When searching for a financial advisor, you might notice the alphabet soup following their names. There are over 100 certifications available to financial professionals, all with different meanings and specializations. But among the most distinguished is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Professional, or CFP®. There are several reasons why it is considered such an important designation, and one you should look for in your financial planner. Reason 1: Education, Experience, and Credibility The CFP® designation, offered by the CFP Board, is significant because it requires an impressive amount of study, experience, and preparation. It takes from nine months to two years of study, and that’s after earning a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of working as a financial professional. A candidate is then required to sit for a rigorous test that covers many different areas of financial planning. Reason 2: the CFP® Indicates a Holistic Approach Training and experience for a CFP® don’t end at financial planning. While they receive rigorous experience and training in financial planning, a CFP® also receives education and experience on a wide range of related topics, such as risk management and insurance planning, investment planning, tax planning, and estate planning. This comprehensive experience helps a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Professional to be a sounding board for clients and helps to consider th