2022 Survey of Trends in the Financial Planning Industry

A snapshot of the financial planning industry through the lens of working professionals.

About the Survey

The financial planning industry continues to change on many levels, from the regulatory landscape to client expectations and beyond. So how can you create your ideal career in financial planning? What are the most common financial credentials? What procedures and practices can you expect in your day-to-day?

This survey provides a unique glimpse into industry trends through the eyes of CFP® certificants and graduates of the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company professional designation and graduate degree programs. 

The Results at a Glance

Based on the survey results, our insights team created a report that provides a succinct look at today’s financial professionals. It includes the following information: 

Financial Professional Profile

  • Demographic information (age, gender, education, industry experience)
  • Reasons for pursuing a financial services career
  • Financial credentials earned
  • Summary of their financial practices

About Their Clients

  • Who is the typical client?
  • Client concerns and investment requests

Financial Professional Viewpoints

  • New professionals entering the industry
  • Challenges that lie ahead

79%

report having greater confidence in speaking with clients after they received their most recent credentials.

When hiring employees new to the industry, having them overcome the learning curve is one of the biggest challenges that financial professionals face.

97%

report the greatest client concern is investment or asset growth.

These are among the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company between August 31 and November 18, 2021. For this survey, a sample of 798 2021 graduates of the College for Financial Planning was interviewed online in English.

View the Survey of Trends Disclaimers and Trademark Pages