How do you search for a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?
Well, the first question should be WHY should you search for a CFP? There are many financial professionals who can help you with financial planning, so you shouldn’t rule out a financial planner because they don’t have the CFP. However, when choosing between financial planners and investment advisors, the CFP designation is a sign of a planner’s financial education and may be a factor in your decision.


What is the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation?
Certified Financial Planners have successfully completed the certification requirements of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. The requirements include a two-day, eight hour examination that covers topics such as investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, employee benefits and insurance. The required knowledge for the exam typically requires a couple hundred hours of studying, even for experienced investment professionals. In addition, candidates are required to have three years of financial planning-related experience, ascribe to the CFP Code of Ethics, and complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.


How can a Certified Financial Planner help?
A CFP has studied how to incorporate various areas such as investing, taxes and employee benefits into their planning. The idea is to give you a complete financial plan to achieve your
goals in life. However, there are many variables in even the simplest plan. Retirement planning, for instance, requires assumptions about how much you will save, what return you will earn,
what age you will retire and how long you will live. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) should be able to show you these assumptions,  and provide a financial plan that also takes into account your employee benefits and taxes.


How do I work with a Certified Financial Planner?
The financial planning process generally starts with meeting the Certified Financial Planner
(CFP) for an information-gathering meeting. The CFP will ask about your financial goals, life goals, and current financial situation.  The Certified Financial Planner will then take some time
to analyze your individual situation and prepare a plan that shows you how to reach your goals. The CFP might then work with you to implement the plan, which might involve a periodic savings and investment plan. Review and follow-up are usually part of the relationship. However, some Certified Financial Planners will work with you to develop the plan and you can then invest and implement it on your own. Your fees will vary also, depending on the CFP you work with. Some CFPs charge by the hour, for the financial plan, or are paid based on the investments you buy when you implement the plan. Neither type of fee is necessarily better than another, just ask
and understand what you are paying.


How do I search for a Certified Financial Planner with ClaroConnect?
ClaroConnect is an unbiased database of Certified Financial Planners and other investment professionals that connects you to the right professional based solely on your needs. Your first step at ClaroConnect is to identify at least a broad topic that you need help with, such as general financial planning, insurance, or business services. You can then go ahead and search the database, or narrow your search down further, with such characteristics as location and qualifications. Within the qualifications feature you can click on the “CFP (Certified Financial Planner)” choice under “Desired Qualifications”. This will bring up only CFPs in the search results. You can then meet with the Certified Financial Planner to begin the process of reaching your goals!