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Certified Financial Planner

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Certified Financial Planner

Certified Financial Planner

Why Choose ICM For Careers?

Becoming a Certified Financial Planner in California

‘Financial planner’ in itself isn’t a privileged term. There’s no stopping anyone who’s bought a suit and taken a ten-hour course online from sitting behind a desk and calling themselves a financial planner. Becoming a certified financial planner, however, is a career choice with a well-worn path. Since 2007, all certified financial planners must have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, from an accredited institution (although you can begin the process, including taking the examination, without yet having the degree). Initial certification requires completing a substantial curriculum including principles of finance and financial planning, insurance planning, retirement and estate planning, and planning for multiple types of taxes, among other topics. Alternatively, individuals with professional qualifications such as attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, and similar financial professionals may register for and take the exam without having to complete the education requirements.

Why Choose ICM For Careers?

Becoming a Certified Financial Planner in California

‘Financial planner’ in itself isn’t a privileged term. There’s no stopping anyone who’s bought a suit and taken a ten-hour course online from sitting behind a desk and calling themselves a financial planner. Becoming a certified financial planner, however, is a career choice with a well-worn path. Since 2007, all certified financial planners must have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, from an accredited institution (although you can begin the process, including taking the examination, without yet having the degree). Initial certification requires completing a substantial curriculum including principles of finance and financial planning, insurance planning, retirement and estate planning, and planning for multiple types of taxes, among other topics. Alternatively, individuals with professional qualifications such as attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, and similar financial professionals may register for and take the exam without having to complete the education requirements.

Certified Financial Planner

Certification in Depth

Initial certification requires four components: education, examination, experience, and ethics. First comes completing the education coursework and being allowed to register for the certification examination, which tests your ability to use your accumulated knowledge in financial planning situations. Certification also requires 6,000 hours of professional experience involved in financial planning, or alternatively, 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience that meets additional requirements. Experience can involve establishing a client relationship, gathering clients’ data, analyzing and evaluating a client’s financial status, and developing, presenting, implementing, or monitoring financial planning recommendations. After completing the experience portion of the requirements, all applicants must pass a background check and disclose information about their criminal, civil, governmental, or self-regulatory proceedings or inquiries, as well as other pertinent details. Once these requirements have been satisfied, there is a biennial requirement to complete 30 hours of continuing financial education and submit a properly completed certification application, as well as an annual certification fee of $360.

Career Potential for Financial Advisors

Becoming a certified financial planner is a solid career move, according to the Labor Department. There is a projected growth rate of 30 percent through 2024, as Americans struggle to pull their finances together and plan for the future. Being a CFP is a significant boon when it comes to establishing yourself as an independent financial services provider, although of course there are plenty of CFPs who prefer the creature comforts of a company-provided office and the support and name recognition of a larger firm. It depends on where your passion lies– whether you are a rugged, hands-on entrepreneur who wants to get grubby in the trenches of small business, or an ambitious ladder-climber who wants to ascend the hierarchy of an established company. Luckily for you, ICM has provisions for both styles.

Certified Financial Planner Advice

Certification in Depth

Initial certification requires four components: education, examination, experience, and ethics. First comes completing the education coursework and being allowed to register for the certification examination, which tests your ability to use your accumulated knowledge in financial planning situations. Certification also requires 6,000 hours of professional experience involved in financial planning, or alternatively, 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience that meets additional requirements. Experience can involve establishing a client relationship, gathering clients’ data, analyzing and evaluating a client’s financial status, and developing, presenting, implementing, or monitoring financial planning recommendations. After completing the experience portion of the requirements, all applicants must pass a background check and disclose information about their criminal, civil, governmental, or self-regulatory proceedings or inquiries, as well as other pertinent details. Once these requirements have been satisfied, there is a biennial requirement to complete 30 hours of continuing financial education and submit a properly completed certification application, as well as an annual certification fee of $360.

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Independent Capital Management, Inc. offers career options for new or developing certified financial planners, and can advise on how to pursue your career in the way that will best fit your goals. If you’d like to know more about joining the ICM family, get in touch on 949-453-7660, or follow this link.

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