2024 Scholarship winnersRobert Paylor and BOD
(925) 778-1165 eastbayfpa@gmail.com

Membership

Interested in joining? Contact our Director of Membership

Join Us!

There are several options for membership. The links below will take you to FPA National’s membership page, where you can learn more about membership benefits, discounts, and costs. If you have questions about our local chapter please contact us.

Individual FPA Membership
CFP certificants and other professionals who have made a commitment to the financial planning process. All members are encouraged to pursue and attain the CFP certification.

Allied Professional Membership
For professions who provide related services to the public or support financial planners in their practices

Student Membership
View membership options and pricing for CFP® certificant students and Full-time students

Who is FPA?

The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the principal professional organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professionals, educators, financial services providers and students who seek advancement in a growing, dynamic profession. FPA members adhere to the highest standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure to those they serve and take part in FPA’s One Connection™ for professional education, business success, advocacy and community at the national and chapter levels. FPA is truly an indispensable force in the advancement of today’s CFP® professionals. The National FPA is headquartered in Denver, Colo. and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are charged with setting the strategic vision for the organization. FPA’s staff is dedicated to implementing that vision and ​creating an unparalleled membership experience.​

 

Primary Aim

FPA® is the community that fosters the value of financial planning, and advances the practice and profession of financial planning.

 

FPA Standard of Care

Whereas the public expects to experience a high level of confidence, trust and clarity in relationships with professionals trained in the distinct process and discipline of financial planning, it is essential that they obtain a commitment of professional care, quality and excellence in the services they receive. All financial planning services will be delivered in accordance with the following standard of care:

  • Put the client’s best interests first.
  • Act with due care and in utmost good faith.
  • Do not mislead clients.
  • Provide full and fair disclosure of all material facts.
  • Disclose and fairly manage all material conflicts of interest.

 

Core Values

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. We want to attract as members those who share our values:

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.

 

Code of Ethics

From its earliest designs, the Financial Planning Association (FPA) included a mandate that members adhere to a Code of Ethics that reflects their commitment to help clients achieve their life goals. All FPA members are asked to commit to this Code, CFP® certificants and non-CFP® certificants alike. FPA’s Ethics Committee is charged by the Board of Directors with reviewing alleged violations to the Code of Ethics and advising staff on ways to enhance awareness by FPA members of their obligations under the Code.

 

Integrity

FPA members may be placed by clients in positions of trust and confidence. The ultimate source of such public trust is the FPA member’s personal integrity. In deciding what is right and just, an FPA member should rely on his or her integrity as the appropriate touchstone. Integrity demands honesty and candor, which must not be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Within the characteristic of integrity, allowance can be made for innocent error and legitimate difference of opinion; but integrity cannot co-exist with deceit or subordination of one’s principles. Integrity requires an FPA member to observe not only the letter but also the spirit of this Code.

 

Objectivity

Objectivity requires intellectual honesty and impartiality. It is an essential quality for any professional. Regardless of the particular service rendered or the capacity in which an FPA member functions, an FPA member should protect the integrity of his or her work, maintain objectivity, and avoid subordination of his or her judgment that would be in violation of this Code.

 

Competence

An FPA member shall provide services to clients competently and maintain the necessary knowledge and skill to continue to do so in those areas in which the designee is engaged. 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

An FPA member shall perform professional services in a manner that is fair and reasonable to clients, principals, partners, and employers and shall disclose conflict(s) of interest(s) in providing such services. 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. A client, by seeking the services of an FPA member, may be interested in creating a relationship of personal trust and confidence with the FPA member. This type of relationship can only be built upon the understanding that information supplied to the FPA member or other information will be confidential. In order to provide the contemplated services effectively and to protect the client’s privacy, the FPA member shall safeguard the confidentiality of such information.

 

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. An FPA member also has an obligation to cooperate with fellow FPA members to enhance and maintain the profession’s public image and to work jointly with other FPA members to improve the quality of services. It is only through the combined efforts of all FPA members in cooperation with other professionals, that this vision can be realized.

 

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.