Certified Financial Planners at Windsor

What is a CFP (Certified Financial Planner)?

Most people think that all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true. Anyone can claim to be a “financial planner.” Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP^® certification marks.

Individuals certified by the CFP Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate their professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP^® certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience and ethical requirements. These standards are called “the four E’s,” and they are four important reasons why the financial planning practitioner you select should display the CFP^® certification marks.

When selecting a certified financial planner, you need to feel confident that the person you choose to help you plan for your future is competent and ethical. The CFP^® certification can help to provide that sense of confidence by allowing only those who meet the following requirements the right to use the CFP^® certification marks.

CFP^® Certification Requirements: The Four E’s

Education: CFP^® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board. Other options for satisfying the education component include submitting a transcript review or previous financial planning-related coursework to CFP Board for review and credit, or showing the attainment of certain professional designations or academic degrees.

Examination: CFP^® practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, six-hour CFP^® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.

Experience: CFP^® professionals must have three years’ minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP^® certification marks. As a result, CFP^® practitioners possess financial counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.

Ethics: As a final step to certification, CFP^® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP Board also performs a background check during this process, and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct.

How the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics Benefits You

Through the Code of Ethics, CFP^® practitioners agree to act fairly and diligently when providing you with financial planning advice and services, putting your interests first. The Code of Ethics states that CFP^® practitioners are to act with integrity, offering you professional services that are objective and based on your needs. They are required to provide you with information about their sources of compensation and conflicts of interest in writing.

Ongoing Certification Requirements for Certified Financial Planners

Once certified, CFP^® practitioners are required to maintain technical competence and fulfill ethical obligations. Every two years, they must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education to stay current with developments in the financial planning profession and better serve clients. Two of these hours are spent studying or discussing CFP Board’s Code of Ethics or Practice Standards. In addition to the biennial continuing education requirement, all CFP^® practitioners voluntarily disclose any public, civil, criminal or disciplinary actions that may have been taken against them during the previous two years as part of the renewal process.

Windsor Wealth CFPs

Here at Windsor, we have 3 experienced certified financial planner professionals on our team of advisors. Windsor Wealth certified financial planner Carlos Dominguez, Christina Jones, and Jon Peterson have over 60 years of combined experience helping clients reach their financial goals.

In addition to his position as the Senior Financial Advisor, Carlos is also responsible for directing investment approaches and methods for the company. Receiving numerous recognitions throughout his career including being named a Premier Advisor by Wells Fargo Advisors, Carlos’ experience speaks for itself. With a long track record of providing excellent client service and attention to detail, it is easy to see why Carlos is one of the most trusted CFP professionals in North Georgia.

Christina, in addition to her role as a Certified Financial Planner, is responsible for developing working investment strategies and alternatives for Windsor clients. Through her work as a Certified Financial Planner in Gainesville, Christina discovered a sector of the industry needing attention—woman investors. Understanding the discrepancies between how male and female clients are approached in the industry, Christina saw an opportunity to advise female investors and provide them with a resource for financial questions and guidance. By focusing her efforts on woman investors, Christina has built a large client base of women who now feel confident that they are making the right financial decisions for themselves and their families.

Jon joined Raymond James in 2024 after nine years with Edward Jones. Jon’s education in finance comes from The College for Financial Planning where he obtained the Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ designation. Additionally, Jon attended the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business to equip him to receive the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.