How does the CFC™ complement a CFA®, CFP®, CIMA®, CPA and CPA/PFS® designations?
The CFC™ is not a replacement for a CFP®, CFA®, CIMA®, CPA or CPA/PFS® designation. Stringent education and testing requirements, along with the comprehensive knowledge requirements, separate these credentials in the alphabet soup of financial designations. In addition, financial counseling is a new knowledge topic professionals must master. CFP Board on March 31, 2021 announced it was adding financial planning psychology as a knowledge topic, effective March 2022, and it estimates 7% of a CFP’s job requires financial planning psychology. The other 93% of a financial professional’s time is not spent utilizing knowledge of psychology. While 7% may underestimate the importance of psychology in practicing financial planning, the main body of knowledge advisors must know requires no training in psychology. Like other professions, the financial profession requires specialists.