What credential is awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards?

The credential awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards is the Certified Financial Planner (CFP). This designation is specifically designed for professionals in the financial planning industry and signifies that an individual has met rigorous education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements. The CFP designation is highly regarded and recognized as a standard of excellence in personal financial planning.

To obtain the CFP designation, candidates typically need to complete a comprehensive financial planning curriculum and pass a comprehensive examination that tests their knowledge across various financial planning topics, such as investments, taxes, retirement, estate planning, and insurance. Additionally, CFP professionals must adhere to a strict code of ethics and continue their education to maintain their certification.

The other credentials listed, such as Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), are issued by different organizations and focus on distinct areas of finance and accounting. For instance, while the ChFC focuses on advanced financial planning concepts, it is not tied to the CFP Board. Similarly, the CPA is centered on accounting and tax-related expertise, and the CLU pertains specifically to life insurance and estate planning.