Investments
Balancing risk and reward is very important when planning for your financial future. We work closely with you to see where you are now and where you want to be in five years, 10 years, 20 years, and all the years in between. This sets the stage for prudent and sound choices in building your portfolio.
We will provide you with the quality service and attention you expect and deserve. Our attention to detail includes getting to know you and understanding your interests, goals, and concerns in order to put together a sound investment portfolio.
Since 2008, deficit spending has ballooned as the U.S. government rescued failing financial institutions and tried to rekindle growth with both tax reforms and stimulus spending. Our clients want to know they are properly managing the risks as well as the rewards in today's changing world.
Professional Designations
Before we explain the roles of certain financial professionals, it is important to note that many titles imply a certain level of expertise or education. However, the fact is that individuals can use a number of titles without holding any professional designation. In other words, you can call yourself a financial advisor without having any specialized education, training or expertise. FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) duly warns consumers on its “Understanding Professional Designations” Web page to “be aware that Financial Analyst, Financial Adviser (Advisor), Financial Consultant, Financial Planner, Investment Consultant or Wealth Manager are generic terms or job titles, and may be used by investment professionals who may not hold any specific designation.” If you are unsure about a potential professional’s experience, training and financial designation, ask him or her.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Financial Planners
Financial planners help individuals and corporations meet their short- and long-term financial goals by evaluating each client’s current financial status and developing a program to help meet his or her objectives.
Financial planners may have a specialty (or specialties) such as the following:
- asset allocation
- estate planning
- insurance
- retirement
- risk management
- tax planning
A person does not need any specialized training or licensing to be called a financial planner. Some financial planners, however, may hold credentials like the CFP®. The CFP® board’s Standards of Professional Conduct states, “A certificant shall at all times place the interest of the client ahead of his or her own. When the certificant provides financial planning or material elements of financial planning, the certificant owes to the client the duty of care of a fiduciary as defined by the CFP® Board.”|
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
The Bottom Line
Stockbrokers, investment advisors and financial planners come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Before hiring a professional, it is important to inquire about his or her credentials, clarifying both what the designation means and how it was earned. You can also contact that issuing organization to confirm that the professional earned the credential and that he or she is in good standing.