Why Work With a CFP® Professional?

Not all financial advisors are certified.

Anyone can use the title “financial advisor” or “financial planner.” Only individuals who meet the standards of the CFP Board may use the CFP® certification marks.

At PFA, several of our advisors hold the Certified Financial Planner® designation — reflecting an advanced commitment to education, experience, examination, and ethics.

What the CFP® Certification Means

The CFP® designation is built around four core requirements, often referred to as "The Four E's":

Education

Completion of a comprehensive financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board.

Examination

Passing a rigorous certification exam testing the integration of tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, investment management, insurance, and financial planning strategy.

Experience

A minimum of three years of professional financial planning experience.

Ethics

Agreement to adhere to CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, including fiduciary obligations and background review.

Why This Matters to You

Financial decisions are rarely isolated.

Retirement income affects tax strategy.
Tax strategy affects estate planning.
Investment allocation affects income sustainability.

CFP® professionals are trained to view these components as an integrated system — not as separate transactions.

That broader perspective may help identify planning gaps and support more informed decisions.

More importantly, CFP® professionals are fiduciaries, legally obligated to put your interests first.

The Code of Ethics states that CFP® practitioners are to act with integrity, offering you professional services that are objective and based on your needs. They are required to provide you with information about their sources of compensation and conflicts of interest in writing.

Ongoing Commitment

CFP® professionals must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including ethics training, and must disclose any public disciplinary matters during renewal.

As part of the renewal process, all CFP® practitioners voluntarily disclose any public, civil, criminal, or disciplinary actions that may have been taken against them during the previous two years.

The designation is not a one-time credential — it requires ongoing accountability.

Learn More About How We Work:

➝ Meet Our Team
➝ What We Do