Chapter 6

Pursuing Professional Development

IN THIS CHAPTER

Bullet Finding out what you need to know

Bullet Going back to school

Bullet Getting licensed and certified

Bullet Committing to continuing education

Specialized knowledge is the foundation for any professional, including doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors. However, unlike other professions that have governing boards and standards (for example, a medical board and state bar exams), the financial advisory profession has no clear professional education or certifying standards. Even so, you need specialized knowledge to deliver value to your clients, and you need to be licensed to conduct transactions related to certain financial products.

This chapter reveals the core competencies you need to develop in order to advise clients. I introduce you to the various governing and licensing entities that offer a range of programs for becoming a fully functional and competent financial advisor. Finally, I stress the importance of continuing education and recommend a few ways to stay on top of the ever-changing financial landscape.

Identifying the Core Competencies ...

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