Leadership Message

The Heart of Financial Planning is the Financial Planning Association^TM (FPA). The Financial Planning Association^TM  is a member organization with core  beliefs and whose members adhere to a Code of Ethics.  FPA  is  constructed with a National chapter and local chapters whose members serve clients and their communities nationwide.  From its earliest designs, the Financial Planning Association^TM (FPA) included a mandate that members adhere to a Code of Ethics that reflects their commitment to help clients achieve their life goals.
 

The Financial Planning Association ^TM’s Core beliefs are:

Primary Aim

FPA^® is the community that fosters the value of financial planning and advances the financial planning profession.  At FPA, our Core Values represent who we are. They describe our intended state of being. They are so integral to our being that we would not abandon them even if we were penalized for holding them.

Competence

Our dedication to competence requires not only lifelong learning, but also that we continually assess our ability to appropriately and effectively address the needs of those we serve.

Integrity

We strive to have ever more congruence between our words and deeds, and to deliver genuine value to those whom we serve.

Relationships

We are committed to open, inclusive and respectful relationships, including collaboration among diverse parties on common interests.

Stewardship

We recognize our responsibility to act with vision, ever mindful of the effects of our actions today and tomorrow on the future.
 

The Financial Planning Association^TM ’s Code of Ethics is based upon these principles:

Integrity : Integrity demands honesty and candor, which must not be subordinated to personal gain and advantage.
 

Objectivity : Objectivity requires intellectual honesty and impartiality. It is an essential quality for any professional.
 

Competence : One is competent only when he or she has attained and maintained an adequate level of knowledge and skill, and applies that knowledge effectively in providing services to clients. Competence also includes the wisdom to recognize the limitations of that knowledge and when consultation or client referral is appropriate. In addition to assimilating the common body of knowledge required and acquiring the necessary experience, an FPA member shall make a continuing commitment to learning and professional improvement.

Fairness : Fairness requires impartiality, intellectual honesty, and disclosure of conflict(s) of interest(s). It involves a subordination of one's own feelings, prejudices, and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests. Fairness is treating others in the same fashion that you would want to be treated and is an essential trait of any professional.

Confidentiality : An FPA member shall not disclose any confidential client information without the specific consent of the client unless in response to proper legal process, to defend against charges of wrongdoing by the FPA member or in connection with a civil dispute between the FPA member and client.

Professionalism : An FPA member's conduct in all matters shall reflect credit upon the profession. Because of the importance of the professional services rendered by FPA members, there are attendant responsibilities to behave with dignity and courtesy to all those who use those services, fellow professionals, and those in related professions.

Diligence : An FPA member shall act diligently in providing professional services. Diligence is the provision of services in a reasonably prompt and thorough manner. Diligence also includes proper planning for and supervision of the rendering of professional services
 

Professional Associations, it could be said, were the first social networks developed to bring together those of a particular professional discipline, particular mission or core beliefs and provide to the general public a place for the general public and consumers to identify those professionals who adhere to a high level of industry standards within their profession. Part of being the Heart of  Financial Planning, which  is FPA and FPA of Georgia,  is also being part of a growing and ever changing  financial network. Our FPA  network offers consumers and the general public information through our website tools, virtual learning modules, virtual social meetings and local events scheduled throughout the year, particularly during Financial Literacy month and Financial Planning week.

Our FPA network offers its members  many opportunities to come together to meet, to share ideas and thoughts and to discuss best practices. Whether we meet in person throughout the year, while we are serving our communities or between events, through  FPA’s  website online discussions, the FPA Community, or through our presence on  Facebook, Twitter and You Tube ( don’t  forget to subscribe to FPA’s television channel); remember FPA of Georgia with our members’ involvement is the social networking resource to help you (its’ members) , our clients and our communities.

Darlene VanBeek, CFP®
President
Phone 404-658-4861