone of the Code and Standards is a CFP® professional’s duty to act as a fiduciary.

THE CODE OF ETHICS

As part of their certification, a CFP® professional agrees to a Code of Ethics that requires them to:
Act with honesty, integrity, competence and diligence
Exercise due care
Maintain the confidentiality and protect the privacy of client information
Act in the client’s best interests
Avoid or disclose and manage conflicts
Act in a manner that reflects positively on the financial planning profession and CFP® certification.

THE FIDUCIARY DUTY

As part of their certification, a CFP® professional commits to the CFP Board’s Fiduciary Duty. A CFP® professional commits to the CFP Board 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. That means your CFP® professional has made a commitment to:

Place your interests above their own interests, or the interests of their firm.
Avoid conflicts of interest to you, obtaining your informed consent and properly managing the conflict.
Continue to put your interests first, even when acting under a conflict of interest.
Comply with the terms of the client engagement and follow your directions, so long as they are reasonable and lawful.
Act with care, skill, prudence and diligence based on your goals, risk tolerance, objective, financial status and personal circumstances.