SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Everyone deserves a stable financial future. From analyzing retirement needs to building diversified investment portfolios, a great financial planner helps individuals and families reach their goals.

But with a growing number of financial planners retiring and trillions of dollars expected to pass from baby boomers to their heirs over the coming decades, there is rising consumer demand for professionals dedicated to providing competent, ethical financial planning advice.

Interested in becoming a financial advisor or expanding your skills? Here’s how earning CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification will help you better serve your clients.

It builds trust: The cornerstone of CFP^® certification is the commitment of CFP^® professionals to act as a fiduciary at all times when offering financial advice. The fiduciary standard also encompasses the duty of loyalty, the duty of care and the duty to follow client instructions. This commitment means that you agree to place your clients’ interests above yours, and to consider your clients’ goals, risk tolerances and personal circumstances while working with them.

It expands your knowledge and experience: CFP^® professionals complete a two-part education requirement that includes a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university as well as coursework on 72 financial planning topics through a CFP Board Registered Program. Certification also demonstrates that you have passed the rigorous CFP^® exam and that you have thousands of hours of practical experience in the field.

It will alter your approach: Today’s consumers value a holistic approach to their financial management. CFP^® professionals are trained to offer just that.

It builds confidence: Consumers are more inclined to take your recommendations if they feel they’ve partnered with the right financial advisor. What are they looking for in an advisor? The statistics speak for themselves: 86% of consumers prefer an advisor who has passed a certification exam and completed a rigorous education program, and 90% see an advisor’s certifications as important.

To get started on your new career today, visit cfp.net/account-registration.

Earning the right financial planning credentials is not just an investment in your own future; it’s a way to help more Americans meet their goals and pave the way to a secure tomorrow.

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