WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
At AFCPE® our mission is to ensure the highest level of knowledge, skill and integrity of the personal finance profession by certifying, connecting and supporting diverse and capable professionals who serve communities worldwide.
We believe in a future where all people — regardless of income or background —are empowered to achieve lasting financial well-being through the highest standards of financial counseling, coaching and education.
2,300
Certified
Professionals
Worldwide
Educators, researchers, counselors, military, coaches, and more.
18
Leading-edge Publications and Resources
Including our semi-annual research journal, our quarterly newsletter and our Monthly Minute e-newsletter.
1,350
Devoted
AFCPE®
Members
AFCPE® is the ultimate resource for members seeking to remain relevant in the personal finance profession.
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
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
- Best Practices
- Ethical Behavior
- Networking
- Personal Finance Education
- Career Advancement
- Information Sharing
- Professionalism
- Rigorous Certification
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.
Most importantly, we support you along your professional journey – with education, resources, and people who are committed to a common vision.
ANNUAL REPORTS
At AFCPE® we are setting a standard, the standard. We are teaching our financial professionals to use education and empathy to affect long-term change. Not just because it’s the best thing to do, but because it’s the right thing to do.
It’s right to demand professionalism and excellence for all people, not just those with wealth. It’s right to commit to a higher level of knowledge because each person is unique and deserves a customized financial solution. It’s right to care about our clients and our communities, and to use our expertise to help them reach life goals and expand opportunities. It’s right to be forward-thinking, to be focused and compassionate, to make a different not just in dollars and cents, but in people’s lives.
At AFCPE® we are setting the standard, because it’s what we are inspired to do.
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 joing 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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