Why Choose a CFP® Professional
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals must meet rigorous requirements in ethics, education, experience, and examination — providing the standard for competent, ethical financial planning you can trust.
The Gold Standard in Financial Planning
When you see the CFP® certification marks, you know you're working with a professional who has met some of the highest standards in the financial planning industry. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals must satisfy rigorous requirements in four key areas: ethics, education, experience, and examination.
Bold and confident yet simple and accessible, the CFP® certification mark visually represents CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals as the standard for competent, ethical financial planning. At Global Financial Advisory Services, our CFP® professionals are committed to putting your best interests first — every time.
The Four Requirements of a CFP® Professional
Each CFP® certificant must meet demanding standards across four critical areas, ensuring the competence and integrity you deserve.
Ethics
CFP® professionals commit to the highest ethical standards and must adhere to the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, acting as fiduciaries when providing financial advice.
Education
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution and complete a CFP Board-registered education program covering financial planning topics in depth.
Experience
A minimum of three years of full-time personal financial planning experience is required, ensuring real-world knowledge to draw upon when advising clients.
Examination
The comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination tests the ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations across major planning areas.
What Makes a CFP® Professional Different from Other Advisors?
Not all financial advisors are held to the same standards. Here's how a CFP® professional compares to other common advisor types.
| Requirement | CFP® Professional | Other Advisors |
|---|---|---|
| Fiduciary duty to act in client's best interest | ✓ Required | Varies |
| Comprehensive financial planning education | ✓ Required | Not always |
| Rigorous certification examination | ✓ Required | Varies |
| Minimum 3 years financial planning experience | ✓ Required | Not always |
| Ongoing continuing education (30 hrs/2 yrs) | ✓ Required | Varies |
| Adherence to Code of Ethics & Standards of Conduct | ✓ Required | Not always |
| Disclosure of conflicts of interest | ✓ Required | Varies |
| Holistic, goals-based planning approach | ✓ Core principle | Not guaranteed |
What You Gain from Working with a CFP® Professional
Partnering with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional provides meaningful advantages for your financial well-being and peace of mind.
Comprehensive Financial Planning
CFP® professionals look at the full picture — investments, tax planning, estate planning, retirement, insurance, and cash flow — integrating each element into a cohesive strategy built around your life goals.
Advice You Can Trust
When your advisor is a fiduciary, you can trust that every recommendation is made with your best interest at heart. There are no hidden motives, no product commissions steering their guidance — just honest, unbiased advice.
Evidence-Driven Strategies
CFP® professionals utilize research-informed, disciplined investment methodologies. At Global Financial Advisory Services, we combine the expertise of our CFP® professionals with our Evidence-Driven Investing™ philosophy for a systematic approach to building wealth.
Ongoing Relationship & Oversight
Financial planning isn't a one-time event. Your CFP® professional provides ongoing portfolio maintenance, tax-efficient management, and regular reviews to keep your plan aligned with your evolving life and goals.
Accountability & Transparency
CFP® professionals must disclose conflicts of interest and provide clear, transparent pricing. You always know how your advisor is compensated and can be confident that recommendations serve your interests.
A Partner for Life's Milestones
Whether you're planning for retirement, navigating a career transition, managing a family business, or building a legacy, a CFP® professional has the training and experience to guide you through every stage of life.
Why Fiduciary Duty Matters for You
Not every financial advisor is legally required to put your interests first. Some operate under a "suitability" standard, which only requires that recommendations be suitable — not necessarily optimal — for your situation. The difference can have a significant impact on your financial outcomes over time.
As a fiduciary, your CFP® professional at Global Financial Advisory Services is legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest. Pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, we follow a fiduciary duty standard of care — and it's one we gladly accept.
We provide advice and recommendations that are in the client's best interest. Period. Not because we are legally obligated to (although we are). Not because it works well as a business model (it does). Because it is the right thing to do.
What Fiduciary Duty Means in Practice
- Your advisor must act in your best interest at all times, not just recommend "suitable" products
- Potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed and explained in plain English
- Your customized plan integrates investment, estate, tax, and risk management into an overall strategy
- Clear and transparent pricing is provided from the start, aligned with your unique financial situation
Suitability Standard
Under a suitability standard, an advisor's recommendation must be appropriate for the client given their financial situation, but it does not need to be the best option available. Advisors may earn commissions on products they sell, potentially creating conflicts of interest that are not always disclosed to the client.
Fiduciary Standard
A fiduciary is legally and ethically required to put the client's interests above their own. This higher standard means recommending the most advantageous options, disclosing all conflicts of interest, and providing transparent compensation. As an SEC-registered investment adviser, Global Financial Advisory Services upholds this standard in everything we do.
Work with a CFP® Professional You Can Trust
Schedule a consultation to learn how our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals can help you pursue your financial goals with confidence.
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