The Financial Planning Standards Board – which oversees around 160 000 Financial Planners in 27 territories, sets out the following definition of Financial Planning on its website. We agree with their view, and reproduce it here.
Financial planning is the process of meeting your life goals through the proper management of your finances. Life goals can include buying a home, saving for your child’s education or planning for retirement.
The financial planning process consists of six steps that help you take a holistic approach to assessing where you are financially. Using these steps, you can work out where you are now, what you may need in the future and what you must do to reach your goals.
The process involves gathering relevant financial information, setting life goals, examining your current financial status and coming up with a strategy or plan for how you can meet your goals given your current situation and future plans.
Financial planning provides direction and meaning to your financial decisions. It allows you to understand how each financial decision you make affects other areas of your finances. For example, buying a particular investment product might help you pay off your mortgage faster or it might delay your retirement significantly. By viewing each financial decision as part of a whole, you can consider its short and long-term effects on your life goals. You can also adapt more easily to life changes and feel more secure that your goals are on track.
If that sounds like a process you would benefit from, then please do get in touch with us at [email protected]
© 2006, Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd.
We believe there are 10 questions you should ask before choosing your financial planner. This template is held on the public part of the Chartered Investment and Securities Institute (CISI)
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