All financial planners are not created equal. The AICPA’s Personal Financial Specialist (PFS™) credential is granted exclusively to CPAs with the powerful combination of extensive tax expertise and comprehensive knowledge of financial planning. This knowledge is critical for obtaining the most valuable, objective advice possible.
All areas of personal financial planning — including estate, tax, retirement, investments, and insurance planning — have tax implications, and only CPA/PFS professionals have the experience, ethics and expertise to get the job done right. The CPA/PFS credential program has several key objectives:
Standardize and enhance the quality of PFP services that CPA financial planners provide by serving as the CPA exclusive mark of excellence in financial planning
Increase practice development and career opportunities for CPA/PFS credential holders
Help credential holders promote their practices through the PFP website and the development of CPA/PFS marketing tools
Increase professional and public awareness of CPA/PFS as the preferred personal financial planning credential
This handbook walks you through the steps needed to apply and receive the PFS Credential and strengthen your personal financial planning relationship with your clients