The value of working with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional signifies a client - planner relationship anchored by a level of care, education, and competency unmatched in the financial planning and investment management landscape. 

The below information is taken verbatim from The CFP Board's website at letsmakeaplan.org.

A Commitment to High Standards

CFP® certification signifies the commitment that all CFP® professionals make to acting in the best interests of their clients. Under the Code and Standards, which took effect on October 1, 2019, a CFP® professional must act in the client's best interests whenever providing financial advice.
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a Commitment to an Expanded Fiduciary Duty

The Code and Standards introduces several new requirements. The cornerstone is the obligation to act as a fiduciary, and therefore, act in the best interests of the client at all times when providing financial advice. This is a significant change from the prior standard, which required a CFP® professional to act as a fiduciary when providing financial planning.

What does it mean to act as a fiduciary? A CFP® professional must fulfill the following duties:

Duty of Loyalty - A CFP® professional must place the interests of the client above the interests of the CFP® professional and their firm.

Duty of Care - A CFP® professional must act with care, skill, prudence, and diligence of a prudent professional.

Duty of Follow Client Instructions - A CFP® professional must comply with the terms of the client engagement, following client direction that is reasonable and lawful.

visit CFP.net/code for initial resources and faqs

- The new Code and Standards,
- A Commentary document,
- A side-by-side comparison with the old Standards of Professional Conduct,
- Short video overviews,
- Information on Public Forums to discuss the new Code and Standards.

​Additional refernce and guidance materials will be added as they become available.