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Why the Standard Matters

Anyone can call themselves a financial planner. Not everyone follows a defined process.

We follow the seven-step financial planning process set by the CFP Board, the standard that CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals are held to. It governs the order in which we do things, what we have to understand before we recommend anything, and what happens after the plan is delivered.

Our Approach page describes what you experience as a client. This page describes the discipline underneath it. Both describe the same work.

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Seven-step financial planning process from understanding client needs to monitoring progress
STEP 01

Understanding Your Personal and Financial Circumstances

Before anything else, we learn about you. Your income, your obligations, your family, your priorities, and whatever is coming that might change the picture. We gather the documents that let us see the whole situation rather than a piece of it.

STEP 02

Identifying and Selecting Your Goals.

Be work out what you want the plan to accomplish and in what order. Some goals are urgent, some are important, and some turn out on inspection to belong to somebody else. Sorting that is part of the job.

STEP 03

Analyzing Your Current Course of Action and the Alternatives

We look at what you are doing now and whether it gets you where you want to go. Some of it will already be working, and we will say so. Where it is not, we lay out the alternatives along with what each one costs and what it gives up.

STEP 04

Developing the Recommendations.

We build the recommendations from what we found, across the six core areas of financial planning: cash flow and debt, risk management, investments, tax-aware planning, retirement, and estate.

STEP 05

Presenting the Recommendations.

We walk you through the plan in sections, explain the reasoning behind each recommendation, and identify the decisions in front of you. You should leave understanding not just what we suggest but why.

STEP 06

Implementing the Recommendations.

We handle what we can handle and coordinate the rest. This is the step most plans die at, and it is the step we have built our practice around.

STEP 07

Monitoring Progress and Updating the Plan.

Circumstances change. We review, adjust, and keep the plan connected to the life you are actually living.

WORKING IN ALIGNMENT

How the Two Line Up

Every step of the professional standard happens inside one of the five steps you experience. Here is the map.

The CFP standard step Where it happens for you
1. Understanding your circumstances Step 2, Discovery
2. Identifying and selecting goals Step 2, Discovery
3. Analyzing your current course and the alternatives Step 3, Plan Construction
4. Developing the recommendations Step 3, Plan Construction
5. Presenting the recommendations Step 4, Plan Walk-Through
6. Implementing the recommendations Step 5, Implementation
7. Monitoring progress and updating Your Ongoing Planning Cadence

The introductory conversation sits before the standard begins, because it is not planning work. It is a fit conversation, and nothing is expected of you in it.

Man reviewing financial documents and expenses on a laptop at home

Our Planning Standard FAQ

Your meeting schedule will depend on your needs and the service you select. Some clients may meet more often while a plan is being developed, while others may meet at scheduled points throughout the year.

Educo may communicate through in-person meetings, phone calls, and virtual meetings. Before the relationship begins, the team will explain how often you can expect to meet, how updates will be provided, and how to reach them when questions arise.

Educo can work with clients outside the Canonsburg area. The services available will depend on your location, the type of guidance you need, and the registrations or other requirements that apply in your state. The Educo team can confirm availability after learning more about your situation.

You may not need every financial document for the first conversation. The Educo team can explain which information will be most useful based on your situation.

Helpful documents may include:

  • Recent account statements
  • Workplace retirement plan information
  • Bank and savings account information
  • Tax returns
  • Insurance policies
  • Mortgage and debt information
  • Employee benefit information
  • Social Security estimates
  • Estate planning documents
  • A list of your questions and goals

Do not postpone the conversation simply because you have not gathered everything yet.

The timeline depends on the complexity of your situation, the areas being reviewed, and how quickly the necessary information is provided.

The process may include:

  1. Learning about your current situation
  2. Identifying your goals and concerns
  3. Reviewing your financial information
  4. Discussing available choices
  5. Developing recommendations
  6. Presenting the plan
  7. Identifying next steps

Financial planning is often an ongoing process rather than a one-time project. Your plan may need to change as your life, priorities, and finances evolve.

Educo’s approach emphasizes education, communication, and personalized guidance.

The team aims to explain financial decisions in clear language, consider how different areas of your financial life affect one another, and help you identify practical next steps.

Educo may be a good fit for people seeking:

  • Clear explanations
  • Personalized financial planning
  • Ongoing communication
  • Guidance based on their priorities
  • Help coordinating multiple financial decisions
  • A relationship that can adapt as their needs change

An introductory meeting is where you can ask questions and decide whether Educo’s approach is right for you.

MORE FAQ

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A 20-minute conversation to learn about your situation and explore whether our planning approach is the right fit. No presentation, no pitch — just a conversation.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor.

Member FINRA / SIPC. The information presented is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. LPL Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax professional and attorney regarding your specific situation.

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