World Financial Planning Day Teaches the Value of Planning Your Tomorrow

The world today looks much different than it did 12 months ago. We have all been rattled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it has raised throughout our daily lives. Anxiety levels are undeniably higher around the world as millions of families have struggled to manage jobs, caregiving and education amid great economic uncertainty.

In this context, World Financial Planning Day (#WFPD2020) takes on even greater significance. This annual occasion is dedicated to increasing financial literacy worldwide and helping people understand the value of financial planning. In addition, this day reinforces the important role a competent and ethical financial planner can play in helping individuals meet their financial goals.

We at CFP Board believe that all people should have access to a financial planner, and our mission is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning.

While it is easy to become overwhelmed when trying to make the best financial decisions for your family, you do not have to do it alone. CFP® professionals are trained to understand the complexities of the changing financial climate and to make recommendations in your best interest. On this World Financial Planning Day, CFP Board is proud to stand with the global community of financial planners who are ready to help you take control of your financial future.

Why the focus on CFP® professionals? Because CFP® professionals must meet high competency standards in education, experience and in ethics. CFP® professionals know how to apply their knowledge to provide you with a holistic view of financial solutions. They help you identify financial concerns, establish short- and long-term goals, and create a roadmap to those goals that can be used to evaluate the financial decisions you must make along the way. That includes adjusting your plan as needed when new challenges—like a global pandemic—arise. Additionally, CFP® professionals are required to act as fiduciaries, which means they will put your best interests ahead of their own at all times when providing financial advice.

CFP Board is proud to celebrate this special day. There are more than 87,000 CFP® professionals in the United States who can help you with your financial needs. For example, a CFP® professional can provide financial planning and education but also talk with you about debt management, home ownership savings, investment planning and setting financial goals for your retirement. If you are in the United States, I encourage you to visit LetsMakeAPlan.org to find a CFP® professional near you. 

This article was originally published on LinkedIn on October 7, 2020.

About the Author: Kevin Keller, CAE is Chief Executive Officer of CFP Board. CFP Board’s mission is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning.