The Standard of Excellence
For more than 30 years, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first. That's why partnering with a CFP® professional gives consumers confidence today and a more secure tomorrow.
The Fiduciary Duty
As part of their certification, a CFP® professional commits to CFP Board’s Fiduciary Duty. A CFP® professional commits to 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 CFP Board to:
- Place your interests above their own interests, or the interests of their firm.
- Disclose 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. You want a financial advisor who has made a commitment to you to act as a fiduciary.
Therefore, whomever you choose as your financial professional, including a CFP® professional, you should be sure to ask for—and get—a written engagement that requires them to have a fiduciary obligation to you.
