Related Posts
More Posts
Joined this week. What can I expect from Mr V
Additional Posts in Independent RIA
Texas FA’s when is your office re-opening?
Has anyone used Smart Asset for lead generation?
Anyone use SmartAsset for leads? Any success?
How do you advertise?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.



A CFP is arguably helpful if you’re a few years out of college and are offering your services to people older than you—the certification can help provide them confidence you’ve been through some level of additional training / education.
Yes, some clients look for the first 2 designations, but not a significant number...although "fiduciary" is becoming a common question. I haven't run into a client knowing what a CFA is or wanting an MBA. I'm sure they are somewhere.
And also no, at the end of the day, your knowledge and ability to explain complex abstract concepts while remaining trustworthy is all anyone really wants.
Younger and newer advisors likely get more credit for ddsignations than seasoned advisors.
Credentials matter but offer no recourse to clients if the Advisors with the credentials give them bad advice and doesn’t deliver the highest level client experience. It takes an allocation of time and money toward earning the credentials.
CFA only matters to institutional investors. For retail, CFP is usually enough.