Financial Planning Services

Financial planning is a rapidly growing field that involves helping people manage their money. If you are good with numbers and enjoy the prospect of helping people, financial planning might be right for you.

Inside Financial Planning Services

Financial planning refers to the act of managing funds. It involves knowing how much money one has, how to make it grow and how to spend it. Financial planners help people understand things like savings, investment, insurance and retirement. They must have strong communication skills to be able to clearly explain budgeting concepts to their clients. Day-to-day tasks might entail interviewing clients about their financial goals and life plans, reviewing stock prospectuses or selling financial products.

In order to become a financial planner, a student must earn a bachelor's degree in an applicable field, like economics, finance or accounting. Many colleges offer financial planning programs that focus on topics like taxes, risk management, retirement planning. College graduates may increase employment and advancement opportunities by earning professional certification. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards offers the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential to professionals with bachelor's degrees and three years of financial planning experience (www.cfp.net). Candidates must also pass a background check and certification exam to obtain the CFP designation.

Financial planners will be in increasing demand in the coming years, as the aging baby-boomers are beginning to retire. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that the number of jobs held by financial planners was expected to increase by 30% between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). Many of these financial planners will work in firms, but a significant number of them will be self-employed. Self-employed financial planners may also be responsible for drawing in new clients by offering financial seminars or classes. In 2010, the BLS reported that financial planners earned a median annual salary of $64,750.

Learn More About Financial Planning Services

Financial planning may be right for you if you enjoy math and want a job helping people manage their money. If you're interested in becoming a financial planner, Education-Portal.com, offers several informative articles that will help you realize your goal.

Degree Options

As a financial planner, you have to be well versed in a variety of topics, from taxes to risk management. In addition, since you are dealing with large sums of money and your clients' finances, proper training is extremely important.

Career Options

Financial planning careers are increasing much faster than the national average of other careers, and job opportunities are high in this field. Below are some possible career options in financial planning.

Distance Learning Options

Many colleges offer courses in financial planning online. These programs are often in the form of certificate programs, though advanced online degrees may also be available.