First, it’s more than just an acronym. Unlike some designations that are worth little more than the paper they’re printed on, the CFP  (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER) designation is one of the most esteemed financial certificates around. Each CFP  is held to an extremely high standard and requires an immense amount of work. Typically nine months to two years of study. When you choose a CFP professional, you can be assured that you’re working with a financial advisor who has demonstrated competency and made a commitment to ethics. CFP professionals must successfully complete a multi-year, multi-step process to obtain the skills and real-life experience they need to serve your best interests, no matter what your financial goals are.