The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) in association with the National Military Family Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation has announced the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Accredited Financial Counselor Fellowship! They are awarding 200 military spouses with the education necessary to become an Accredited Financial Counselor and enter the financial counseling career field! Applications are being accepted now until 15 April 2010, so act fast.
If you are selected, you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to assist individuals and families in the complex process of financial decision-making, including the ability to:
- Educate clients in sound financial principles.
- Assist clients in the process of overcoming their financial indebtedness.
- Help clients identify and modify ineffective money management behaviors.
- Guide clients in developing successful strategies for achieving their financial goals.
- Support clients as they work through their financial challenges and opportunities.
- Help clients develop new perspectives on the dynamics of money in relation to family, friends, and individual self-esteem.
As an Accredited Financial Counselor you will have opportunities for employment in:
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Bankruptcy courts
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Banks and savings and loan associations
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College financial aid offices
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Community programs
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Consumer credit counseling services
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Consumer finance companies
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Cooperative Extension services
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Corporate and government employee assistance programs
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Corporate credit departments
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Credit bureaus
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Credit unions
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Divorce mediation firms
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Employee benefits counseling firms
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Family service agencies
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Hospitals
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Housing and urban development offices
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Insurance companies
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Loan associations
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Mental health associations
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Ministerial organizations
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Mortgage lenders
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Mutual fund companies
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Social welfare agencies
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Uniformed Services family/community service agencies
According to a March 2010 article in Military Spouse Magazine, entitled “Keeping the Career on Track” by Christie Lawler, financial counseling can become a highly portable career for military spouses. Sound too good to be true? Well, be sure to check it out at the weblink below:
Unfortunately, there are some military spouses who are not eligible:
- Current Civil Service employees
- Current employees of contractors serving the United States government
- Active duty or Reserve Component members of the Armed Forces
- Holders of active securities licenses
- Current National Military Family Association Staff, Volunteers, and Representatives
I was really looking forward to this opportunity and researched this career field with gusto! Unfortunately, I am ineligible (two big thumbs down and a frown). Well, there’s one less applicant which will increase YOUR chances! Act now and act fast!
Any spouses out there already completed or enrolled in this fellowship? Share your experience with us, we’d love to hear your story!
