G. Christian Mauser, CFP, CRC, CRPC
As an Atlanta-based Fee-Only financial planner since 1991, Resource Planning Group believes that financial advisors should be willing to be accountable as fiduciaries. A fiduciary is required to put their client's financial interest ahead of their business interests. Financial institutions, such as brokerages, banks and insurance agencies have steadfastly refused to do that. Representatives of those institutions, which include registered representatives and licensed insurance agents, are only required to reasonably believe that their investment and insurance recommendations are "suitable" for their clients. Being a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) does not necessarily mean that you consider yourself a fiduciary. Only in doing business with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Financial Planner who is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), can you be confident that you are dealing with a true fiduciary. Furthermore, our business model is only profitable if we are successful in establishing a long term relationship with our clients. For us to accomplish that, we must consistently put our client's interests first.