Making important financial decisions can be challenging, especially when retirement, investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning all need to work together. At Menninger & Associates, our Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professionals help clients understand their options and develop personalized financial strategies based on their goals, priorities, and circumstances.
But why use a CFP® instead of managing every aspect of your financial life on your own? A CFP® professional can provide knowledgeable guidance, help coordinate different areas of your financial plan, and offer an objective perspective as your financial needs evolve. Understanding the role of a CFP® and the benefits of professional financial planning can help you determine whether working with one is right for you.
Looking for a local advisor? Visit our Norristown, PA financial planning page to see how our CFP® professionals serve your area directly.
What is a Certified Financial Planner?
CFP® certification is a formal recognition of knowledge in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement (such as with 401ks). Owned and awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the certification is awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP® Board's initial exams, then continue ongoing annual education programs to sustain their skills and certification.
Additionally, you must have thorough training and experience in financial planning and clear the standards of the CFP® Board successfully, with respect to the four E's: ethics, experience, examination, and education to become a CFP® . The requirement of the code of ethics ensures that CFPs act as fiduciaries, which binds them to make only such decisions that are in favor of their client.
What Does A CFP® Do?
Understanding what does a CFP® do is an important part of determining whether professional financial planning is right for you. A CFP® professional can help you develop and implement strategies for a range of financial priorities, including:
- Retirement planning.
- Investment planning.
- Tax planning.
- Estate planning.
- Insurance planning.
- Cash flow management.
- Education planning.
- Long-term financial goals.
At Menninger & Associates, our CFP® professionals work to understand your unique circumstances before recommending strategies. The goal is to create a coordinated financial plan rather than addressing individual financial decisions separately.
Why use a CFP® as your Financial Advisor?
For more than 30 years, the CFP® professional certification has been the standard of excellence for financial advisors and planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and must commit to the CFP® Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first.
A CFP® professional can help you:
- Create a comprehensive financial strategy.
- Establish and prioritize financial goals.
- Understand complex financial decisions.
- Coordinate different areas of your financial life.
- Prepare for retirement.
- Evaluate investment strategies.
- Adapt your financial plan as circumstances change.
- Stay accountable to your long-term goals.
CFP® professionals take a holistic, personalized approach to bring all the pieces of your financial life together. As part of the CFP® certification, CFP® professionals also have made a commitment to the CFP Board to act as a fiduciary when providing financial advice to a client. This means they have agreed to put your best interests first, so they can provide you with confidence today and a secure tomorrow.
Choose a Trusted & CFP
Menninger & Associates knows financial planning and has been delivering value to their clients for over 10 years. Our CFP® professionals provide personalized, fiduciary-based financial planning — from tax planning strategies to retirement planning — to clients across Southeastern Pennsylvania and nationwide, including our certified financial planning services in Norristown, PA. Menninger & Associates takes the time to get to know your individual financial goals and circumstances to deliver the best service possible.
Many of our professional financial advisors have Accredited Financial Planner (CFP®) designations. Menninger & Associates also bring to the table over a decade of hands-on preparation expertise collectively. Our goal is to establish a long-term partnership based on trust with our clients. Our principles and loyalty have helped us grow with our clients as we work with them and their changing financial needs.
