WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

At the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE®) our mission is to positively impact the financial well-being of ALL people by ensuring the highest standards for financial counseling, coaching, and education.

 

We believe in a future where everyone has equitable access to high-quality financial counseling, coaching, and education with the opportunity to achieve lasting financial well-being.
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Highest Standards

3251

Certified 
Professionals 
Worldwide

Educators, researchers, and practitioners working in private practice, government, military, nonprofit, banks/credit unions, academia, & more.

Work with an AFC
Education & Practice Rooted in Research

1547

AFC® 

Candidates

Students, professionals, career changers, and volunteers from all backgrounds learning how to help others manage their money so they can improve their lives. 

Get Certified
A Diverse & Inclusive Network

1754

Devoted 
AFCPE® 
Members

AFCPE® is the ultimate resource for members seeking to remain relevant in the personal finance profession.

Become a Member

OUR HISTORY

For over 30 years, AFCPE® has set the highest standards for the field of financial counseling and education.

We have worked with the government, the military and a wide range of agencies to set policy. We collaborate with partners that share our values and our vision for the future. Our constituents are instrumental in everything we do. Today, our nonprofit organization continues to set the standard for financial counseling, coaching and education.

The birth of an organization

First Financial Counseling and Planning Consortium held

AFCPE® formally established

Tahira Hira, Ph.D. elected first Board President

Membership exceeds 100 professionals

Sherman Hanna, Ph.D. founding editor of Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning (JFCP)

First volume of JFCP published

Setting the Standard: Certification Program established

Rooted in academic research

AFCPE® hires Sharon Burns as first Executive Director

Columbus, Ohio

First mission, vision, values & goal statements established

AFCPE® unites with the International Society for Retirement & Life Planning

New strategic plan, mission & vision established

Sandra Helmick hired as Editor of JFCP

AFCPE celebrates 20 years

The Standard

AFCPE unveils new brand identity including the renaming of the newsletter to The Standard

Karroll Kitt elected Board President

Celia R. Hayhoe elected Board President

Certification exams go online

Judith Cohart elected Board President

1st year of the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program

Earn the AFC® credential, increase career opportunities, and positively impact the financial security of their military communities

Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada (AFCC)

AFCPE contracts with the Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services to offer the Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada (AFCC)

Raymond Forgue elected Board President

Fran Lawrence becomes Editor of JFCP

Fran Lawrence becomes Editor of Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning Education

P.J. Gunter elected Board President

Gordon Genovese hired as Executive Director

New AFCPE® Website launched

Glenn Muske elected Board President

AFCPE® reincorporated from Michigan to Delaware nonprofit

New website

AFCPE launches new website including a Member’s Blog!

Joyce Cavanaugh elected Board President

AFCPE® opens office in Alexandria, VA

Monthly Minute Email

Start the Monthly Minute e-communication for members

Sharon Cabeen elected Board President

AFCPE® and FPA sign Memorandum of Understanding for partnership

Start monthly FPA Connect webinars for financial counseling

First presentation of the Mary O’Neill Financial Education Award

The award was given to Nancy Porter, Colorado State University & Laurel Kubin, AFC®, Colorado State University Extension for using Pocket Trackers in the Colorado Small Steps to Health and Wealth (SSHW)

Becky Travnichek elected Board President

Conducted 2012 Job Analysis for field

Rebecca Wiggins becomes Executive Director

Becky Travnichek & Barry Wilkinson serve as co-presidents of AFCPE®

AFCPE® celebrates 30 years!!!

Strategic Planning retreat held in Dallas.

AFCPE® and Sage Financial Solutions Partner for Standardized Financial Coaching Programs

See the Press Release here

Barry Wilkinson continues to serve as Board President

Jing Jian Xiao becomes Editor of JFCP

CFPB National Financial Coaching Project

Requires AFC® designation Read More Here

Michael Gutter, Ph.D. elected Board President

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) begins certifying employees with the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) designation

Read The Press Release Here

AFC® Earns NCCA Accreditation

AFCPE earned NCCA accreditation for the AFC®, demonstrating the program's compliance with NCCA standards. Since 1977, the NCCA (accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence) has been accrediting certifying programs based on the highest quality standards in professional certification to ensure the programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. Read More

Jinhee Kim, Ph.D. elected Board President

Staff Office officially moves back to Westerville, Ohio

Strategic Planning Retreat

New mission and vision statements created

AFCPE® resdesigned website

Brenda Vaughn elected Board President

AFCPE® launches new statewide investor education program in Ohio

AFCPE® launches Money Management Essentials Course

AFCPE® brand refresh

Jerry Buchko, AFC® elected Board President

AFC® certification celebrates 25 years of Setting the Standard

Leslie Green elected Board President

Stephanie Yates becomes Editor of The Standard Newsletter

AFCPE® launches statewide investor education program in Georgia

AFCPE® launches statewide investor education program in Iowa

Wells Fargo's Hands on Banking Community Outreach Event

Ryan Law, AFC® elected Board President

AFCPE establishes Strategic Impact Endowment Fund

Leslie Green elected Board President

AFCPE launches Strategic Impact Fund scholarships for individuals and community based organizations seeking training and certification

AFCPE earns NCCA re-accreditation

AFCPE launches Real Money Real Experts podcast

AFCPE offers FREE financial counseling/coaching for COVID-19 support

Meredith Lozar elected Board President

Michele Godfrey elected Board President

OUR STANDARDS

Our goal is to support the professionals who provide day-to-day counseling and coaching services to help individuals and families reach financial security through education, information, tools and resources.

We set The Standards for:

  • Best Practices
  • Ethical Behavior
  • Networking
  • Personal Finance Education
  • Career Advancement
  • Information Sharing
  • Professionalism
  • Rigorous Certification 

OUR PROVEN PROCESS

At AFCPE® we meet you where you are.

Our goal is to support YOU – the professionals who provide day-to-day counseling and coaching services to help individuals and families reach financial security through education, information, tools and resources. At AFCPE®, we: 

Listen: 
We get to know you and your why. We’ll ask you about your work, your background and your goals. Where are you now and where do you want to go?
Guide:

We present you with tailored options based on your unique needs and goals and make recommendations to help you decide the best fit for you.

Support:

Most importantly, we support you along your professional journey – with education, resources, and people who are committed to a common vision.

Connect:
We connect you to our membership community, training or certification programs, news and research, or to professionals and subject matter experts.
 

Ann House, AFC®

“Finance education is not an elective in life. The sooner you learn to manage money – earn, spend, save & invest – the sooner you will obtain lifelong financial well-being.”

Ben A Mercado, AFC®

"I became an AFC® to give opportunities to clients that want financial change. My work requires professional development and to implement methods that promote that social change. I feel that AFCPE® sets high standards for professionals to achieve.”

ANNUAL REPORTS

AFCPE® remains a beacon of hope for what’s possible when we come together across our differences to seek new perspectives, challenge our assumptions, and strive to find the common ground that elevates our work, communities, and shared humanity.

AFCPE has never been stronger – our community is more integrated and passionate than ever. Our team is talented, engaged, and excited about advancing our mission. With a new strategic plan, a dynamic staff, and a committed network of professionals, the organization is poised to flourish in the years to come. There is no better time to join our AFCPE membership community, get certified, or take an Essentials course. No matter where you start, AFCPE is the place to find your people.

If you are passionate about helping people with their money so they can improve their lives, you are in the right place. 

A COMMUNITY BUILT ON PASSION AND EXPERTISE

Learn more about AFCPE®’s mission, vision, and impact.

For Consumers: 
AFC®s are trained to provide a complete continuum of care – regardless of your financial history or current financial status. They will help you uncover the healthy money habits and behaviors that can lead to financial freedom.
For Partners: 
AFCPE® is proud to partner with many outstanding organizations that recognize our commitment to setting the standard in the field of financial counseling, coaching, and education. Help us expand our impact. Please contact Rachael DeLeon, AFCPE® Executive Director.
For Press: 
AFCPE® has a strong network of financial counselors, coaches and educators available to support members of the press. For media inquiries or requests for press materials, photos, videos, and media interviews concerning AFCPE® please view our Media Kit.

For AFC® Certified Professionals: 
Sharing the value of your certification and AFCPE® benefits you and those whom you serve. You can do this simply by adding the AFC® to your name – in your signature, on your social media accounts, etc. and joining the conversation! By lending your voice, you create awareness and recognition which allows us to expand our impact and create access to the highest quality of financial counseling, coaching and education. Download the Communication Kit to learn how you can get involved.

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