According to findings in the 2005 Survey of Trends in the Financial Planning Industry, the reported median gross amount of planner earnings has increased 27 percent over that reported in 2004, climbing from $219,000 to $277,800 in 2005. The majority of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals surveyed (56 percent) also report that their income is the result of a combination of service for fees and commissions, while only 34 percent report that their income is the result of fee-only services.

Those surveyed reported that they believe their success resulted from, in order, people/communication skills, referrals, and their CFP certification. The 2005 outcomes confirm the 2004 findings that planners remain very satisfied with their career choice, as indicated by consistent satisfaction scores in all aspects of career satisfaction, as well as in overall satisfaction with their career in the financial planning industry.

When asked about clients' net worth, planners reported continuation of a trend from all previous years, reporting a 33 percent increase (to $1 million) over last year's reported amount of $750,000. In other reflections about the market, those surveyed reported 67.3 percent of planners prepared between 1 to 19 single focus plans, and 62.7 percent prepared between 1 to 19 comprehensive plans.

Financial planners give their clients the highest marks for their knowledge of basic budgeting and financial goal setting. The lowest marks come for client knowledge of more complex matters, such as estate planning, insurance, and tax planning.