Earlier this year a leading figure at the Institute of Financial Planning said the perception of Financial Planning as "dry, dusty and all about selling people things they may not really need" needs to be changed.
The comments from Sam Rees-Adams,
professional standards director at the IFP, have sparked a debate.
Martin Bamford CFPCM, managing director of Informed Choice, said: "For many we speak to, perceptions are formed by experiences with 'Financial Planners' at the banks, in reality salespeople using fancy titles to disguise their true motives.
"It is hard for most consumers to distinguish between the 'Financial Planner' they meet in a local bank branch and the true professional at a small or medium size firm of Financial Planners."

{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}

Paraplanner John Redmond, of BPH Wealth Management, said: "There are a number of reasons that the general public, I believe, take a dim view of the financial planning profession.
"Not least of which the misselling scandals we have seen come to the fore in recent years.
"Financial planners are being a bit stitched up here though, because these scandals have been borne out of big banks giving 'advice' based on their own sales target agendas rather than considering what clients and customers actually need.
"Sadly, the public - in my view - will generally see such scandals as a reflection of the financial services industry as a whole, rather than realising that proper Financial Planners do not partake in such practises."
Dan Woodruff CFPCM, founder and owner of Woodruff Financial Planning, said: "The public tends to treat all Financial Services as the same. Thus, there is not usually much distinction in most people's minds between what is offered by banks, traditional IFAs and Financial Planners.
"There is much underlying suspicion regarding the motives of many financial institutions, and the profession does not help itself with a regular stream of scandals, which affect the general view of the profession.
"The biggest issue is that of trust. Any lack of trust does a lot to undermine people's view of Financial Planning."
Craig Palfrey, CFPCM of Penguin Wealth, said: "There have been too many scandals and an idea has built up that banking and financial services is part of a much bigger rip off culture.
"The Financial Planning industry has a historically 'dodgy' reputation.
"Costly, inefficient products have often been forced down consumers throats. "Commissions have dominated how advisers have been paid, leading to a mistrust around advice provided."
A recent survey showed just 9% of young people would consider a career in financial services.
Ms Rees-Adams, said the planning community needed to win the "hearts and minds" of parents so they consider encouraging their children into the profession.
She said: "A crucial part of the strategy has to be making people realise what a career in Financial Planning really means. It isn't dry, dusty and all about selling people things they may not really need.
"We all have our part to play in changing perceptions and winning hearts and minds."

Read more on this subject and what planners think should be done to change perceptions in the coming days on Financial Planner Online.