The number of global Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals passed 230,000 for the first time in 2024, latest data shows.

The number of CFP professionals worldwide increased by 6,878 over the previous year to hit 230,648 as at 31 December, according to the Financial Planning Standards Board which sets global CFP standards.

In the UK there are now 1,064 CFP certified advisers, an increase of 19% since 2019.

One of the major milestones highlighted by the FPSB was the growth of the CFP certification in Ireland, where 2024 saw the number of advisers holding the CFP certification pass 1,000 for the first time.

In Britain and Northern Ireland the Certified Financial Planner certification is available to Financial Planners from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). The qualification is an alternative to the more widely held Chartered Financial Planner qualification provided by the PFS/CII.

The CISI appointed a new country head for Ireland in December with a remit to increase membership of the professional body. 

The CISI is based in the City of London and also awards CISI Chartered Firm status to firms. It has 54,000 members in over 100 countries.

The Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) said the growth in the number of CFP professionals demonstrated rising demand for high quality Financial Planning advice.

FPSB CEO Dante De Gori CFP said: “The continued global growth of CFP certification supports the rising demand for Financial Planners who commit to the delivery of competent and ethical Financial Planning advice.”

The United States and Brazil saw the largest net increases, with net growth of 4,218 and 1,255 CFP professionals, respectively.

The United States continues to have the greatest number of CFP professionals, with 103,093 professionals at the end of 2024.

Four countries saw double-digit growth rates in their number of CFP professionals in 2024: Thailand (18.5%), India (17.7%), Brazil (13.4%) and Switzerland (12.2%).

Mr De Gori added that the FPSB has evidence that CPF professionals “transform lives.”

He said: “According to our global consumer research, clients who work with CFP professionals experience a better quality of life, greater financial confidence and resilience, along with higher satisfaction in their financial situations. In fact, 98% of clients trust their CFP professional to act in the client’s best interests—a testament to the profound value and trust CFP professionals bring to their clients' lives."

The FPSB is a global community of Financial Planning bodies representing over 230,000 Certified Financial Planning professionals worldwide including 1,064 in the UK.

Among other events, the FPSB runs World Financial Planning Day, which is supported in the UK by the CISI.