Blog

Last month I shared my recent recruiting trip highlights and in this month’s post I want to explore the variations between the different types of CFP Board registered programs in more detail. For those not familiar there are actually two types of CFP Board registered programs: Degree and Certificate. Here is a general description of both: Certificate programs generally provide the CFP Board financial planning curriculum on a standalone basis, for which the individual simply receives a ...

Read more +

Last month, I took seven plane flights, stayed in three hotels, and rented three cars to visit five CFP Board registered programs: St. Joseph’s, William Paterson, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech and Winthrop University. It was my own little version of planes, trains and automobiles! During these visits, I presented to twelve classes, gave two keynote speeches, spoke to a dozen PhDs (faculty members, college deans, and program chairs), and interviewed a few dozen students. Below are some notable ...

Read more +

I’ve written and spoken at length about the mistakes new planners make when trying to find their right fit including hearing only what they want to hear, thinking every opening is a good fit, assuming if something isn’t addressed in negotiations it will mysteriously work out as they had envisioned, etc. However firm owners are not blameless and make mistakes, too, which is why I want to share April Joyner’s article in the November 2011 issue of Inc. magazine entitled “Hiring traps: Why is it so ...

Read more +

By now you surely have been blitzed with a myriad of resolutions, time management tips, to do lists, etc. so I’m going to spare you from the typical new year pep talk and instead highlight a change you should be aware of, regarding the educational requirements for new financial planners in CFP Board registered programs. In the past, it has been possible for a new financial planner to graduate with an undergraduate/graduate degree or certificate in financial planning without ever having ...

Read more +

In an effort to strengthen your year-end employee reviews, this month’s post will address evaluating your new planner’s performance. Simply put, did they fall short, meet, or exceed the expectations both of you set, together, at the beginning of the year? Once you and your new planner know where he/she stands on this, then you can have a more detailed discussion about if and how compensation should be adjusted, and what he/she needs to be striving for over the next year. When we help firm owners ...

Read more +

Recently a well known financial planner, who has experienced some frustration in trying to hire, asked an interesting question. ‘What do new planners really want in a position?’ The question needs to be addressed because during the hiring process often times, one (or even both) parties cannot clearly articulate what they are seeking in an employment arrangement. What new planners are seeking is a position where they can learn and experience the business (how to’s) of financial planning ...

Read more +