As the membership association for CFP professionals, the Financial Planning Association ensures the voice of our members are heard loud and clear by policymakers who make decisions that affect our members and the profession of financial planning. This work is central to what FPA is and what we endeavor to do for our members as indicated by our primary aim: To elevate the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning.
Elevating the profession of financial planning is a calling; a noble cause that FPA has embraced and that requires many facets to be considered and nurtured. To realize our vision and given that financial planning is not currently regulated as a separately recognized profession, our advocacy efforts must remain a priority.
Our passion and commitment to do ‘right’ by our profession and those we serve is matched by well-funded special interests that yield significant influence over policymakers. Many of these special interests are attempting to define financial planning in their image, which doesn’t align with our vision for the profession.
At the start of the year I expressed to our members how important it will be for FPA to advocate on their behalf by having a seat at the table when potential legislation is being discussed. This means FPA cannot sit idly on the sidelines and let others dictate our profession’s future. It means FPA must continue to build on the success of our national and statewide grassroots advocacy efforts through our chapter network and through our army of trained advocacy champions. It means shaping legislation and regulation — whether at the federal or state level — to fit a vision for the profession that’s in the practitioner’s and public’s best interest.