As your partner in planning, the Financial Planning Association endeavors to support you in your journey as a financial planner. Your work is life-altering to the families you serve but is equally critical to society. Providing you with the tools and insights you need to care for your clients and build your business is a role we take seriously because what you do as a financial planner matters.
Supporting You As A Financial Planner
That means FPA is with you every step of the way as you continue to sharpen your planning competencies with accessible, relevant information that supports your important work. To that end, we are delighted to make available to you — and all our valued Members — the JFP Research Quarterly, a new print publication from the award-winning Journal of Financial Planning.
JFP Research Quarterly makes the already easily accessible research from the Journal of Financial Planning even more accessible, builds the value of membership in FPA, and reaffirms FPA’s commitment to establishing financial planning as a profession with a significant investment in a permanent body of knowledge. Delivered quarterly to your home, JFP Research Quarterly augments our premier monthly digital offering, the Journal of Financial Planning.
Whether accessed online, digitally, or via print through the JFP Research Quarterly, research from the Journal of Financial Planning is now accessible when and how you want it. I encourage you to be sure your mailing address on record at FPA is up-to-date, so you don’t miss receiving JFP Research Quarterly four times each year. This is just the latest example of how FPA strives to create value for you, our members, and help raise awareness of our noble profession to the public. We hope you enjoy it.
Supporting You As A Business Owner
In parallel, FPA seeks to support you in developing your business and achieving success. I am delighted to announce the launch of the FPA Business Hub. This robust library of curated content is designed to provide you with the latest thought leadership from companies that understand what you do as a financial planner and what you are trying to achieve for your business.
From core areas of financial planning to marketing, business growth strategies, and succession planning, the FPA Business Hub is your destination to learn new skills and understandings that can power your business. New content, including industry reports, whitepapers, infographics, guides, and case studies, are regularly added to the FPA Business Hub. All the content is complimentary and easily accessible for you as an FPA Member.
Supporting You As A Professional
Being a financial planner means something, and FPA is working to ensure your standing as a financial planner is recognized and respected. Our pursuit of the legal recognition of the title financial planner through title protection is our long-term advocacy priority. This endeavor is about establishing financial planning as the “Fourth Great Profession,” as 2023 FPA President James Lee, CFP®, outlined in this op-ed for Barron’s earlier this month.
Our work on title protection began last year by establishing what it is and why it is important. As we turn to the mechanics of identifying threshold standards central to meriting the right to use the title, we have embarked on a consultative phase to hear from you, our Members, and other organizations across the financial planning ecosystem to gather opinions and ideas. Your voice matters in this process, so please consider joining us for one of the planned FPA Member Town Halls and through an online feedback form.
I had the opportunity to be a guest on The Truth About Your Future with Ric Edelman on March 10, where we discussed title protection, the approach FPA is taking to listen to all stakeholders across the financial planning ecosystem, and what it will mean for financial planners and consumers. You can watch the interview here (jump ahead to 10:02 for our discussion).
In Case You Missed It
There’s been many exciting things taking place in our Association recently. I hope you will explore these programs and initiatives, and consider participating:
- FPA Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. Play a role in educating federal lawmakers on the importance of financial planning and your critical role as a financial planner. Join us in Washington, D.C., June 13-14 for FPA Advocacy Day 2023! FPA Advocacy Day is an important opportunity for FPA members and leaders to continue the dialogue with federal policymakers about the financial planning profession while displaying FPA’s strength as the largest membership organization for CFP® professionals. Plan for a high-energy, invigorating day that will empower you to interact positively with policymakers to help advocate for issues crucial to you, your business, and your clients. Registration closes on May 15, so register today!
- Will I See You at FPA Retreat 2023?: FPA Retreat 2023 is an opportunity for you to connect more deeply with your financial planning colleagues, learn from experts inside – and outside – of the profession, and recharge your spirit and drive to best serve your clients and business. This unique event is unlike any other you will ever experience, so join us May 1-4 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida. Register soon, and I’ll see you there!
- New Elder Planning Specialist Program for FPA Members: FPA was pleased to announce a new partnership with Plan4Life, LLC, to bring the Elder Planning Specialist Program to FPA members! This first-of-its-kind, 10-week online program is designed to prepare serious financial planners to meet the needs of their older clients. Delivered in a cohort format, the program utilizes experts in several important fields to present meaningful video programs that cover such areas as legal planning, long-term care planning, end-of-life planning, and running a family meeting. The program qualifies for 10 CFP® CE credits and is available to FPA members for $1,195 and nonmembers for $1,495. Participants receive a certificate of completion showing their specialized elder planning training. The first cohort is underway, but look for the next cohort to begin later this year.
As always, thank you for the privilege of your membership and for all you do to elevate FPA and the financial planning profession.
Sincerely,
