Financial Planner Association!
Unlike what we were told while growing up, adulthood can be quite a lonely journey.
Loneliness is easy to come by, even in a field like financial services, where you spend the bulk of your time serving and meeting clients one-on-one.
You’ll undoubtedly miss the companionship of your school days, and you’ll be left wondering how you might get in touch with your classmates again.
Relationships with other professionals might be difficult for financial advisors to establish.
This is where financial industry associations come into play.
Today, we’ll take a more intimate look at the Financial Planner Associations in your area. In this post, we covered:
Financial planners benefit from professional membership groups because they give them access to their peers.
Joining a professional association gives them access to a network of like-minded colleagues as well as insight into a variety of business viewpoints and experiences that can help them enhance their planning skills.
Let’s find out below how to build meaningful relationships!
What is a Financial Planner Association (FPA)?
FPA describes itself as the primary membership organization for certified financial planner (CFP) professionals, educators, financial service providers, and students.
While the majority of FPA’s members are CFPs, the organization accepts all fiduciaries who perform financial planning and are into financial professional development.
It is open to financial planners at all levels of their careers, from novice to master to industry leader.
Students and those studying for the CFP professionals, for example, can find educational opportunities to start their careers.
Academics and educators at CFP Board-registered schools can also join to work with their academic peers and the practitioners who will be putting their findings to use.
Because everyone who joins the FPA is looking for something different, the value of membership varies.
Consider joining one of these five professional groups for financial planners if you want to network with like-minded people:
- The Financial Planning Association (FPA)
- The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP)
- NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors)
- The CFP Board of Directors
- NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors)
Roles of FPA
FPA becomes your planning partner when you join, assisting you in realizing your vision of success through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking.
Take a real peek at some of the most valuable member benefits below:
Support for Practice
FPA provides you with the business insights you require as well as significant cost savings on the tools you require to run your company and serve your clients.
Learning
FPA provides members with educational content that is both relevant and accessible.
It also grills members on the best way to offer financial advice to future and existing clients.
Advocacy
FPA gives you the chance to make a difference by advocating for financial planning among politicians, consumers, and journalists.
Networking
FPA gives you access to an unrivaled network of financial planners — locally, nationally, and online.
Categories of FPA
When you join the FPA, you’ll gain access to practice assistance, learning, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
FPA’s comprehensive perks and programs will set you up for success and help you achieve your professional goals.
FPA has five membership categories in which you can join.
CFP® Professional
You have earned the title of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™.
Membership dues are $375 per year, plus local chapter dues.
Allied Professional
You hold a position in financial planning or financial services and operate in a vital role for the financial planning profession and financial planning professionals.
You don’t have a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification that is valid.
Dues are $299 per year plus local chapter dues.
Academic
You work full-time as a graduate, undergraduate, or high school instructor in a financial planning-related degree or certificate program.
The cost of membership is $199 per year.
Financial Planner Aspirant
You don’t currently work in financial planning or financial services but want to.
This membership category can only be kept for four years.
Membership dues are $50 per year.
Emeritus Member
You’re a retired financial planner who only works 20 hours per week.
The cost of membership is $149 per year.
FPA Members
Members of the Financial Planning Association are committed to helping each other and the profession of financial planning advance.
The more the association develops as financial planners, the more they are able to serve clients today and satisfy their demands in the future.
FPA members can be split into four groups on a broad scale:
Community
There are 85 local chapters and state councils, as well as national conferences and events held on a regular basis.
Education
Members can learn from top business executives and coaches in the industry through live and on-demand virtual learning, as well as a Coaches Corner.
Business Support
The FPA MediaSource connects planners with media, while PlannerSearch connects consumers with planners.
Advocacy
FPA works with state and federal politicians, legislators, and regulators to influence financial industry policies.
Requirements for FPA Membership
To become a Financial Planner (FPA®) member, you must complete the following steps:
- Be RG(PS)146 compliant and have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Have at least one year of supervised knowledge in a role involving financial planning
- You must be a current FPA member who has completed the CFP Certification Program
RG146 is the acronym for Regulatory Guide 146. It is a financial regulation created by ASIC for anyone providing financial advice.
ASIC’s Regulatory Guide 146 Licensing explains and documents it.
Financial Planner Associations Near You (FPA Chapters)
- Financial Planning Association (FPA) — LinkedIn
With over forty-four thousand followers, this online platform is most likely the biggest FPA platform in Denver, Colorado.
They offer in-class learning and certificate programs, signature events, and profession-leading publications.
- FPA National Capital Area Reston, VA
- FPA Greater Hudson Valley (Harrison, NY)
- FPA of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge, LA)
- FPA of Austin (Austin, TX)
- FPA of California Council (CA)
- FPA of Central California (Fresno, CA)
- FPA of Central Florida (Apopka, FL)
- FPA of Central New York (Liverpool, NY)
- FPA of Central Ohio (Westerville, OH)
- FPA of Central Oklahoma (Norman, OK)
- FPA of Central Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, PA)
- FPA of Central Virginia (Richmond, VA)
- FPA of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
- FPA of Colorado (Denver, CO)
- FPA of Connecticut (Rocky Hill, CT)
- FPA of Dallas/Fort Worth (Dallas, TX)
- FPA of East Tennessee (Knoxville, TN)
- FPA of Eastern Iowa (Cedar Falls, IA)
Conclusion
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is a group that brings together individuals who provide the financial planning process, those who support it, and those who profit from it.
You are never alone when you are a member of FPA.
You’re part of a community of over 22,000 people who are all working together to help clients in need of financial advice.
FPA connects you to educational opportunities, webinars, professional advancement tools, seminars and publications, and so much more.
