FPSC's Website Boasts the Resources to Help Consumers and Industry Professionals

February 28, 2001, Toronto - Financial Planners Standards Council has compiled an index of helpful financial planning resources all in one place - their website, www.cfp-ca.org. With tax and RRSP season drawing to a speedy close, consumers are desperately searching for information resources and guidelines to help them maximize their contribution, minimize their tax payouts and organize their finances.

"Many CFP practitioners take the time to share their knowledge by authoring books and articles. These efforts attest to their commitment to the development of the profession, and FPSC is proud to highlight them on its website. These works offer guidance from experienced, educated experts that will benefit advisors and their clients," says Ann Bowman, Director of Communications, FPSC.

The FPSC website lists the works of several CFP licensee authors. Books such as Taxes For Canadians FOR DUMMIES®,(currently #3 on the Chapters Bestseller's list),by Christie Henderson CFP, Brian Quinlan CFP, Chris Saunders CA, Suzanne Schultz CFP, Leigh Vyn CFP;Types of Investments: A Canadian Perspective, by Larry J. Stubbs CFP; and E-Investing: How to Choose and use a Discount Broker by Guy Anderson CFP, provide guidance on dealing with tax return errors, investing funds and finding the right on-line broker. These books, and the others featured on the website provide a wealth of information for the new or seasoned investor. Even industry professionals can benefit from books like Tax Guide for Investment Advisors, by John R. Mott CFP, which is an up-to-date resource on relevant tax information, written especially for Canadian investment advisors.

The website also features helpful tools, such as the 'Find a Financial Planner' search function, and a For Consumers' section that provides tips on how to choose a financial advisor and FAQ's on the planning process, in addition to the types of questions consumers should ask in their first interview with a financial planner. Consumers may call Financial Planners Standards Council to verify the current status of any CFP licensee.

Financial Planners Standards Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to benefiting and protecting the Canadian consumer by establishing and enforcing education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements for financial planners who choose to earn the CFP designation. FPSC is the Canadian licensor of the internationally recognized CFP certification marks used by 57,000 planners in 14 countries around the world. There are currently more than 12,000 planners licensed to use these marks in Canada.