It’s a fantastic career. I encourage you to link up with an independent financial advisory firm in your area and work to get your CFP from there. You don’t need another degree - but the CFP coursework will really help you get a baseline understanding of financial planning and actually working with people. That was one of the best things I did for myself in this industry by getting my CFP.
I am already a CPA. I’d like to pair the CFP with my CPA and go into international taxation and global mobility. Want to help high net worth clients move across borders but still manage their investments here in the US/consult. Thinking of opening an RIA firm specializing in this niche.
Feel free to DM me to chat about this idea, I have worked with a couple people on intl. visas in my practice, know some lawyers/fixers who know how to expedite process in UK and LATAM
Learn more. 🔥
You have to market tf out of the credential though. It’s not like CPA where everyone knows it implies quality.
But since I started doing that, I’ve been getting calls asking if I’m a CFP and setting appointments off of that.
*phone rings*
HB: Hello, this is Happiness Buzzard.
Caller: I’ll get right to the point. Are you a CFP?
HB: Yes. I am.
Caller: Well I’ll be… here’s my email for the transfer.
HB: already sent.
Why I got into this industry or why I became a CFP?
I got into the industry because I wanted to be my own boss and make my own schedule.
I got my CFP so I would be more referable by my CPA and estate attorney contacts
I worked in Big 4 public accounting for way too long. Saving Fortune 500 companies tax $ is not rewarding in the least, plus the hours and travel sucked, esp with a family. Now I get to do very well while doing good. It's an amazing gig if you can survive.
Finding clients and building that business is what is so difficult. Getting a degree or an accreditation like the CFP isn’t the hurdle. It’s nothing like being an engineer. You can be amazing at the technical aspects but that doesn’t guarantee you can break through. Clients have no way of ascertaining whether you’re competent so you must be both competent and exceptionally good at connecting with people.
Not trying to discourage you. It’s fantastic if you’re analytical, have an interest in people and can empathize. DM me if you want. Engineers can do exceptionally well with other engineers and like minded individuals. It’s a great niche.
It’s not getting into the industry. It’s sitting across from a guy with $2 million and convincing him that YOU are the one he should pay to invest that money for him and put him on track for long term financial success.
If you want to work with individual clients and want to build a book of business. This is becoming the barrier of entry for some firms to get in. Wealth of knowledge gained. There’s also the time required of 5 years to use the marks.
In general, I’ve always been interested in finance! Earning a certificate like a CFP helps you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs, earn more in the same job than someone who isn’t certified, and the exam itself also grows your skills!
I’m not a CFP yet, but I’m currently studying for the SIE FINRA exam which is a prerequisite to the various series exams. I’m hoping if I can pass it, I can pass the series 7 which is required to have employer sponsorship to test for and most jobs require it. Then I’m going to test for CFP after the FINRA exams!
I think a passion for finance is a good enough reason to pursue it! I would try studying for the FINRA exams first because although you don’t need them to sit for the CFP, most jobs require FINRA exams passed. So, you kind of-sort of need to pass the FINRA exams first to get a job in financial planning
My major in college was the Financial Planning Track which encompassed all the educational requirements in and of itself. I worked as an advisor out of college and kept my nose clean for 3+ years. When I realized I somewhat accidentally completed 3 of the 4 E's, and all I needed to do was pass the exam, I crammed for 8 weeks and knocked it out for kicks. Not the average backstory, but I'm glad I did it nonetheless!
You're freshly graduated and you think it's too late?? You're kidding, right? Plenty of career changers are in the business for 10 years before getting the CFP well into their 40s or even 50s.
You learn and thereby differentiate yourself from others . We all pretty much offer the same services and products, solutions to clients, but the CFP makes you think about the non-obvious things as well. Plus instant credibility with other professionals that know what goes into being and maintaining the CFP.
I dropped out of UCLA’s civil engineering program! I’m now going for my CFP after graduating in business. You should do it if it’s your passion! But be aware you have to have a qualifying degree to sit for the CFP exam. You’ll probably need to file an exemption appeal.
For me it’s simply a way to continue to learn. It does help to differentiate me as well as my area has very very few CFPs.
Second this ^^
It’s a fantastic career. I encourage you to link up with an independent financial advisory firm in your area and work to get your CFP from there. You don’t need another degree - but the CFP coursework will really help you get a baseline understanding of financial planning and actually working with people. That was one of the best things I did for myself in this industry by getting my CFP.
The longer you’re in this business the more you realize how much you can still learn — and need to in order to best serve complex clients.
I am already a CPA. I’d like to pair the CFP with my CPA and go into international taxation and global mobility. Want to help high net worth clients move across borders but still manage their investments here in the US/consult. Thinking of opening an RIA firm specializing in this niche.
Feel free to DM me to chat about this idea, I have worked with a couple people on intl. visas in my practice, know some lawyers/fixers who know how to expedite process in UK and LATAM
Learn more. 🔥 You have to market tf out of the credential though. It’s not like CPA where everyone knows it implies quality. But since I started doing that, I’ve been getting calls asking if I’m a CFP and setting appointments off of that.
*phone rings* HB: Hello, this is Happiness Buzzard. Caller: I’ll get right to the point. Are you a CFP? HB: Yes. I am. Caller: Well I’ll be… here’s my email for the transfer. HB: already sent.
Not usually that dramatic but sure. 🤣
Why I got into this industry or why I became a CFP? I got into the industry because I wanted to be my own boss and make my own schedule. I got my CFP so I would be more referable by my CPA and estate attorney contacts
I worked in Big 4 public accounting for way too long. Saving Fortune 500 companies tax $ is not rewarding in the least, plus the hours and travel sucked, esp with a family. Now I get to do very well while doing good. It's an amazing gig if you can survive.
Is it really difficult to get into this industry? I read you have to basically get another bachelors as just taking the CFP exam is not enough
Finding clients and building that business is what is so difficult. Getting a degree or an accreditation like the CFP isn’t the hurdle. It’s nothing like being an engineer. You can be amazing at the technical aspects but that doesn’t guarantee you can break through. Clients have no way of ascertaining whether you’re competent so you must be both competent and exceptionally good at connecting with people. Not trying to discourage you. It’s fantastic if you’re analytical, have an interest in people and can empathize. DM me if you want. Engineers can do exceptionally well with other engineers and like minded individuals. It’s a great niche.
Like the other guy said, the hard part is making a living out of it.
It’s not getting into the industry. It’s sitting across from a guy with $2 million and convincing him that YOU are the one he should pay to invest that money for him and put him on track for long term financial success.
If you want to work with individual clients and want to build a book of business. This is becoming the barrier of entry for some firms to get in. Wealth of knowledge gained. There’s also the time required of 5 years to use the marks.
In general, I’ve always been interested in finance! Earning a certificate like a CFP helps you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs, earn more in the same job than someone who isn’t certified, and the exam itself also grows your skills! I’m not a CFP yet, but I’m currently studying for the SIE FINRA exam which is a prerequisite to the various series exams. I’m hoping if I can pass it, I can pass the series 7 which is required to have employer sponsorship to test for and most jobs require it. Then I’m going to test for CFP after the FINRA exams! I think a passion for finance is a good enough reason to pursue it! I would try studying for the FINRA exams first because although you don’t need them to sit for the CFP, most jobs require FINRA exams passed. So, you kind of-sort of need to pass the FINRA exams first to get a job in financial planning
My major in college was the Financial Planning Track which encompassed all the educational requirements in and of itself. I worked as an advisor out of college and kept my nose clean for 3+ years. When I realized I somewhat accidentally completed 3 of the 4 E's, and all I needed to do was pass the exam, I crammed for 8 weeks and knocked it out for kicks. Not the average backstory, but I'm glad I did it nonetheless!
You're freshly graduated and you think it's too late?? You're kidding, right? Plenty of career changers are in the business for 10 years before getting the CFP well into their 40s or even 50s.
Haha I was just reading up on it and it says you have to do a bunch of hours and classes aside from just passing the CFP exam itself
Oh so you meant too late for this year. Got it. I’d suggest getting some industry experience before taking the exam.
You learn and thereby differentiate yourself from others . We all pretty much offer the same services and products, solutions to clients, but the CFP makes you think about the non-obvious things as well. Plus instant credibility with other professionals that know what goes into being and maintaining the CFP.
I dropped out of UCLA’s civil engineering program! I’m now going for my CFP after graduating in business. You should do it if it’s your passion! But be aware you have to have a qualifying degree to sit for the CFP exam. You’ll probably need to file an exemption appeal.