Page 63 - Reader's HouseMagazine - Issue 62

Why Financial Planning Is a Great Career Option for Women
Financial planning is an increasingly popular and lucrative career for women, offering high salaries, work-life balance, personal fulfillment,
and strong support networks, including initiatives, scholarships, and mentorships from the CFP Board.
Financial plan-
ning was once thought of as a male-dominated industry, but that’s quickly changing. The number of women getting their CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification is growing year over year — and for good reason: The benefits of enter- ing this field as a woman are numerous. Below are a few to consider.
onal offers good work-life balance. With the potential
to work remotely and create one’s own schedule, financial planning is a career path well-suited to those looking for flexibility and a desirable work-life balance.
• Financial planning can
be personally fulfilling. Providing competent, ethical financial advice that helps others achieve their life goals — from sending their child- ren to college to securing a comfortable retirement — can be extremely gratifying.
Research also finds that female CFP® professionals have a unique dedication to providing holistic financi- al planning. Working as a financial planner provides opportunities to uplift and empower other women, as well as members of groups historically given fewer opportunities to accumulate wealth.
• Women who aspire to become CFP® professionals will find support in many pla- ces. CFP Board, for example, has implemented initiatives to recruit women and advan-
ce their careers.
Some firms subsidize the cost of CFP® certification and give employees time away from work to study for the CFP® exam. Additional- ly, women’s networks and business councils can help build leadership skills and professional confidence, and many firms are even paying their employees’ membership fees.
CFP Board also administers scholarships for individu-
als underrepresented in the field, along with a mentoring program.
To learn more and get started today on your path to becoming a CFP® professio- nal, visit getCFPcertified.org.
With demand for personal financial advisors expected to grow significantly in the co- ming years, and the industry making way for more women professionals, it’s worth exploring this rewarding career path.
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• It’s lucrative. Financial planners are in high demand and are well-compensa-
ted for their expertise. A financial advisor can pull in
a generous salary right out
of the gate, and earning the right credentials can boost compensation significantly. The median income for those with CFP® certification and less than 5 years of expe- rience is $100,000 — and that median figure grows to $206,000 with 10 or more ye- ars of experience. In general, financial advisors with CFP® certification earn 12% more than those without.
• Being a CFP® professi-
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