Top Financial Training Programs for Financial Professionals

A recent business impact and workforce trends report lists two of the top ten management and people challenges in 2021 and they both deal with change:  resiliency during times of change and adapting to change.¹  Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher who studied the nature of change; is best known for coming up with the phrase “ the only thing that is constant is change.”  Research suggests that one of the most effective and proven ways of dealing with change is continuous learning and development.

When it comes to professional development, one size does not fit all.  For example,  professional development can take the form of conferences, online courses, training programs, certifications, licenses, and professional designations.  Books are also an excellent way to develop professionally.  For this article, the focus will be on financial training programs.

Building the Case for Development for Financial Professionals

What are some benefits of professional development?  Here are three key ones that come from the Education Executive.² 

It helps you remain relevant in an ever-changing world.  The best financial training programs help you understand your client’s needs better.  Just as technology is constantly changing, so too are your client’s needs.

You’re better prepared for the unexpected.  As businesses and individuals can attest to, it paid to be prepared last year.  The more tools you have in your toolkit provide you with more options and the ability to pivot quickly when necessary.

Competence leads to confidence and credibility.  This isn’t about the number of degrees and letters behind your name, rather, it’s about the acquired knowledge that comes from a training program.  Learning new things leads to a feeling of accomplishment, which results in a boost in confidence.

Online Financial Training Resources

Becoming a Financial Coach is an excellent opportunity for financial professionals.  Different from financial advisors, who focus on creating investment strategies and financial plans, a financial coach takes a close look at the behavioral side of financial decisions.³  Coupled together, clients receive holistic advice and coaching to help them in pursuing their financial goals.

• Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional^SM. The Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional^SM designation program (ABFP^SM) offered by Kaplan College for Financial Planning^®; enhances advisor’ emotional competencies, client interactions, and financial planning advice through a thorough understanding of psychological explanations for economic behavior.
• International Coaching Federation. When it comes to financial training programs for financial professionals, the options are numerous.  For example, financial professionals who are interested in non-financial coaching programs may want to consider organizations that offer consistency and accreditation to the coaching profession, such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF). ICF is a global organization of trained coaching professionals that certifies new coaches.

These are just two development resources for financial professionals that will help you take the next step towards mastering your craft and maximizing revenue.

If you’re not sure where to begin, consider these questions:  What training program do you find interesting? What’s one designation you’ve always wanted to obtain?  Or, what area of specialization would you like to pursue?  Based on your answers, that’s probably where you should focus your efforts.