The Certified Financial Transitionist Designation Program

Transcription

1 The Certified Financial Transitionist Designation Program Part One: 12-Month Core Training Part Two: 1-Day Certification Exam

2 What are Transitions? Every person every client will experience at least one major life transition, and the likelihood that more than one at a time will be experienced increases with age. Whether they begin with an inheritance, the sale of a business, or both simultaneously, transitions thrust individuals and families into a position where what was once considered stable is suddenly in flux. Traditional financial planning definitely covers the bases when it comes to important topics such as taxes, investments, cash flow, and estate planning. But that s only half of the experience of financial change. The other half is the human experience.

3 The Other Half Although the financial services industry is finally acknowledging the profound impact of the personal side of money what has often been called the soft side of our business we at the Financial Transitionist Institute (a division of the Sudden Money Institute) have been studying the personal side and creating unique materials for it for over 18 years. If we ve learned anything, it s that the personal side is not only just as important as the technical side, but that it s the side that drives decision-making.. As important, deconstructing the personal side, creating materials for it, teaching to the personal side, and evaluating the skills involved in this work has been no quick and easy task.

4 The Need for the Designation In order to develop a robust and thorough curriculum for the personal side, we ve spent 18+ years studying the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of change. We ve even delved into what thought leaders in the field of leadership say about change and adaptation. As important, we know that perceptions and expectations about change are powerful and can profoundly affect thinking and decisionmaking. We created the Certified Financial Transitionist (CeFT ) designation to give financial advisors and their clients science-based, field-tested tools and protocols designed specifically to merge the personal side and the technical side of financial change. This new designation comes only after candidates demonstrate fluency in the stages of transition, the use of SMI s proprietary materials, and the unique skill set of the CeFT. Our yearlong-plus process includes mandatory coaching, over 30 hours of coursework, and a 1-Day Certification Exam that tests content, communication, and listening. (Please know that although any financial services professional with at least five years of face-to-face client experience can participate in CORE training, only professionals who have already earned their CFP, CIMA, CFA, or CPA/PFS designation can sit for certification.) The result? Professionals who can create solutions that are customized for each client s unique values, relationships, and vision of the future. When life changes money changes, and when money changes life changes. Susan Bradley, CFP, CeFT Founder of the Sudden Money Institute

5 Our Unique Approach Certified Financial Transitionists understand human transitions on their deepest levels. They know what influences the way we think and act when our world has suddenly and irrevocably changed. They re able to identify when a transition is going well and they have tools to further enhance the experience. And if a client is struggling with their transition, the CeFT knows how to keep them safe and help them work through their difficulties.

6 Our Rigorous Program Part One $2,100 Core Training is composed of: - 6 Monthly, On-Demand Training Videos - 6 Content Quizzes - 6 Client Experiences (i.e., using the tools, writing up the results, and submitting them to FTI) - 6 Live, Web-based Experience Calls - Two, one-on-one coaching calls with FTI/SMI faculty The on-demand recordings are minutes and delve into the usage of the unique tools and protocols that characterize the work of the CeFT. During each module, a new topic or tool is introduced, and Client Experiences are assigned that take at least an hour to successfully complete). During the live, experience calls, the candidate s knowledge and skills are assessed by the faculty as well as by peers, and the Client Experiences are reviewed. Participants debrief their group on the experience of using the tools in their own practice. The result is support and the exchange of ideas around integrating the tools seamlessly into whatever process the advisor already uses. 12 CFP CE Credits are available for Core Training, not including the 10+ available for attendance at our conferences. Upon completion of Part One (including the submission of all Client Experiences and the written case), participants who are eligible to sit for certification* may use the title Financial Transitionist until they pass the Certification Exam. *Eligibility criteria: must have a CFP, CIMA, CFA, or CPA/PFS designation.

7 Our Rigorous Program Part Two Price for exam is included Upon completion of Core, certification is achieved with a passing score (65 or above) on a comprehensive exam consisting of: minute, 90 question multiple choice (closed book, proctored) minute, 15-question structured response (closed book, proctored) minute, 4-essays based on cases (closed book, proctored) minute Oral Exam that tests listening, interpreting, and acting Please note that everyone wishing to sit for certification must adhere to the FTI/SMI Code of Ethics and be in good standing with the governing board of their primary designation.

8 Our Core Curriculum Module One: The Foundation, Purpose Method Outcome, and Communication Preferences This module is perhaps the most academic as it presents the scholarship underpinning our work. From Bill Bridges seminal work on transitions to Stanford s Carol Dweck s research on mindset, to Stanford s Kelly McGonigal and Berkeley s Jane McGonigal s popular reviews of the literature and original research on stress and mindset, to Harvard s Marty Linsky and Ronald Heifetz s research in adapting to change, this module is packed with the science behind the skillset, protocols and tools of the Financial Transitionist. Purpose Method Outcome (PMO) is the structure for using the tools, where the tool or protocol is the Method. PMO is about getting to the client s why for the work they re doing. Communication Preferences is the first tool introduced. It is designed to allow clients to quickly identify their primary communication preferences for meeting with advisors, receiving information, and making decisions. Module Two: The Transition Traits Transitions often go very well, as we discuss with our Traits of Transition Flow. On the other hand, sometimes clients have difficulty processing their life event and the myriad associated changes in relationships, expectations, and priorities. We call those difficulties Traits of Transition Struggle, and they have relatively predictable patterns of behavior and consequences. This module digs deep into the traits, including how to identify them and their relationship to the science of responsivity and reactivity, and it introduces the tools that most skillfully addresses them. Usage of the traits clearly demonstrates that the client is the driver of the work with the CeFT. The traits will be revisited in each subsequent module.

9 Our Core Curriculum Module Three: The Decision Free Zone, One-Pagers, and an Introduction to Written Cases The Decision Free Zone was created to increase executive functioning when the client is faced with important decisions and commitments. Order is calming and it increases the ability to comprehend, see options, and understand consequences. One-Page Overviews are presentation tools that make use of the science of data visualization, which informs us that appropriately crafted visuals improve recall by 650%. One-Pagers create alignment between advisor and client as well as alignment within the client themselves, and the how, when and why of using them is discussed. Written Cases are introduced, as the curriculum culminates with them and their depth and complexity needs ample preparation. Module Four: Managing Expectations, What if and further discussion of Written Cases Managing Expectations is vital to the work of transitions in that it is often expectations (spoken and not) that create confusion and conflict both within the client and in their relationships. What if... is a way to explore the spectrum of options that opens up when life circumstances shift. Further discussion of written cases, as well as further integration of Transition Traits, is included. Module Five: Am I Okay?, and What has Changed? When a client is struggling, these two tools can be used, separately or together, depending on the circumstance, to provide them with some relief about their short-term cash flow as well as other parts of their life that are of concern to them. Written cases and Transition Traits are further discussed. Module Six: Written Case The written case is the time for the advisor to demonstrate their training-inaction. It represents the culmination and integration of the tools and shows the faculty that the advisor not only knows the content of the course, but that their practice is an embodied one. The candidates must write as well as verbally present their cases and defend their positions and their work.

10 Benefits to Clients The Certified Financial Transitionist Designation program benefits clients and advisors through: increased productivity of client meetings due to use of our tools, protocols and processes. enhancement of any client relationship. elevation of client conversations so advisors can more effectively help clients as they navigate transitions. achievement of greater clarity and focus on who the advisor is serving and how to best serve them. implementation of clear, repeatable processes that are efficient and that drive action.