Investment consultant Roxanna Bruss passed the Certified Financial Planner™ professional exam last month.
Roxanna Bruss helps North Shore Bank customers make smart investments every day — but she’s about to start seeing the returns on a big investment she made in herself.
In July, the investment consultant, who’s been with the bank since 2016, passed the exam to become a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. That’s no small feat: Besides a bachelor’s degree, becoming a CFP® professional requires a minimum three years of experience in financial planning, passing classes on each of the six areas of financial planning, completing a capstone project, and passing what she describes as a “grueling” exam. “Because of the dedication required, the CFP mark is the highest standard a financial planner can achieve,” Roxanna says.
“Roxanna has been a wonderful asset to our team, and her continuing focus on furthering her career and her newly acquired CFP credentials make her stand out in her field,” says her boss, VP, investment sales manager Erika Milosevich.
And she is now one of only two CFPs at North Shore Bank, along with Erika. Or rather, she will be soon, as she’s still waiting for the CFP board to formalize her final approval, which should happen in a few weeks. “I am anxiously awaiting that!” says Roxanna, who took a few minutes to talk to Shorelines about the experience. “I’m almost to the finish line.”
Why did you want to become a Certified Financial Planner?
As difficult as the process is, obtaining the CFP mark has always been my biggest professional goal. I knew the process of working toward the requirements would expand my knowledge and aid me in helping my clients every day. As a financial advisor, I have conversations with them daily about Social Security, health insurance, retirement plans, taxes, etc. The knowledge and experience I have gained from the CFP process have already proven invaluable as these issues and questions come up for my clients. Becoming a CFP professional will make me a better financial advisor and planner, and will help my clients trust that I have the knowledge and experience to help them achieve their goals.
What was working toward it like?
Working toward the three-year experience requirement came naturally, since my role as a financial advisor involves the elements of financial planning at every client interaction. Working toward the education requirement was more challenging. First, I had to take and pass classes on general financial planning principles, risk management and insurance, investments, tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. Due to my experience as a financial advisor, I have a knowledge base in all of these topics, but I quickly found that I still had so much to learn. The classes took about nine months total.
After that, it was time to study for the actual exam. I studied for three months to prepare. The CFP exam takes all of the information you learn through the classes and tests you on the application of those topics and principles. The exam itself is six hours long and 170 questions. It was easily the hardest exam I have ever taken, as any one question can test multiple areas, such as tax planning and estate planning, and requires you to be competent in each area to find the correct answer. The entire process was difficult, but also extremely rewarding, as I learned so much that I can apply every day.
What would you recommend to someone interested in becoming a CFP practitioner?
I would recommend a love of learning and people. Learn as much as you can about personal finance, and keep expanding your knowledge base. A CFP professional ultimately works with clients to achieve their goals, so a deep desire to help others is crucial.