The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., (FINRA) the brokerage industry’s largest regulator, has issued a warning against financial advisors using authoritative-sounding titles like “certified senior advisor” or “certified retirement counselor” because the use of these misleading designations has become so wide spread. Sometimes these designations are no more than “weekend” designations obtained by attending a hotel seminar. Some of these designations don’t require a high school education or a college diploma.
Go to FINRA Regulatory Notice 11-52 for more information.
When working with a financial advisor please do your homework: ask for references, review the financial planner’s background including the time she/he has been in business as well as his or her education history.