FINANCIAL PLANNING

Financial Planning

Financial Planning

Financial planning is a process of setting objectives, assessing assets and resources, estimating future financial needs, and making plans to achieve monetary goals. Many elements may be involved in financial planning, including investing, asset allocation, and risk management. Tax, retirement, and estate planning are typically included as well.

The process of developing a sound financial plan is a routine process that indeed involves not only careful financial analysis of the person's current situation and long-term commitment to implement and monitor that plan throughout his/her life, but also requires careful thinking for the future. In order to properly achieve the financial planning goals, one has to monitor the performance of the financial plan as well as make proper changes when necessary. Thus, in order for the plan to remain of use for the person and not a fortune for financial advisors, one has to make it user-friendly and elaborate.

For example an article How to manage your money, noted that one is not able to compete well without the resources and thus has to read a lot about the market. One should weigh all the pros and cons of mutual funds namely, criteria for selecting stocks, the fund managers, and track record.

Financial planning plays a starring role in helping individuals get the most out of their money. Careful planning can help individuals and couples set priorities and work steadily towards long-term goals. It may also provide protection against the unexpected, by helping individuals prepare for things such as unexpected illness or loss of income.

Financial planning may mean different things to different people. For one person, it may mean planning investments to provide security during retirement. For another, it may mean planning savings and investments to provide money for a dependent's college education. Financial planning may even involve making career-related decisions or choosing the right insurance products.

Many individuals choose to use the services of financial planners to help them reach their goals. A financial planner is a professional who provides advice and guidance for a wide spectrum of financial planning issues. Financial planners may or may not be certified and offer varied levels of experience.

Though a financial planner may make developing a financial plan easier, hiring one is not at all a necessity. There are many books, computer programs, and other resources available to help individuals with financial planning. Furthermore, there is a wealth of related information available on the Internet. The decision to hire a financial planner may depend on many things, including the financial worth of the individual, his or her goals for the future, and the amount of research the individual is willing to perform.

Interpreating Financials

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to interpret the types of financial information used by operational supervisors and managers in their day-to-day work activities. The unit focuses on understanding key financial terminology, different types of financial reports and on how financial information is used in the management of a ...