A financial planner is a generic term that can be used by many without the gold standard of education and certification. However, the designation that you are looking for when you are hiring one is CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. The definition of a CFP® is a professional that has expertise in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement (such as with 401(k)s, simple plans, IRAs, Roths). They are a fiduciary acting in the best interest of their clients. They have a bachelor’s degree, take accredited courses and pass a rigorous exam.
A financial planner is the CFO of your financial life. They examine where you are today and put together a plan to help you get to where you want to be tomorrow. They help you navigate all of financial and life challenges in between from how your type of investments affect your taxes, do you have enough or too much life insurance all the way to I don’t want my children to have to take care of me. Your financial plan is a living, breathing plan. Life throws enough at you, let your financial planner help you through the financial part and be your CFO.
Chesapeake Financial Planning & Tax Services 71 Old Mill Bottom Rd N, Suit 201 Annapolis. MD 21409 410-974-0410
Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory, insurance, and tax services offered through Bay Financial Planning and Tax Services, LLC DBA Chesapeake Financial Planning, a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Bay Financial Planning and Tax Services, LLC are not affiliated.