FPA and NAPFA: Financial Planning Thought Leaders

By Joe Messinger, CFP®

April 25, 2019

2 min READ

Welcome to May 2019! Joe Messinger will be a hard man to find this month. Joe is excited to be speaking at several financial industry events coming up this month. While Joe travels the country, we wanted to tell you about what he’s up to. We are honored to partner with these two distinguished financial planning thought leaders.

Financial Planning Association ®

The Financial Planning Association ® , or FPA ®, is an organization devoted to elevating “the profes​​​sion that transforms lives through the power of financial planning.” FPA members are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, educators, financial services providers and students. To belong to this organization, you must be dedicated to the “high standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure when serving clients.” FPA serves their membership with continuing education and professional development with national and local chapters. (Click here for our local Central Ohio FPA chapter.)

Joe will be attending and presenting at the FPA Annual Retreat on May 6-9. The Retreat is an opportunity for professionals to come together to “shape and advance the growth of the financial planning profession.” Joe will be presenting his “Ending the Student Loan Crisis One Family at a Time” program to attendees.

Financial advisors are often at a loss on how to advise their clients when it comes to paying for college so Joe leads a discussion to teach them:

• how to project a family’s financial aid and out of pocket cost at individual institutions
• how to create a family college budget using a one page college funding plan
• ensure students graduate with manageable debt without robbing retirement
• understand the key differences in the federal and institutional formulas used to determine a family’s expected family contribution (EFC) and need based financial aid eligibility.

Later in May, Joe will be presenting at the FPA chapter meeting in San Diego. Because smart college planning is an important topic for families, Joe has been asked to speak at many chapter meetings around the country on the topic. Financial advisors who attend are eligible for continuing education credit.

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, or NAPFA, is “the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors.” NAPFA members have pledged to serve their clients and support their relationships with them without selling commission products. They strive to be independent and objective serving their clients and the public interest while being “the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.” Like the FPA, NAPFA members have continuing education responsibilities to fulfill every year.

Joe will be attending the NAPFA Spring Conference in May to speak to members about changes in the area of college funding advice. NAPFA members must continue to stay up-to-date on all aspects of their profession. Joe is grateful to be bringing the latest on the topic of college funding to this conference.

Why are these organizations important?

Because the protection of your interests is paramount. Families need to know they can trust advisors who put the interests of the client first. Membership in organizations like the FPA and NAPFA ensure advisors are held to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and education.

Capstone Wealth Partners and Joe Messinger are honored and grateful to be among the financial planning thought leaders for these organizations on the topic of paying for college.