In this column for Financial Planning Today, Christiaan Coolen of Lexington Wealth Management, explains what it took to achieve Certified Financial Planner (CFP) status, a designation held by many Financial Planners.
The Certified Financial Planner certification is recognised internationally as a benchmark for excellence in Financial Planning.
Unlike many qualifications that focus primarily on technical knowledge, the CFP assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply that knowledge to real-world client situations and produce comprehensive financial plans.
For me, the achievement marked the culmination of a multi-year commitment to professional development. The CFP doesn't just test what you know, it tests your ability to apply that knowledge to real-life client situations and create meaningful recommendations.
For me, it was about putting clients' objectives at the centre of every recommendation.
Having already achieved Chartered Financial Planner status, I viewed the CFP as the natural next step in my development.
I've always wanted to be the best version of myself as a Financial Planner. When you're helping people make some of the most important decisions of their lives, it's vital to continue developing both your knowledge and your skills.
The journey was not without its challenges.
Balancing work, study and personal commitments was demanding, requiring significant sacrifices over an extended period. There were evenings and weekends dedicated almost entirely to study. Looking back, I probably didn't get the balance right, but it was worth it.
One of the greatest lessons from the process was learning resilience. Earlier in my career, I saw setbacks as a reflection of my capabilities. The CFP taught me to view them differently. If something doesn't go to plan, it's an opportunity to learn and improve.
I believe the qualification has reinforced the client-centric planning philosophy embedded within Lexington's advice process. The CFP and what we do for clients at Lexington are closely aligned. It's about understanding what people want from life, creating a financial plan around those goals and applying critical thinking to arrive at the best outcomes.
As the profession continues to evolve, I hope more Planners will embrace higher professional standards and pursue qualifications that focus not only on technical competence but also on delivering meaningful client outcomes.
Christiaan Coolen is a Certified Financial Planner at Cirencester-based Financial Planning firm Lexington Wealth Management