(StatePoint) As a financial advisor, you can help people reach their goals and navigate the financial ins and outs of major life moments.

In today’s challenging economic climate, how can you maximize your ability to serve others? By becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional. Here’s why:

Building expertise: CFP^® certification equips financial planners with the skills to deliver ethical, competent financial guidance. CFP^® professionals are trained to offer holistic advice and commit to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary, meaning they always work with their clients’ best interests in mind.

Helping in times of economic uncertainty: Advisors help clients manage risk and make informed decisions during volatile times. CFP^® professionals led “The Power of a Plan: Navigating Market Uncertainty With Confidence,” a recent webinar available online, to offer historical context and practical guidance for today’s economic challenges. Now, as federal employees face unprecedented job insecurity, CFP^® professionals nationwide are volunteering their services, pro bono or at reduced cost, to current and former federal employees.

Pro bono work: Free, no-strings-attached financial advice enriches individuals, families and communities in need. That’s why CFP Board encourages CFP^® professionals to commit to a minimum of 20 hours per year of pro bono service and urges firms to incorporate pro bono opportunities into their workplace culture.

Reducing the racial wealth gap: According to Federal Reserve statistics from 2022, the typical white family held six times the wealth of the typical Black family and five times that of the typical Hispanic family. CFP^® professionals are positioned to reduce racial wealth gaps by expanding their client bases and providing personalized advice that is tailored to any situation.

Ongoing opportunities to help: Whether it’s saving for a home or coping with the loss of a loved one, financial planners guide people through life’s most significant — and often challenging — moments.

To learn more about the culture of service in the financial planning profession, as well as how CFP^® certification can advance your ability to give back, visit www.CFP.net.

Financial planning offers countless opportunities to improve lives and strengthen communities, making it a true helping profession.

Photo Credit: (c) AndreyPopov / iStock via Getty Images Plus