As my retirement from CFP Board approaches in the coming weeks, I’ve found myself thinking about something I’ve heard many CFP® professionals say over the years: Financial planning is the best job in the world. You see it in the relationships you build and in the role you play during some of the most important decisions of people’s lives. For many years, I’ve felt the same way about my own role.
Serving the public and this profession has been the most rewarding part of my career. Along the way, I’ve had the chance to help shape how financial planning has grown and evolved, while seeing firsthand the impact you have on families and communities every day.
What has always stayed with me is the belief that this profession should be open to talented people from all walks of life. Many CFP® professionals found their way here because someone encouraged them, opened a door or helped them see what was possible. Every time someone new finds a path into this profession, they bring fresh energy and perspective that strengthens the field and the people it serves.
That belief is at the heart of the new Kevin R. Keller Scholars Program. The program expands access to financial planning education and supports the next generation of CFP® professionals, particularly students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Fundamentally, it’s about helping more students move forward toward a career that so many CFP® professionals believe is the best job in the world. As a first-generation college student myself, I understand how far support like this can go.
If this work resonates with you, consider contributing to the Scholars Program. Your support helps create opportunities for students who will carry this profession forward.
Thank you for the work you do every day to serve the public with integrity and care. It has been an honor to be part of this profession alongside you, and the future of financial planning is in strong hands.
New Managing Director for Program Development Named
CFP Board has appointed Ben Roberts, CPTD, SHRM-SCP as Managing Director of Program Development. Roberts brings more than two decades of program development and stakeholder engagement experience and will lead the innovation, development and delivery of programs, products and services that create meaningful value for CFP® professionals and advance the financial planning profession. Read more here.
Get a Sneak Peek at New Ad
Our award-winning campaign is back! Join us for a one-hour webinar to see how CFP Board’s Public Awareness Campaign continues to expand awareness of the importance of working with a CFP® professional. Be among the first to view the new national TV ad for the “It’s Gotta Be A CFP®” campaign, along with a preview of supporting digital, social and graphic elements. You’ll also hear insights on campaign objectives, key results and the 2026 media strategy.
Join CFP Board leaders for a conversation about what’s next for the profession at the CFP® Certificant Connection Webinar on March 11 from 1-2 p.m. ET. Have questions? Submit them during registration and hear responses during the live Q&A following the town-hall style discussion.
Financial Planning Review Receives Global Recognition
CFP Board’s peer-reviewed academic journal, Financial Planning Review (FPR), has been included in the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) Journal Quality List (JQL). This recognition underscores the journal’s growing prominence in global academic research on financial planning. The ABDC Journal Quality List is a widely used and respected resource for assessing the quality and impact of business-related academic journals. Read more here.
Shape Your Future in Financial Planning
Know someone considering a career in financial planning? CFP Board is offering several upcoming programs designed to help prospective and current CFP® professionals explore the path and build a rewarding career.
CFP® Pro Career Studio - March 3-5: Hear from career changers who have successfully transitioned into financial planning during this three-day virtual event.
Spring 2026 Virtual Career Fair - April 17: Connect with firm representatives and explore current opportunities across the profession.
Washington Update
Congress returned this week from its President’s Day recess as President Trump delivered his State of the Union address and lawmakers faced a major hurdle in funding the Department of Homeland Security. In his Tuesday evening remarks, the president called for expanding retirement savings programs and touted a range of affordability measures. Read more about the State of the Union, housing and crypto legislation moving through Congress, and new Treasury Department tools supporting responsible artificial intelligence adoption in the full February 2026 Public Policy Update.
Call to Action: CFP Board's New Advocacy Tool
Our new grassroots advocacy platform, Voter Voice, makes it easy to contact your elected officials on key issues in just a few clicks. When critical legislation comes up for a vote or needs additional support, we can now mobilize CFP® professionals quickly to ensure your voice is heard on the issues that matter most.
And the time to act is now! While you will also receive an email soon, we are asking our Public Policy Update readers to take action now to support the Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams and Disasters Act.After clicking this link, you will be prompted to enter your name and home address so the system can identify your members of Congress. It will then generate a prewritten message asking them to support the bill or thanking them if they have already done so. Please let us know about your experience using the tool by submitting your feedback here.
CFP® Exam Update: Register for the March CFP® Exam
Time is running out to register for the March exam: Late registration closes March 3. Prefer to test this summer? Registration is now open for the July exam, with the testing window scheduled for July 14 to July 21. Learn more and register at CFP.net/exam.
From LetsMakeAPlan.org: "Your Medicare Road Map: What to Know Before You Turn 65"
CFP Board Ambassador Charles Weeks, JD, CFP® explains Medicare enrollment timelines, outlines the differences in Parts A, B, C and D, and compares Original Medicare with Medicare Advantage to help clients make informed decisions about their coverage.
Pro Bono Update: Volunteer Voices: Alissa Maizes, CFP®
“I volunteer because I’ve seen how financial abuse can control someone’s life, especially when they don’t have access to expert financial advice. Through my work with Savvy Ladies, I meet clients where they are and help them build budgets, grow emergency savings, increase income, reduce debt and regain control. Watching someone move from feeling financially scared to confidently building security is why I do this work.”
CFP® professionals are making this kind of impact every day. If you’ve volunteered pro bono in the last three years, please take a moment to report your pro bono hours. Tracking service helps demonstrate the collective impact of CFP® professionals and expand access to financial planning nationwide.
Donate to Support the Center's Initiatives
Consider including CFP Board Center for Financial Planning in your 2026 charitable giving plans. The Center expands access to CFP® certification, strengthens the talent pipeline and helps more Americans benefit from competent, ethical financial planning advice. Support this work with a charitable gift through your CFP Board Account or at CFP.net/donate.
At CFP Board, we believe each employee contributes directly to our organization's growth and success. We're currently looking to fill several positions in our Washington, DC, office. View the list of currently open positions, and please share these opportunities with your colleagues who may be interested.
