College for Financial Planning Announces Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor(SM) or ADPA(SM) Professional Designation Education Program

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The College for Financial Planning, the nation's premier provider of financial services education, announced today the availability of a first-of-its-kind designation for financial professionals. The Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor(SM), or ADPA(SM), is an education program for financial advisors, CPAs, and attorneys whose practices include partners considered unmarried under state and/or federal law.

The ADPA(SM) program is the first in the country designed to prepare financial advisors to meet the unique needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples, as well as couples living in other nontraditional arrangements.

The unique ADPA(SM) core curriculum, evolved and tested for two years in partnership with one of the foremost wealth advisory firms in the country, addresses emerging financial issues of specific concern to domestic partnerships. The College will open enrollment to financial professionals nationwide beginning in November.

"The College for Financial Planning continues to design forward-thinking programs that prepare advisors to deliver the highest-quality service to clients," said Jill Hollander, President of Financial Connections Group, Inc. "I already hold the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor(SM) designation from the College, and I believe the Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor(SM) will enhance my knowledge to serve existing clients and reinforce my credibility when reaching out to potential clients."

Available as either a self-study or an instructor-led online MENTOR course, the ADPA(SM) program addresses issues and challenges that distinguish financial planning for domestic partners from planning for married spouses, including issues pertaining to wealth transfer, taxation, retirement planning, and estate planning. The ADPA(SM) program provides advanced-level curriculum designed to augment a professional's existing skills. To qualify, professionals must hold one or more of the following designations: CFP®, CIMA, ChFC, CPA, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, APMA(SM), or a J.D.

"Financial planning is not a static subject, and modern advisors need to stay as current as possible on the changing dynamics of American families and the country's regulatory environment," said John Sears, president of College for Financial Planning. "For nearly 40 years, the College for Financial Planning has proudly led the industry in creating professional designations that prepare advisors for long-term success. The new ADPA(SM) program provides the tools and expertise necessary for advisors to effectively counsel their nontraditional clientele."

For a limited time, the College is offering the ADPA(SM) program at a discounted rate of $485 for the self-study course or $585 for the online instructor-led MENTOR option. Both versions of the course typically take 30-60 days to complete. Financial service professionals interested in learning more about the program and curriculum can visit www.cffpinfo.com/adpa.html for more information.

About the College for Financial Planning

Founded in 1972, the College for Financial Planning provides accessible and flexible degree, non-degree, and continuing professional education programs to students nationwide. Shortly after its founding, the College introduced the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, which has evolved into the world's most recognized and respected financial planning credential, with more than 50,000 professionals in the U.S. having earned the designation.

In addition to its CFP Certification Professional Education Program, the College offers a Master of Science degree program, for more in-depth knowledge of the finance industry. Professional designation programs are also available with specializations ranging from asset management to retirement planning. The College for Financial Planning is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

More than 120,000 students have graduated from the College's programs. For more information, visit www.cffpinfo.com.

SOURCE College for Financial Planning