General Financial Planning - FP511 - Module 1 Flashcards
What is the goal of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct
- To establish best practices within the financial planning profession.
- Specifically, the Code and Standards are intended to:
1- benefit and protect the public,
2- provide standards for delivering financial planning, and
3- advance financial planning as a distinct and valuable profession. - Establish the level of professional practice that is expected of CFP professionals.
Define: Economic Assumptions
Based on economic-related data or performance (current and/or historical), such as inflation rates and investment returns.
Define: Financial Planning
A collaborative process that helps maximize a client’s potential for meeting life goals through financial advice that integrates relevant elements of the client’s personal and financial circumstances.
Define: Personal Assumptions
Based on client-related variables, such as retirement age(s), life expectancy(ies), income needs, risk factors, time horizon, and special needs.
Define: Practice Standards for the Financial Planning Process
A section of the Code and Standards in which the financial planning process is broken down into seven distinct steps. Also known as practice standards.
Define: Quantitative Data
- Is measurable or expressed as a quantity or number.
- Examples include current financial information, assets and liabilities, and cash inflows and outflows.
- Also known as objective data.
Define: Qualitative Data
- Is related to the subjective quality of a client’s life. This data often represents a client’s individual traits, values, opinions, attitudes, and beliefs.
- Examples include financial goals and objectives, health status, and risk tolerance.
- Also known as subjective data.
Define: Relevant Elements
- Are incorporated into the Financial Planning process when Financial Planning takes place.
- These elements vary depending on the client and their circumstances.
- Examples include developing client goals, managing assets and liabilities, managing cash flow, providing for educational needs, achieving financial security, preserving or increasing wealth, preparing for retirement, and addressing estate and legacy matters.
Define: Contextual Variables
Personal and financial circumstances withing the life cycle influenced by things like:
- age
- family status (traditional family, single parent, same-sex couples, blended families, widowhood, dependents)
- financial status (net worth and income level)
- life or professional stage (student, starting a career, career transition, pre-retirement, retirement)
- other circumstances (health issues, divorces, change of employment status, aging parents, special needs children)
- as well as attitudes, values, beliefs, biases, and behavioral characteristics.
What are the 7 steps of the Financial Planning Process?
1- Understand the client’s personal and financial circumstances
2- Identify and select goals
3- Analyze the client’s current course of action and potential alternative course(s) of action
4- Develop the financial planning recommendation(s)
5- Present the financial planning recommendation(s)
6- Implement the financial planning recommendation(s)
7- Monitor progress and update
Step 1 of the Financial Planning Process is to understand the client’s personal and financial circumstances. What actions are taken within this step?
1- Obtain qualitative and quantitative data
2- Analyze information
3- Address incomplete information
Step 2 of the Financial Planning Process is to identify and select goals. What actions are taken within this step?
1- Identify potential goals
2- Select and prioritize goals
Step 6 of the Financial Planning Process is to implement the financial planning recommendations. What actions are taken within this step?
1- Address implementing responsibilities
2- Identify, analyze, and select actions, products, and services
3- Recommend actions, products, and services for implementation
4- Select and implement actions, products, or services
Step 7 of the Financial Planning Process is to monitor progress and update. What actions are taken within this step?
1- Establish monitoring and updating responsibilities
2- monitor client’s progress
3- Obtain current qualitative and quantitative data
4- Update goals, recommendations, or implementation decisions
What are the CFP approved nouns?
- Certificant
- Professional
- Practitioner
- Certification
- Mark
- Exam
T/F: Planner is an approved CFP noun.
FALSE
T/F: As a CFP certificant, the planner does not have the authority to represent the views of the CFP board.
TRUE
When a client-planner engagement involves financial advice for which financial planning is required, and the client doesn’t enlist the planner for services, the planner must abide by:
Fiduciary Duty and the Code of Ethics