Financial Planning Association Virtual Externship Officially Underway With 1,950 Registered Students and Career Changers

DENVER, Colorado, June 9 -- The Financial Planning Association issued the following news release:

The Financial Planning Association(R) (FPA(R)), the largest membership organization for financial planning practitioners and those who support the financial planning process, officially kicked-off its first FPA Virtual Externship with 1,950 aspiring CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) professionals on June 1, 2020. An alternative to replace canceled summer internships, this eight-week immersive program offers in-depth training to help students--and those interested in making financial planning their vocation--apply classroom theory to real-life scenarios.

Unlike traditional internships where interns are exposed to only the methodologies followed by the host planner/firm, the FPA Virtual Externship will expose attendees to the insights and practices of multiple financial planning firms. The result will be a more comprehensive, impactful experience for the students.

"This externship highlights the best that FPA has to offer. Our community and chapters have really shown up to support the program, and all the externs who've joined," says Hannah Moore, CFP(R), organizer of the Externship. "I am proud FPA saw an opportunity to teach and support the next generation of financial planners during this profound time, and we've created something that can guide them into our profession with confidence."

The eight-week virtual program involves some of the most recognized thought-leaders in the profession who will provide virtual instruction covering eight financial planning modules, including:

Financial Planning Module #1: Investment Planning

* Keith Beverly, MBA, CFP(R), CFA of GRID 202 Partners in Washington, D.C.

* Katie W. Brewer, MBA, CFP(R) of Your Richest Life in Rowlett, TX

* Daniel Yerger, MBA, CFP(R) of My Wealth Planners in Longmont, Colo.

Financial Planning Module #2: Insurance Planning

* Charles C. Adi, CFP(R) of Blueprint 360, LLC in Houston, TX

* Carolyn McClanahan, MD, CFP(R) of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Fla.

Financial Planning Module #3: Client Communication and Care

* Sophia J. Bera, CFP(R) of Gen Y Planning, LLC in Austin, TX

* Bradley T. Klontz, Psy.D., CFP(R) of Creighton University in Boulder, Colo.

* Carl Richards, CFP(R) of Behavior Gap in London, England

Financial Planning Module #4: Cash Flow Planning

* Kevin Gibbons of The Savvy Life in Redwood City, Calif.

* Melissa Tosetti of The Savvy Life in Redwood City, Calif.

* Hannah Moore, CFP(R) of Guiding Wealth in Dallas, TX

Financial Planning Module #5: College and Student Loan Planning

* Lauryn Williams, CFP(R) of Worth Winning in Dallas, TX

* Alexandria Wilson, CFP(R), BFA(TM) of Smartpath in Atlanta, Ga.

* Pam Horack, CFP(R) of Pathfinder Planning in Lake Wylie, SC

Financial Planning Module #6: Retirement Planning

* Chloe A. Moore, CFP(R) of Financial Staples, LLC in Atlanta, Ga.

* J.D. Bruce, CPA, PFS of Abacus Wealth Partners in Palisades, Calif.

* Sabrina Lowell, CFP(R) of Private Ocean in San Francisco, Calif.

Financial Planning Module #7: Tax Planning

* Erica James, CPA of Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc. in Annandale, Va.

* Scott A. Leonard, CFP(R) of Navigoe, LLC in Redondo Beach, Calif.

* Mark L. Prendergast, CFP(R), CDFA, CPA of Inspired Financial in Huntington Beach, Calif.

* Luis F. Rosa, EA, CFP(R) of Build a Better Financial Future, LLC in Henderson, Nev.

Financial Planning Module # 8: Estate Planning

* Elissa Buie, CFP(R) of Yeske Buie in Vienna, Va.

* Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP(R) of Blue Ocean Global Wealth in Potomac, Md.

* Matthew B. Showley, CFP(R) of Creative Capital Management in San Diego, Calif.

* Dr. Dave Yeske, CFP(R) of Yeske Buie in San Francisco, Calif.

Programming is taking place each day of the business week to provide attendees with a structured experience. Each week, lessons and case study assignments focused on that week's topic area, software training, office hours with practitioner mentors and technology partners, training to help students better understand the professional landscape, guidance on finding a job, and more. Additionally, virtual happy hours for attendees to connect with their peers and practitioner mentors and access to an online community to promote collaboration is being provided each week.

The externship is powered by TD Ameritrade Institutional, a national cornerstone partner of FPA. TD Ameritrade Institutional, a long-time leader in fostering next gen talent for the financial planning profession, is providing a wide range of support for the program, including access to their online advisor Education Center and professional staff.

"The FPA Virtual Externship brings the future to today. This innovative program not only provides students with an array of topics, instructors and networking opportunities, it introduces a game-changing way to deliver an enriched, professional development experience," said Kate Healy, Managing Director of Generational Next at TD Ameritrade Institutional. "By the end of summer, nearly 2,000 promising students - and tomorrow's leaders -- will come away with a better understanding and appreciation of the financial planning profession."

Also joining the program is eMoney Advisor, a leading provider of technology solutions and services that help people talk about money, as the externship's FinTech Partner. eMoney is providing considerable technology support, including access to their proprietary software to help students complete case studies. In addition, CFP(R) professionals from eMoney's in-house financial planning team will be offering guidance to participants throughout the program.

"At eMoney, we acknowledge our responsibility to help shape the next generation of financial planners and advisors," said Matt Schulte, CFP(R), head of financial planning at eMoney Advisor. "Through the FPA Virtual Externship, we're excited to provide students with access to the eMoney platform and give them hands-on experience with the technology that many of the industry's top advisors use every day to serve their clients."

Each week, students will also be encouraged to participate in weekly 'Financial Planning in Action' sessions hosted by the FPA Diversity & Inclusion Committee. These sessions will highlight different planners from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to share how they do financial planning as a whole and provide an intimate opportunity for students to engage planners in discussions on a range of relevant issues. Additional programming is being developed with the FPA Diversity & Inclusion Committee and will be announced in the coming weeks.

By the end of the eight-week program, students will be able to articulate various philosophies in each area of financial planning. They will be able to identify their own values that will best position them to serve their clients. Those attending and working towards CFP(R) certification will be able to receive 160 hours toward the Standard Pathway for CFP Board's Experience Requirement.

FPA Virtual Externship participants are in the process of completing a demographic survey, and a full breakdown of the participants will be shared shortly.

"The FPA Virtual Externship is providing an amazing opportunity for students, career changers and others interested in the financial planning profession to learn from a diverse group of practitioners who are sharing their diverse range of philosophies and planning practices with this next generation of financial planners," says 2020 FPA President Martin C. Seay, Ph.D., CFP(R). "As an academic who is working with students and career changers, I know this eight-week experience will provide those attending with an incredible foundation for their careers."

Registration for the FPA Virtual Externship is now closed. Those interested in the program may sign up to learn about future FPA learning opportunities here https://www.financialplanningassociation.org/learn/externship.

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About the Financial Planning Association

The Financial Planning Association(R) (FPA(R)) is the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals, educators, financial services professionals and students who are committed to elevating the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning. With a focus on the practice, business and profession of financial planning, FPA advances financial planning practitioners through every phase of their careers, from novice to master to leader of the profession. Learn more about FPA at FinancialPlanningAssociation.org and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/fpassociation.

About TD Ameritrade Institutional

TD Ameritrade Institutional empowers more than 7,000 independent registered investment advisors to transform the lives of their clients. It provides powerful technology and resources that help simplify running a business and let advisors spend more time doing what matters most -- serving their clients. Through meaningful innovation, steadfast advocacy and unwavering service, TD Ameritrade Institutional supports RIAs as they build businesses that positively impact their clients and communities. TD Ameritrade Institutional is a division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a brokerage subsidiary of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

About eMoney

eMoney Advisor provides technology solutions and services that help people talk about money. Rooted in holistic financial planning, eMoney solutions strengthen client relationships, streamline business operations, enhance business development and drive overall growth. More than 70,000 financial professionals across firms of all sizes use the eMoney platform to serve 4 million households throughout the U.S. For more information, please visit: www.emoneyadvisor.com.