He previously worked at a financial planning firm in the Washington, D.C. area and as a journalist covering the banking and insurance industries. (Allan Roth | Advisor Perspectives)Many financial advisors would like to see financial planning become a bona fide profession, alongside medicine, law, accounting, and others. CFP Board also maintains internal disciplinary capabilities (meant to ensure current CFP professionals continue to uphold the standards set by the organization). Amidst this backdrop, Benz suggests that the concept of having a retirement 'number' might not be appropriate in the first place. By contrast, an advisory firm business – a true business – goes beyond just you as the founder advisor.