Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The fundamental duty of a financial planning professional is to prioritize the client's interests above all else. This principle is rooted in the fiduciary standard, which requires financial planners to act in the best interest of their clients at all times. By putting the client's interests first, planners are tasked with providing objective advice, recommending products or strategies that are most beneficial to the client, and maintaining transparency about any potential conflicts of interest.

Prioritizing the client's interests ensures that the financial planner builds a relationship based on trust and integrity, which is crucial for effective financial guidance. It allows the client to feel confident that the advice they receive is specifically tailored to their unique financial situation and goals, rather than influenced by the planner’s personal benefits or considerations.

In contrast, other options do not align with this fiduciary duty. For instance, prioritizing one's own financial goals would inherently conflict with the obligation to serve the client. Advising on all types of investments could stretch beyond the planner's expertise and lead to unsuitable recommendations. Acting solely upon client instructions could potentially ignore the planner's professional judgment and the fiduciary responsibility to provide sound advice based on industry knowledge and best practices.