Financial Professionals: Articulating their Roles and Delivery Methods in Financial Education

Financial education is an approach financial professionals use with their clients to build effective money management skills across the life cycle. Financial professionals conceptualize and identify their role in providing financial education in various ways. This study used a triangulation mixed methods design from a 2013 national survey to understand how financial professionals articulate their role and to determine the delivery methods used when working with clients. The survey was first included in the analysis piloted with nine financial professionals, followed by a revised survey sent to memberships of various professional organizations resulting in 251 responses. When financial professionals were asked about the financial delivery method used with their clients, their response indicated it depended on the context of the client and the content of their financial concerns. Therefore, findings suggest that the process or relationship between the practitioner and client must have elements of flexibility and adaptability woven into their delivery method based on what the client brings to the session and/or workshop.