FAQs

No! Each planner will offer a different background, education, and business philosophy. It’s important to find a planner whose values and services align with your needs and preferences. Choosing a financial planner can be just as important as finding the right doctor or lawyer. The relationship matters.

In order to be licensed as a CFP® professional, an individual must meet what the CFP® Board refers to as the four E’s:

Examination – Successful completion of the CFP® Board’s comprehensive certification examination which tests knowledge of various key aspects of financial planning

Experience – A certain combination of education and experience needs to be obtained, including at least three to five years of financial planning related experience

Ethics – Voluntarily subscribe to the CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics, giving the board the right to take action against the planner if they should violate the code

Education – At least 30 hours of continuing education every two years in such topics as estate planning, retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, employee benefits, or insurance

There are a number of ways that a planner can use to value their service:

Fee-only: The planner is compensated entirely from fees for consultation, plan creation, or investment management. The fees may be hourly or determined as a percentage of assets under management.

Commission-only: The financial professional does not charge for their advice or plan creation, instead receiving a commission on the sale of financial products that comprise your portfolio.

Fee-offset: The planner charges fees, and then rebates the costs based on the commission earned from the sale of financial products.

Combination fee/commission: The planner charges a fee for their advice and the creation of the plan. If you choose to implement that plan through them, with their recommended products, they may earn commissions based on your selection.

We specialize in the financial planning process. We believe that the greatest clarity in your life comes from looking at everything together and considering how your short- and long-term goals will align with your current and future resources. We specialize in retirement, estate, and legacy planning as well as such services as employee benefits, tax planning, and cash flow strategies.

Our clients are success-oriented and desire to move forward with their finances. They are all ages and come from different backgrounds. Many of them are professionals, corporate executives, or small business owners. They understand they could use the help of a financial planner and are willing to listen and learn.