Should I become a Certified Financial Planner ?

June 26, 2008 by Marcel

Blame it on this blog but owning Financial Dominance has turned my attention toward a career in Financial planning. Should I become a Certified Financial Planner ?
I am a Web developer with a Bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems. I am deeply interested personal finance/money management and obviously want to broaden my career.
What do you guys think ? The salary is a nice upgrade.

certified financial planner $71,000
Webmaster $67,000

View Larger Salary Graph

The school is at ROYTEC. The education program is in association with Advocis of Canada. Videos about Certified Financial Planners

27 Comments so far »

rizalino said

am June 27 2008 @ 2:54 am

thanks for sharing. great post. bookmarked it!!!
Curious Cat Investing Blog said

am June 28 2008 @ 6:35 am

A $4,000 difference in average salary is no way worth switching careers for. But a certified financial planner career is certainly worth doing. If you would like to be one then look at switching. But don’t switch for such a small difference in average salaries.
Marcel said

am June 28 2008 @ 9:17 pm

@Curious Cat

Indeed. $4000 isn’ much. But the personal knowledge and improved career options might be worth much more.
DebtKid said

am July 1 2008 @ 1:18 pm

I’ve thought about this same thing at different points in my life. I’m more in software development, but I’ve fallen in love with personal finance as well. If its something you can get while you’re at your current job, then I’d say go for it.
Elizabeth Ferguson said

am July 8 2008 @ 5:16 am

Hi mate,
theres much better available, and from Australia. Bet you didn’t expect that.. Wait till you see all the evidence and the options then make your decision.
see yu
puternerd
Certified-Financial-Planner » Ten tips for choosing a financial planner said

am July 8 2008 @ 8:21 am

[...] Should I become a Certified Financial Planner ?What do you guys think ? The salary is a small upgrade. certified financial planner $71000. Webmaster $67000. View Larger Salary Graph. The school is ROYTEC. The education program at Roytec is in association with Advocis of Canada. … [...]
David said

am July 8 2008 @ 4:05 pm

Do what you like best… keep in mind that you have already invested time and money to become a web dev.
Matt said

am July 12 2008 @ 1:00 pm

You should do what you want, but I think that salary figure may be high. It is difficult to start out as a financial planner and build a client base, so many don’t make a lot of money.
Certified-Financial-Planner » Certified Financial Planner Michael Nemeth Explains the Reactions ... said

am July 14 2008 @ 8:08 am

[...] Should I become a Certified Financial Planner ?So my question is, should I become a Certified Financial Planner ? I’m basically a Web developer with a Bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems. But I love personal finance and money management and I’m seeking to broaden my … [...]
Certified-Financial-Planner » Certified Financial Planner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia said

am July 16 2008 @ 8:15 am

[...] Should I become a Certified Financial Planner ?What do you guys think ? The salary is a small upgrade. certified financial planner $71000. Webmaster $67000. View Larger Salary Graph. The school is ROYTEC. The education program at Roytec is in association with Advocis of Canada. … [...]
Jim Bisnett said

am July 22 2008 @ 12:09 pm

Follow what you enjoy the most. Financial planners are sales people first, planners second, until you have built a solid business. If you like sales and working with people, it can be a very lucrative field.
John said

am July 23 2008 @ 7:19 pm

I think you should go the way you think is the best. That is kinda boring work to do but it depends on the person. If you like it, then there is no doubt that it is the best choice for you
Denver Refinance said

am August 8 2008 @ 9:12 am

Do you like cold calling? That’s what financial planners do. I recently had a friend who looked at getting into the financial planning business. As part of the interview process, he had to literally knock on doors for one whole day. Also, I don’t believe that financial planners start at $71k. I have known many people who got rich doing financial planning, but they are the exception. You had better like cold calling and be willing to do years of grunt work. Also, you may be surprised to find out that these guys don’t necessarily make their money investing other people’s money. They sell insurance — whole life policies. You had better learn a lot about it before you make a career move. Get out and interview a few dozen financial planners, for example.
Investing For Beginners said

am August 11 2008 @ 5:11 pm

wow…just started my career in the webmaster world, but 60k or more would be VERY welcome.

honestly, the ability to make your own hours would far outweigh the financial gain from changing careers. not to mention online entrepreneurship is limitless.
Respond said

am August 12 2008 @ 4:41 am

There is nothing wrong in that. But, before that you need to complete the education requirements.
Another biz website said

am August 18 2008 @ 5:47 am

I’ve never seen that salary widget before, I’m now researching some alternate career paths based on the salary!$67k for a webmaster is a bit higher than I thought too. Perhaps I’m in the wrong job!
max said

am August 20 2008 @ 8:48 am

With so many loans and loan companies on the market to choose from it makes sense to compare personal loans. You have a number of options available to you form our leading lenders and your choice will depend on whether or not you are a homeowner, your circumstances and loan preferences.
Financial Adviser said

am August 20 2008 @ 9:59 pm

Being a financil adviser or gaining a CFP credentiqal has little to do with finance. It’s about marketing, sales and the psychology of motivation. if you like working with people and their emotions, its a great career. People best suited to be financil planners are psychologists, nurses, teachers, helpers of any sort that are people persons.
Denver SEO said

am September 4 2008 @ 9:56 pm

Question #1

Do you like people?

Question #2

Do you like a stable paycheck?

Question #3

Can you generate business on your own without the help of family and friends?
options trading said

am September 14 2008 @ 10:09 am

You have a number of options available to you form our leading lenders and your choice will depend on.. thanks
John said

am September 28 2008 @ 7:10 pm

I wouldn’t look at the salary, but which career you would prefer. A financial planner is more of a people job where a web developer involves much less interaction. So, think of the lifestyle and your interests.
stock market training said

am October 6 2008 @ 2:55 pm

CFP is a good skill to have. If it will better your site than go for it but there likely will be less jobs in the financial services field for a few years.
Financial Planners said

am October 17 2008 @ 6:32 am

Salary always not matters. If you are really interested in personal finance / financial planning, you should go ahead.

All The Best.
sherry said

am October 18 2008 @ 11:03 am

I am trying to find out how I can become a financial planner with home study or online learning. I understand at some point you take a test somewhere to get certified? At this point are you able to make investments for people

Appreicate any information and help
CFP 2003 said

am November 6 2008 @ 3:40 pm

I’m a CFP with 10 years experience in the financial services industry and currently looking to make a career change. First off I would say it’s not really fair to compare the salary of a financial planner. Most are paid either no salary or a very minimal one with the majority of compensation coming from sales commissions. Oddly enough last year I earned $71,000, half was salary half was commission. I have seen some of the most knowledgeable investment minds struggle in this industry. I have also seen some great salesmen with little integrity or financial knowledge make it to the top. Believe me, in this industry sales come first, your client comes second. My last 3 years were with a national bank where the behind doors motto was “sell more funds, if it’s right for the client, even better.” Do you LOVE sales? If the answer is no, you probably wont like this industry. Wish someone had told me that 10 years ago! If you do LOVE cold calling and making sales then by all means go for it!!
Bodybuilding Supplements said

am November 8 2008 @ 1:51 pm

Computer information systems is more computer orientated and financial planner is more people orientated. The money means nothing if you are not happy, so pick the one you think you would like the best.
Dog forum said

am November 8 2008 @ 1:54 pm

I would listen to denver finance. You usually have to do a lot of cold calling and stuff just for the interview and then you have to be a trainee for a few years. 71,000 is about only for very established people in that career.