Professional financial advice linked to higher financial confidence and readiness, study finds

Households working with professional financial advisors are demonstrating stronger financial stability, greater confidence in their future, and higher levels of trust in their advisory relationships than individuals navigating finances on their own, according to new longitudinal research on financial planning outcomes.

The multi-year study by the CFP Board tracks a nationally representative group of Americans to evaluate how ongoing financial guidance influences behaviors, preparedness, and overall well-being.

Early results show that those who work with CFP professionals are more likely to feel on track toward their goals, maintain adequate emergency savings, complete essential estate planning, and describe their financial lives as comfortable rather than uncertain.

Beyond balance-sheet measures, the research points to the emotional and behavioral benefits of advice.

Clients receiving structured, ongoing guidance report lower financial anxiety, stronger motivation to stay focused on long-term objectives, and higher satisfaction with their advisor’s role in their lives. Trust levels in advisor relationships also rise when clients feel their planner provides clarity and direction through complex decisions.

“Independent research confirms that holistic financial planning makes a real difference in people’s lives every day,” said CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. “As people navigate decisions to prepare for the future, protect their loved ones and plan for retirement, CFP professionals bring clarity to complexity, help anticipate the unexpected and keep clients on track. That’s what disciplined financial planning looks like in practice, and this research shows those benefits hold up over time.”

Researchers note that the longitudinal structure of the project will continue revealing how advisory relationships affect households as markets shift, life events unfold, and economic conditions evolve. The goal is to measure not only financial outcomes, but also confidence, resilience, and decision-making quality over time.

“We’re seeing that the benefits of working with a CFP professional are holding steady in year two,” said Kevin Roth, Ph.D., Managing Director of Research at CFP Board. “As we track these households in the years ahead, we’ll deepen our understanding of how CFP professionals influence financial outcomes at every stage of life.”