Good to Know

Reducing your debt does not mean the problem is over. Debt reduction without a constituted management plan may create a permanent risk in your financial security, as stated by Eleanor Blayney, CFP, a Consumer Advocate of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Blayney encourages American families to have a more thoughtful approach to debt…

In the past few years, through extensive research, the CFP Board identified a need to better educate the general public about the need for financial planning and the unique advantages that can be provided by CFP certificants. In response to this need, the CFP Board has undertaken a large advertising and awareness effort to inform…

Styles of Learning: Online vs. In-class Visual vs. Auditory Self-paced vs. Scheduled In our normal conversations with both prospective students and current students, it is abundantly clear that we all learn in different ways.  That was brought very clearly to my attention in two phone calls I had one afternoon.  The first student, whom we…

Even in this difficult market, the demand for qualified financial professionals doesn’t change.  Both the consumer and firm are continually seeking individuals who can bring proven knowledge and application – the kind found in the CFP® Certification. And if you happen to be living in or near any of the 10 cities listed in a recent…

The CFP certification continues to gain ground as a standard in the financial services industry for not only those already in the financial services business, but career changers as well. Within the past week, the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics updated their Occupational Outlook Handbook noting an extremely positive job outlook for Financial Planners.…

In order to earn CFP® certification, a person must have a bachelor’s degree, pass an accredited CFP educational program, pass the national CFP Board exam, and meet the 3-year work experience requirement.  For a person not currently working in the financial services industry, a common question is, “How does one go about getting the proper experience?”…

One of the great benefits of the CFP® Certification is the number of doors it opens in terms of a career path.  While the traditional financial planner is what most people associate with a CFP® Certificant, there are many jobs in the financial services industry you’ll see certificants working in.  Below we’ve listed a few…

A common question asked by both students enrolled in our CFP® certification educational program and those considering the CFP® certification relate to the earnings potential of Financial Advisors. A recent article in the Registered Rep discusses the earnings upside of nearly 30% for Financial Advisors obtaining the CFP® certification. With evidence of increased earnings for…

Financial planners should take note that the IRS recently announced inflation adjustments for 2012. In addition to increasing personal exemptions, standard deductions, and widening the tax brackets for income taxes, this will also raise the estate tax applicable exclusion amount to $5,120,000 (up from $5,000,000). The annual exclusion for gifts, however, will remain unchanged at…