Certified Financial Planner

Have you seen the new CFP® TV commercial yet (take a look here)? Pretty Interesting.  The commercial is currently airing on stations that include History Channel, Travel Channel, HGTV, ESPN, MSNBC, CNN and Fox News.

The CFP Board, who issues the CFP® designation, is making a new effort to help define what being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ really means.  There are a lot of people that call themselves “Financial Planners,” but only those that have the CFP® designation have satisfied a rigorous set of standards to use the mark.  This includes extensive education, years of experience and a 2-day 10-hour examination covering insurance, investments, retirement, taxes and estate planning.  The CFP Board has also launched a website, www.letsmakeaplan.org,  to help bring clarity to how a CFP® professional can help bring all your individual financial pieces together.  They do a nice job of explaining what you can expect when meeting with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and how you might benefit.

The following is Will’s recent letter to our clients announcing his achievement.

When I joined Financial Symmetry a little over three years ago, I came in with a broad goal of using my extensive experience in accounting and taxation to help others achieve their financial objectives.  It soon became apparent to me, however, that having the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation would enhance my hard earned skills and allow me to better serve our clients.  I am proud to announce that upon completion of an intensive preparation course and diligent self study, I successfully passed the comprehensive national CFP® exam in July.  In the months following I completed the remaining requirements to earn the CFP® designation and now possess the necessary credentials to move into a primary financial advisor role.

To earn the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, candidates must complete what the Board of Standards refers to as the “4 E’s”:

• Education
• Examination
• Experience
• Ethics

In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree, completing a board certified education program, passing the exam, and adhering to a strict code of ethics, candidates must also have completed three years of relevant work experience in an industry related field.  As a licensed Certified Public Accountant I was automatically eligible to apply for the CFP® Certification Examination in lieu of the education requirement.  Thirty hours of continuing education every two years is also required in order to maintain an active CFP® license.

Being part of the team here at Financial Symmetry has enabled me to build upon my experience as a partner in a local CPA firm.  Through working on plan development, personalized investment analysis, and implementing strategies in our high-level client service model, I have added the essential knowledge and skills to move into this new role with our firm.  I look forward to the new challenges and responsibilities that this opportunity presents.

For a complimentary initial consultation with Will Holt, CFP®, CPA,  please contact him at (919) 851-8200 ext. 203 or by email at wholt@financialsymmetry.com.