ChFC® Designation: Establish Yourself as an Industry Expert

As a financial advisor, you need to be prepared for any complex situation that comes your way. Whether you’re consulted about taxes or estate planning, it’s up to you to determine the best solution for your clients’ financial issues.

To ensure that you are well-prepared to meet your clients’ unique demands, you need to be as educated as you possibly can and this often requires advanced training and professional designations. To be more specific, you need the expertise a designation like the Chartered Financial Consultant^® (ChFC^®) designation provides. The ChFC^® designation gives you comprehensive knowledge of financial planning concepts like investing, income taxation, insurance planning as well as retirement plans and solutions, enabling you to excel in your highly competitive profession.

What Is the ChFC^® Designation?

Created in 1982 by The American College of Financial Services, the ChFC^® designation is a financial planning designation awarded after completing 8 courses designed to give you an extensive understanding of both routine and more sophisticated financial planning concepts. The training process allows you to meet the diverse financial planning needs of individuals, professionals, and small business owners.

To earn the ChFC^® designation, candidates must successfully complete a eight course curriculum.

In addition to the required coursework, you must agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures:

"In all my professional relationships, I pledge myself to the following rule of ethical conduct: I shall, in light of all conditions surrounding those I serve, which I shall make every conscientious effort to ascertain and understand, render that service which, in the same circumstances, I would apply to myself."

Candidates must also meet ethics standards and professional experience requirements as outlined by The American College. You need three years of full-time, relevant business experience before you can enroll in the training program.

To better meet your studying and learning preferences, self-paced courses are available. If you prefer a classroom environment, you can enroll in live online classes led by an instructor. However you choose to pursue the designation, the program is intensive.

To prepare you for any client or situation, this in-depth educational program provides over 400 hours of financial training. If a committed financial advisor dedicates a few hours a week to studying, they can achieve this advanced designation in as little as two years or less.

Why Should I Earn the ChFC^® Financial Designation?

If you want to gain extensive education and application training in all disciplines of financial planning, you will benefit from obtaining the ChFC^® designation. Its curriculum provides you with the skills to effectively handle your clients’ most challenging financial situations and places you in an ideal position for advancement opportunities.

Earning a ChFC^® can positively impact your earnings and productivity. Surveys have shown that holders of financial designations realize a 27-51% increase in sales. An increase in profits can positively affect an employee’s work ethic and vice versa. So it’s no surprise that advisors with a ChFC^® designation have 40% percent higher aggregate productivity when compared to those with no designation.

According to a study conducted by The American College in 2013, field leaders are 59% more likely to have a ChFC^® designation than their peers without the designation. This study also found that holders of a ChFC^® designation had a 13% longer average career tenure at their companies than those without this designation.

The ChFC^® designation helps you guide your clients through difficult situations and develop a comprehensive financial plan that meets their specific goals. This coveted distinction attracts a larger client base, as it positions you as an industry expert committed to your profession. It strengthens your clients’ beliefs in your abilities, increasing client retention and allowing your business to grow.

Once you have received this professional designation, your clients will know that you possess the necessary qualifications and real world knowledge their financial situation requires, and you’ll feel confident in your abilities to most effectively manage your clients’ assets and financial needs.

Are you interested in learning more about the ChFC® or other financial planning designations? Visit our site to learn more or enroll today, or call one of our expert advisors to decide what advanced education you should pursue: 1-888-263-7265.