Financial Planning Association

The FPA is kind of like a matchmaking service that helps people find good financial planners with whom they can develop long, lasting, fulfilling professional relationships.

It can be tough to find a good financial planner. How do we know we’re not handing over our financial future to the next Bernie Madoff? Well, the FPA can help with that. Not only does their membership include tons of certified financial planners, but those planners have to adhere to the FPA’s code of conduct. They can get booted right out of the association if it turns out they gave intentionally bad advice, tried to line their own pockets with clients’ money, shared their clients’ personal information, or otherwise acted unethically.

In addition, the FPA offers all kinds of courses and seminars that everyday people can sign up for to learn more about how financial planning works. They also publish a peer-reviewed journal filled with spicy financial planning tidbits, and generally offer a wealth of services and help for those looking to dip their toe into the financial planning pool.