CFP Board Financial Planning Competency Handbook. Board CFP

and in an ethical manner. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA oversees over 4,450 brokerage firms, 161,065 branch offices, and nearly 630,000 registered securities representatives.32 Other SROs include national commodities and securities exchanges. The role of the organization is to protect consumers and the general public by upholding standards of practice and ethical standards.

      While nearly all financial planners work, in some way or another, within these regulatory frameworks, it also is important to note that the majority of financial planners conduct business in ways that require knowledge of banking, real estate, and tax laws. For example, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, state banking regulators, and the U.S. Treasury all issue and enforce regulations that can impact recommendations made to clients. Additionally, financial planners should have a working knowledge of real estate regulations, such as the Fair Housing Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Community Reinvestment Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Homeowners Protection Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. It almost goes without saying, but it is worth emphasizing, that keeping abreast of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax authority mandates and tax code changes is essential to the prudent practice of financial planning.

      LEARNING OBJECTIVES

      The student will be able to:

      a. Identify the regulatory authorities that impact elements of the financial planning process. (Examples include regulation of accountancy, legal practice, real estate law, insurance regulation, etc.).

      b. Differentiate between investment knowledge that is proper to use in the evaluation of securities and insider information.

      c. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of investment advisor regulation and financial planning aspects of ERISA.

      d. Explain the relevant licensing, reporting, and compliance issues that may affect the business model used by a financial planning firm.

Rationale

      The purpose of a financial planner having the ability to understand, follow, and adapt to financial services regulations and requirements is to ensure that planning services are provided in a highly ethical manner. Financial planners work in an extremely regulated environment. Consumers, regulators, and planning colleagues expect financial planners to know existing rules and guidelines. While financial planners are assumed to be familiar with the SEC, FINRA, and state securities and insurance regulators, there are a host of other regulatory organizations that impact the work of some financial planners. Examples include the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the National Futures Association, and the major stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and American Stock Exchange. Additionally, designation and certification organizations, such as Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), enforce rules related to client interactions, ethics, and practice standards.

      Of particular importance is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, ERISA is a federal law that sets minimum standards for pension plans in private industry. ERISA does not require any employer to establish a pension plan. It only requires that those who establish plans must meet certain minimum standards. The law generally does not specify how much money a participant must be paid as a benefit. ERISA requires plans to regularly provide participants with information about the plan including information about plan features and funding; sets minimum standards for participation, vesting, benefit accrual and funding; requires accountability of plan fiduciaries; and gives participants the right to sue for benefits and breaches of fiduciary duty.”33

      Fiduciary definitions and rules are also important. Any financial planner who operates or performs functions related to a qualified retirement plan is considered to be a fiduciary. Fiduciaries must act solely in the interest of plan participants and their beneficiaries, be prudent in carrying out duties, follow plan documents (unless inconsistent with ERISA), diversify plan assets, and pay themselves only reasonable expenses. The topic of fiduciary status has expanded beyond retirement planning. An ongoing active debate is unfolding that would require all financial planners to maintain a fiduciary relationship with clients. At this time it is not known whether this will ever occur.

      Financial planners should be familiar with all FINRA and SEC licensing and registration requirements. As a reminder, financial planners who provide advice for a fee generally must register either with the SEC or with their state securities enforcement office. Financial planners who work on a commission basis must hold a qualifying license issued by FINRA. Examples of licenses include:

      ■ Series 6: Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Limited Representative

      ■ Series 7: General Securities Representative

      ■ Series 14: Compliance Officer

      ■ Series 24: General Securities Principal

      ■ Series 26: Investment Company and Variable Contracts

      ■ Series 42: Registered Options Representative

      ■ Series 52: Municipal Securities Representative

      ■ Series 63: Uniform Securities Agent State Law

      ■ Series 64: General Securities Principal

      ■ Series 65: Uniform Investment Adviser Law

      ■ Series 66: Uniform Combined State Law

      Financial planners who sell insurance products must additionally hold at least one of the following licenses:

      ■ Life and accident

      ■ Health

      ■ Fire and casualty

      ■ Limited lines automobile

      ■ Personal lines

       Related Content Areas Associated with the Learning Objectives

      ■ Financial planners must have a strong grounding in SEC regulations and FINRA policies.

      ■ It is also important that planners understand how financial services regulations and requirements integrate into the planning process.

      ■ This learning objective is linked with the function, purpose, and regulation of financial institutions, as well as consumer protection laws.

      IN CLASS

      *Appropriate for on-campus course.

      **Appropriate for both on-campus and distance courses.

      PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CAPABILITIES

      Entry-Level: An entry-level financial planner can identify key elements of the following securities licensing examinations and match each license with the appropriate product sale:

      ■ Series 6: Mutual Fund and Annuity Representative

      ■ Series 7: General Securities Representative

      ■ Series 24: General Securities Principal

      ■ Series 26: Investment Company and Variable Contracts

      ■ Series 55: Equity Trader Limited Representative

      ■ Series 63: Uniform Securities Agent State Law

      ■ Series 65: Uniform Investment Adviser Law

      ■ Series 66: Uniform Combined State Law (combines Series 63 and 65 examinations)

      In addition to these securities licenses, entry-level financial planners who provide life, accident/health, property and casualty, personal, crop, or title insurance services can recall state licensing rules and regulations. They can pass the test for a basic life insurance license if required. Entry-level financial planners can also identify SEC and state investment advisor registration requirements,

32

Source: www.finra.org.

33

Source: www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-erisa.htm.