Why Work With A CFP® Professional?
What Is A CFP® Professional?
A CFP® professional is a financial professional who has completed CFP Board’s required education, passed a comprehensive exam, accumulated qualifying experience, and committed to professional and ethical standards. For you, the designation provides a visible benchmark for the preparation someone has completed before earning the CFP® marks.
The CFP® Professional Difference
Put Your Interests At The Center Of The Plan
As part of CFP® certification, professionals commit to CFP Board to put their clients’ best interests first when providing financial advice. That principle aligns closely with the way Primacy Financial® works: learning your values, goals, and full financial picture before shaping recommendations around your circumstances.
See What Earned Expertise Means At Primacy Financial®
Credentials matter at Primacy Financial® because they represent study, practice, and accountability. Learn how specialized knowledge and collaboration come together across the firm.
What Sets A CFP® Professional Apart
Proven Preparation Behind The Planning
The title “financial planner” by itself does not tell you what education, examination, experience, or professional standards someone has completed. CFP® certification does. It identifies professionals who have satisfied and maintain a defined set of requirements established by CFP Board.
Why Choose a CFP®?
Choose A Planner With Verified Training And Experience
Financial planning can span investments, retirement, taxes, insurance, estate considerations, cash flow, and other interconnected parts of your wealth. CFP® certification gives you a recognized benchmark for the preparation behind the professional helping you bring those areas together.
Education That Covers The Financial Picture
CFP® professionals complete approved financial planning coursework and satisfy CFP Board’s degree requirement, building knowledge across the disciplines involved in personal financial planning.
An Examination Built Around Applying Knowledge
The CFP® exam tests a candidate’s ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-world situations, including scenario-based and case-study questions.
Experience Before The Marks Are Earned
Candidates must complete qualifying professional experience related to financial planning before earning CFP® certification. Current pathways require either 6,000 hours of professional experience or 4,000 hours through a qualifying apprenticeship.
Professional Standards With Accountability
CFP® professionals agree to follow CFP Board’s ethical and professional standards. CFP Board can impose sanctions, including loss of certification, when those standards are violated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working With A CFP® Professional
Choosing a financial services team is an important decision. To help you understand what CFP® certification can tell you about a financial professional, we compiled answers to common questions we hear from people considering an advisory relationship with Primacy Financial®.
No. The title “financial planner” does not automatically mean someone holds CFP® certification. A CFP® professional has completed specific requirements established by CFP Board for education, examination, experience, and ethics before earning the certification.
Earning CFP® certification requires completing financial planning education, passing the CFP® exam, fulfilling qualifying experience requirements, and satisfying CFP Board’s ethics requirements. CFP Board refers to these as the four E’s: education, examination, experience, and ethics.
Yes, when providing financial advice. As part of CFP® certification, professionals commit to CFP Board to act in their clients’ best interests and comply with CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
A CFP® professional has completed CFP Board’s qualifying experience requirement before earning the certification. The current standard provides two paths: 6,000 hours of professional experience related to financial planning or 4,000 hours through an apprenticeship pathway that carries additional requirements.
Yes. CFP® certification is among the professional credentials represented on Primacy Financial’s® team. The firm places particular value on designations because they reflect a commitment to study, practice, continuing professional education and development, and professional accountability. Primacy has offices in West Seneca and Williamsville, New York, and serves clients across the U.S.