Society of Financial Service Professionals (ASFP)
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Calculating more than just numbers
Any accountant or financial advisor knows that success in this industry means more than just calculating a bunch of numbers. For more than 80 years, the Society of Financial Service Professionals has been helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve financial security.
During tough times like these when the public has become somewhat weary of the financial system, professionals in the industry are ever so cognizant of the importance of building and fostering trust. That’s why members of the Society for Financial Service Professionals have sought out the association to inquire about its nine areas of interest namely: investment management, employee benefits, business and compensation planning, management and leadership, retirement counseling, risk management and qualified plans.
To put it into perspective, when the organization first began, it was the only one that offered the Chartered Underwriters Designation. Today, members of the Society can obtain one of its 14 different types of certifications and degrees. Established in 1928, the Society for Financial Service Professionals was formed from CLU graduates of the American College, including a man named Bryn Mawr, in Pennsylvania. From its original 21 members, the Society has grown to approximately 18,000 members who are active in nearly 180 local chapters across the United States.
Over the years, the organization morphed into a professional association that now offers a range of services including, educational and networking opportunities for its members. It is also a means for members to learn and grow their businesses. “Our flagship publication, Journal of Financial Professionals is also something that attracts people to our organization,” says Joseph Frack, CEO of Society of Financial Service Professionals.
With their strong commitment to delivering only those financial products and planning services that are in their clients’ best interests, the Society’s members, who span the country and the globe, are uniquely qualified to assist the public in reaching their future financial goals—today, tomorrow, and into the next century. Its members can provide consumers expert assistance with: estate, retirement and financial planning; employee benefits; business and compensation planning; and life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance.
Overview of services:
Leadership and management
Business & Compensation Planning
Leadership & Management
Employee Benefits
Risk Management: Life, Health, Disability, Casualty & Liability Insurance
Estate Planning
Qualified Plans
Financial Planning
Retirement Counseling
Investment Management
New rules affect members and their clients
With a strong focus on education, the Society of Financial Professionals doesn’t delve much into the advocacy side, but rather acts as a point of contact for current information, such as new regulations. “The ongoing U.S. healthcare debate, banking reform and decentralization debate all have a financial impact on our members so we’ve watching it very carefully because obviously it has implications for members and their clients,” explains Frack.
“Our major emphasis is on delivering education as efficiently as possible,” he says.
One of the ways the association provides this essential service is through educational podcasts and DVD programming, which is congruent with the requirement of each state to keep certification statuses up-to-date. Meanwhile, ethics is also very important to the association. Through its American Business Ethics program, the association recognizes three companies that have handled a difficult ethical situation based on what decision they made.
“A lot of companies, especially large ones, have policies. But it comes down to when you have to make those tough calls, what happens?” he asks rhetorically.
Future plans
Looking to the future, the Society plans to continue its commitment to instilling those core values of ethics, education and through its series of opportunities for networking and learning. The Society’s annual conference is scheduled to happen in San Antonio in November 2010. Meanwhile, the Society will continue to expand the breadth of its service with its affiliates in Canada and in the Asia-Pacific regions.
For more information about their web-based seminars or podcasts, visit: www.afponline.org/index.html.
Any accountant or financial advisor knows that success in this industry means more than just calculating a bunch of numbers. For more than 80 years, the Society of Financial Service Professionals has been helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve financial security.
During tough times like these when the public has become somewhat weary of the financial system, professionals in the industry are ever so cognizant of the importance of building and fostering trust. That’s why members of the Society for Financial Service Professionals have sought out the association to inquire about its nine areas of interest namely: investment management, employee benefits, business and compensation planning, management and leadership, retirement counseling, risk management and qualified plans.
To put it into perspective, when the organization first began, it was the only one that offered the Chartered Underwriters Designation. Today, members of the Society can obtain one of its 14 different types of certifications and degrees. Established in 1928, the Society for Financial Service Professionals was formed from CLU graduates of the American College, including a man named Bryn Mawr, in Pennsylvania. From its original 21 members, the Society has grown to approximately 18,000 members who are active in nearly 180 local chapters across the United States.
Over the years, the organization morphed into a professional association that now offers a range of services including, educational and networking opportunities for its members. It is also a means for members to learn and grow their businesses. “Our flagship publication, Journal of Financial Professionals is also something that attracts people to our organization,” says Joseph Frack, CEO of Society of Financial Service Professionals.
With their strong commitment to delivering only those financial products and planning services that are in their clients’ best interests, the Society’s members, who span the country and the globe, are uniquely qualified to assist the public in reaching their future financial goals—today, tomorrow, and into the next century. Its members can provide consumers expert assistance with: estate, retirement and financial planning; employee benefits; business and compensation planning; and life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance.
Overview of services:
Leadership and management
Business & Compensation Planning
Leadership & Management
Employee Benefits
Risk Management: Life, Health, Disability, Casualty & Liability Insurance
Estate Planning
Qualified Plans
Financial Planning
Retirement Counseling
Investment Management
New rules affect members and their clients
With a strong focus on education, the Society of Financial Professionals doesn’t delve much into the advocacy side, but rather acts as a point of contact for current information, such as new regulations. “The ongoing U.S. healthcare debate, banking reform and decentralization debate all have a financial impact on our members so we’ve watching it very carefully because obviously it has implications for members and their clients,” explains Frack.
“Our major emphasis is on delivering education as efficiently as possible,” he says.
One of the ways the association provides this essential service is through educational podcasts and DVD programming, which is congruent with the requirement of each state to keep certification statuses up-to-date. Meanwhile, ethics is also very important to the association. Through its American Business Ethics program, the association recognizes three companies that have handled a difficult ethical situation based on what decision they made.
“A lot of companies, especially large ones, have policies. But it comes down to when you have to make those tough calls, what happens?” he asks rhetorically.
Future plans
Looking to the future, the Society plans to continue its commitment to instilling those core values of ethics, education and through its series of opportunities for networking and learning. The Society’s annual conference is scheduled to happen in San Antonio in November 2010. Meanwhile, the Society will continue to expand the breadth of its service with its affiliates in Canada and in the Asia-Pacific regions.
For more information about their web-based seminars or podcasts, visit: www.afponline.org/index.html.
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