Becoming a Certified Financial Planner Even Without Having a Degree

Getting the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) title is a big deal in finance. It means you can have a fulfilling career helping people with their money. But can you do it without a college degree? Yes, but there are things that you need to know as well. We’ll look into how you can become a certified financial planner without a bachelor’s degree. We’ll also share some important tips to help you along the way.

What does a financial planner do?

Financial planners are like financial superheroes, guiding people through the tricky world of money to help them reach their goals. They don’t just crunch numbers; they create personalized plans to fit each person’s needs. Here’s a closer look at what financial planners do: 

• Checking Finances: They dig deep into their clients’ money matters, like how much they earn, spend, own, owe, and invest. This helps them spot areas to improve and come up with smart plans.
• Setting Goals: Financial planners chat with clients to figure out what they want to achieve, whether it’s buying a house, saving for college, or getting ready for retirement.
• Making Personal Plans: Based on goals and financial information, planners craft tailor-made plans covering everything from budgeting and saving to investing, taxes, and planning for what happens after life.
• Investment Advice: They help clients pick the right investments based on how much risk they’re comfortable with, how long they have to invest, and what they want to achieve financially.
• Planning for Retirement: A big part of their job is getting folks ready for retirement. They look at things like retirement savings, pensions, and Social Security to make sure their clients can enjoy their golden years without money worries.
• Managing Risks: They also help protect their clients from unexpected financial hits by making sure they have the right insurance, like life insurance, health insurance, and more.

Do you need to have a degree to become a CFP?

You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to get a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) license, but you do need one to be a CFP professional. The people at the CFP Board want to make sure you have a solid education in financial planning, so they ask for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. But don’t worry, you have up to five years after getting your CFP certification to finish your degree. This means you can focus on getting hands-on experience and other certifications first, then wrap up your formal education later. 

Tips for becoming a CFP without a degree

1. Get Hands-On Experience: Starting in entry-level roles in finance gives you real-world experience alongside what you learn in school. Jobs like assistant financial advisor, investment analyst, or client service associate let you see financial planning in action, work with clients, and understand how the industry works.
2. Get Certifications: Even though you need a degree for CFP certification, getting other recognized certifications shows you’re serious about financial planning. Try for exams like the Series 65, focusing on investment rules, or the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, covering basic industry knowledge.
3. Keep Learning: Stay up-to-date on financial trends, rules, and best practices through ongoing education. Take part in workshops, seminars, and online courses to boost your skills. Look for opportunities at professional events and conferences to keep growing.
4. Find a Mentor: Connect with experienced finance pros who can give you advice and support as you aim for CFP certification. Look for mentors in your network or join professional groups for guidance, feedback, and helpful resources.

With hands-on experience, certifications, ongoing learning, and mentorship, you can confidently work towards CFP certification. While having a degree is important, the journey to becoming a Certified Financial Planner is full of learning and growth opportunities, setting you up for a rewarding career in finance.

What’s the requirement for becoming a CFP?

To become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), you need to meet four main requirements: Education, Examination, Experience, and Ethics. Here’s what each one involves: 

1. Education: You have to finish courses through a CFP Board Registered Program. These cover important topics like investment planning, retirement planning, taxes, estate planning, and insurance. While you don’t need a bachelor’s degree right away, you must get one within five years of becoming a CFP.
2. Examination: Passing the CFP exam is a big part of getting certified. It tests your knowledge of financial planning, with questions on topics like investments, retirement, taxes, and estates. You have to show you understand these areas well to become a CFP.
3. Experience: You need to have practical experience in financial planning to become a CFP. There are two ways to meet this requirement: either by working for at least three years and doing 6,000 hours of financial planning, or by doing a two-year apprenticeship with 4,000 hours under a CFP professional’s supervision.
4. Ethics: Following strong ethical standards is crucial for CFPs. You have to agree to stick to the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. This means always putting your clients’ best interests first, being honest and transparent, and keeping their information private.

Which finance job doesn’t require a degree?

Financial advisors and financial planners both help people with money matters, but they have some differences. Let’s take a closer look:

Financial Advisor

A financial advisor focuses on giving advice about investments and managing portfolios for clients. While having a degree can be helpful, it’s not always necessary to become a financial advisor. Instead, they usually get certifications like the Series 65 exam or the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam to show they know about investment management. Financial advisors can work independently or for companies like brokerage firms or investment firms.

Financial planner

On the other hand, financial planners look at the big picture of someone’s finances. They cover everything from budgeting and saving to retirement and estate planning. While they might also give investment advice, their main goal is to help clients reach their long-term financial goals through careful planning. Most financial planners have the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, which means they’ve completed special training, passed an exam, gained experience, and followed strict ethical rules set by the CFP Board.

Both financial advisors and financial planners are crucial for helping people manage their money well and achieve their financial goals. Even though the requirements to become one may differ, both offer fulfilling career paths for those who want to make a difference in others’ financial lives.

Understand the requirements of becoming a CFP

Getting certified as a Financial Planner without a degree is possible if you’re determined and follow the right steps. By getting hands-on experience, getting important certifications, and finding mentors, you can start a rewarding career in financial planning. While you might not need a degree right away to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), it’s still important to focus on learning and growing professionally to succeed in this exciting field.