SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) With kids beginning a new school year, you may be wondering how to further your own education and career. Whether you’re already in financial services or thinking of changing careers, here’s what you need to know about earning CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification, the standard of excellence in financial planning:

Is CFP^® certification right for you? If you wish to embark on a successful financial planning career, then yes, CFP^® certification is right for you. Anyone can call themselves a financial planner, but a CFP^® professional has the education and experience to provide competent, ethical financial planning. CFP^® certification can help advance your career.

What are the financial benefits of CFP^® certification? The demonstrated expertise and commitment to high ethical standards required of CFP^® professionals gives them a competitive edge – one that they are highly compensated for. In fact, CFP^® professionals earn 12% more than other financial professionals. They can also expect to receive comprehensive employee benefits amounting to thousands of additional dollars in value each year, such as health, dental and disability insurance, prescription coverage and more. Use CFP Board’s salary calculator to find out what you can potentially earn as a financial planner and see the difference CFP^® certification can make.

How does CFP^® certification help your future clients? As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional, your role will be to provide clients with competent, ethical advice. Thanks to the education you’ll gain while pursuing certification, you’ll be able to deliver that counsel holistically and with confidence. And as a fiduciary, you’ll also be committed to putting your clients’ best interests first.

What are the professional advantages of CFP^® certification? Statistics show that those who work with CFP^® professionals are not only more satisfied customers, but they are also more likely to recommend their advisor to their friends and family, making certification a smart way to build and maintain your portfolio of clients. Certification also puts your name in front of 900,000 searches on LetsMakeaPlan.org, the consumer website of the CFP^® Board, as well as opens up opportunities to continue building your skills and to network with peers and mentors.

Why is financial planning a great career choice for parents? A career as a CFP^® professional can provide tremendous flexibility when it comes to work-life balance. With a wide range of employers hiring financial planners — and opportunities to work for yourself — you’ll be able to select a path that aligns with your lifestyle needs, whether that means working a hybrid schedule or setting your own hours. In fact, CFP^® professionals have a median 21 days of paid time off annually, and many work at least part of their time from home.

How do you get started? The CFP^® certification process is a self-paced course of study that generally takes 18 to 24 months to complete. It involves coursework, an exam, work experience and rigorous ethics requirements. To get started today, visit getcfpcertified.org.

As the kids head back to school, consider turning over a new leaf by investing in your financial planning career.

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