By Shawn Peters
I’m so glad to be working at Christian Financial Advisors® again as a Wealth Advisor. For those who aren’t aware, I worked with the team from 2008 to 2013 as an advisor. After working seven years in website development and IT, I rejoined the team in early 2020 after God opened the door for me to return. Since that time, I have been working to improve both our technological capabilities and operational efficiency so we have more time to focus on our clients.
We have a phrase at the office, High-Tech and High-Touch, which reminds us that technology can aid in improving efficiency, but it shouldn’t replace the human element people need. Mundane, repetitive tasks can be handled by computers, but relationships are between people, not screens.
I am currently studying to obtain two new professional designations: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). The CFA® Program is a three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning. Each exam is progressively more comprehensive in subject matter and level of difficulty.
This designation is valuable for showing aptitude towards the ongoing management of portfolios on a professional level. CFP® certification is the standard of excellence in financial planning. CFP® professionals must meet rigorous education, training, and ethical standards, and they are committed to serving their clients’ best interests. Both the CFA® and CFP® designations require ongoing continued education to maintain them. The CFP® certification requires both a 4-year college degree and a minimum level of experience in addition to passing the exam. Thankfully, I meet both requirements as I have a B.S. in Business Finance from Liberty University and seven years of combined experience in wealth management.
My hope in passing these difficult and prestigious exams is to show our clients my commitment to serving them with the same level of professionalism as our founder, Bob Barber, has throughout the last 30 years. I hope you’ll consider keeping me in your prayers as my first exam is scheduled for mid-February.
