What is a Certified Financial Planner?
The Certified Financial Planner is a finance professional that has undergone rigorous education and testing, and is also dedicated to a process of continuing education. Before obtaining this high status, an individual must submit to examination by the International Board of Standards and Practices For Certified Financial Planners. After successfully completing recognized courses and passing the exams, the actual certification is granted. In general, the CFP will possess a high degree of expertise in a wide range of financial matters, with four main disciplines emphasized as part of the certification process. One of the key areas of expertise that a Certified Financial Planner will possess is that of estate planning. Certified Financial Planners will be well versed in all sorts of financial arrangements related to this process. Among the tasks that a CFP can help with are the creation of trusts, the preparation of a last will and testament, and the creation of living wills and powers of
I have a secret desire to be a professional financial planner one day (well, now it’s not so secret anymore). Of course, this would take me in a completely direction from my current career. Because of this desire, I jumped at the chance to interview Ciaran McKeever of Chance Favors who is a Certified Financial Planner. If you want to know what it’s like to be a Certified Financial Planner, here it is: Could you tell us a little about yourself? I was born and raised in Douglaston, N.Y. I live about 1 mile away from my childhood home. I’ve traveled quite extensively, mostly playing tennis over seas for 2 1/2 years on and off after college, 3 of the best years of my life. I was bit with the ‘love of travel’ bug and have traveled to many cool places including, Iceland, Sweden, China, New Zealand, Australia, Estonia, Vancouver to name a few, all on separate occasions. In 2005 made it to midnight of Day 3 in the main event in the World Series of Poker and have a great story about being knock
An individual who has earned the CFP® mark of distinction has met the education, examination, experience and ethics standards established by the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards (CFP Board). As a savvy consumer, you need to be aware that anyone can call themselves a “Financial Planner” — but not anyone can use the CFP mark of distinction. It is up to you to differentiate between a planner who has earned the CFP mark and one who hasn’t. Financial professionals who have earned the right to use the CFP mark have met the following requirements: • Education: There are three ways to meet the CFP certification education requirement: • Completing an education program at a college or university whose curriculum is registered with the CFP Board; or • Submitting a transcript of previous financial planning-related course work to the CFP Board for review and credit; or • Showing the attainment of certain professional designations or academic degrees. • Examination: Individuals must p
