`ALL FINANCIAL PLANNERS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!`

You have invested countless hours and hard-earned dollars to get where you are today. But getting and staying ahead is harder than ever. You need a trusted financial adviser to help sort through complex decisions and develop strategies for a stable financial future.

The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) is the financial specialty accreditation held exclusivelyby certified public accountants (CPAs) who are members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). By combining their education and experience as a CPA with financial knowledge and training, Personal Financial Specialists have broadened their expertise and are eminently qualified to assess your current financial situation, help you define your financial needs and goals, and work with you to develop and monitor a plan to meet your goals.

Here's a closer look at what a CPA must do to obtain the PFS accreditation:

`Education`

College education in accounting and financial topics. On the job training under a CPA's supervision. Continuing professional education.

`Examination`

Successful completion of a comprehensive examination covering all areas of financial services in addition to the CPA examination.

`Experience`

Extensive experience in the following:

personal planning process retirement planning estate planning insurance planning income tax planning

`Ethics`

Compliance with State Board of Accountancy rules and regulations and the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct. These professional standards contain the most comprehensive ethical guidelines in the financial services industry, ensuring your adviser provides complete services with your best interests in mind.

`Exclusivity`

A CPA and an AICPA member in good standing. For more than 100 years. CPAs have been trusted financial advisers. CPAs who have earned the PFS designation have demonstrated their ability to guide you through the confusing financial environment. Whether you need to build college funds for your newborn, access the adequacy of your insurance coverage, or develop strategies for retirement, a PFS is the financial adviser best suited to help you plan for a sound financial future.

`FINANCIAL CHECKUP`

Take a few moments to identify your financial concerns among those listed below:

Managing cash flow Building retirement savings Developing an estate plan Developing a financial strategy Determining insurance needs Minimizing income tax liability Building education funds Managing financial risk Planning for the care of elderly parents

A PFS can help you plan and reach these and other financial goals with services that range from an informal personal consultation to a comprehensive financial program. Entrust your financial future, and the financial well-being of your family, to the only financial adviser that holds a financial designation within a designation -- CPA/PFS. This article generously contributed by: Nolan H. Schexnayder CPA/PFS

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