Why Hire a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)?

Personal Financial Specialists Professional or PFS Professional?

How does the PFS credential differ from other financial planning credentials, such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)®?

CPAs topped the list of most trusted financial advisors on three separate independent reports – edging out Certified Financial Planners, according to a recent survey issued by Amplitude Research, (January 2007). The PFS, unlike other credential programs, is awarded only to select number of CPAs (Certified Public Accountant) who are members in good standing with the AICPA. Accordingly, this Personal Financial Planning Specialist designation (PFS) represents the highest professional standards of any of the financial planning credentials available today and sets the PFS holder apart from other CPA financial planners. Only a CPA can be awarded the highest standard, the PFS (Personal Financial Specialist designation). In order to obtain the CPA license and this designation, (they must have at least 150 college credit hours with at least 36 of them being in accounting or tax, they must pass a 19 hour 2 day exam and have met a stringent work experience requirement). The PFS is the mark of excellence among those in the wealth management profession and is the credential only issued to the most experienced CPA Wealth & Financial Planners who have demonstrated their commitment to using only best practices and standards in financial planning. The CPA/PFS is the most respected and sought after designation in entire financial planning and wealth management community.

Why Should I Choose a CPA/PFS?

All financial planners are not created equal. Many are only stock brokers or insurance agents, calling themselves financial advisors. You need to find a trusted fiduciary adviser to help you sort through, the complex financial decisions, that you must make and develop a sound strategy for a securing your retirement and financial future. The PFS designation was established for only the CPAs who specialize in individual personal financial planning and is awarded exclusively to AICPA members who have demonstrated considerable experience and expertise in the area of retirement and financial planning. As of today, the AICPA has granted only 3,300 CPA/PFS designation to CPAs throughout the world who specialize in individual financial planning, out a total of 650,000 CPAs.

A CPA must meet certain requirements before being awarded the CPA/PFS and meet re-credentialing requirements every three years in order to maintain their status as the most trusted financial advisor.

You deserve only the best advice when planning for your retirement. Working with a CPA/PFS can help to assess your current financial situation, help you determine how to focus on what’s most important to you, as well as, help you develop and monitor your retirement accumulation and distribution plan. You need someone you can trust and rely on to provide, professional, independent, objective and competent advice — someone who has built his entire reputation on these very qualities.

A CPA/PFS combines a century of trusted advice with today's cutting edge financial strategies to help you assess your current financial situation, define your financial needs and goals, and develop and monitor a plan to meet your goals. A CPA is considered the most trusted of all advisors.

I am one of only 3,300+ CPAs Wealth & Financial Advisors in the World that have obtained this highly sought after Personal Financial Planning (PFS) designation.