SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Interested in launching a financial planning career but not sure if it’s right for you? With its many different career tracks and specialties, financial planning suits a range of personalities, goals and skill sets. Contrary to popular belief, financial planning involves much more than crunching numbers!
CFP Board breaks down some common paths you can take in the financial planning profession:
Advisory/Wealth Management: Working directly with clients to guide them through the creation and management of a financial plan is the most well-known function of financial planners. Many large firms start new employees in support positions to help them gain a broad understanding of the client service process. However, opportunities exist — such as at virtual advice centers — to assume a wealth management role more quickly.
Operations: Those who work in operations support financial planners by handling advisor and client files, generating reports, scheduling meetings and troubleshooting processes. This is a common entry point at many firms; however, some firms view this as a separate career track with its own growth potential.
Business Development: Some firms offer business development as a specialized career path for experienced advisors with a significant client base and a strong reputation for competency and ethics. This role is ideal for outgoing people, as client outreach and retention require strong marketing and networking skills.
Technical Support: Technical support specialists use advanced tools to process complex information and navigate decisions. Responsibilities might include data gathering, modeling, case design and financial plan development, making this a good path if you love data and analytics.
Your ideal path will depend on many factors, including firm size, compensation structure, culture, pro bono opportunities and how well the role aligns with your long-term goals. Regardless of the path you choose, having the right credentials is critical. Earning CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification demonstrates that you’ve met rigorous training and experience requirements. For a leg up in the job market, download CFP Board’s “Guide to Careers in Financial Planning” at cfp.net.
Financial planning is not a one-size-fits-all profession. Understanding its many facets can help you find the path that suits your talents and interests.
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