In an industry filled with titles and credentials, the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation stands apart as one of the most respected and rigorous professional standards in financial services. For us, it represents far more than a credential—it reflects a commitment to disciplined advice, lifelong learning, and a fiduciary obligation to always place clients’ interests first.
To earn the CFP® designation, an advisor must complete extensive education across financial planning, investments, retirement, tax, estate, and risk management; pass a comprehensive exam with a historical pass rate of approximately 60–65%; meet strict professional experience requirements; and adhere to a fiduciary code of ethics. Despite its importance, only about one in four financial advisors nationwide holds the CFP® designation, making it a meaningful marker of professional depth and accountability.
We earned our CFP® designations together in 2002, early in our careers, because we believed then—as we do now—that clients deserve advice grounded in education, integrity, and experience. That belief continues to shape the culture at RS Will Wealth Management today.
The CFP® Commitment at RS Will Wealth Management
RS Will Wealth Management currently has eight advisors, five of whom are CFP® professionals, with one additional advisor actively pursuing the designation. This means more than 60% of our advisory team holds the CFP® designation, more than double the industry average.
Why the CFP® Credential Matters
In an industry where anyone can claim to be a “financial advisor,” the CFP® certification sets professionals apart by demonstrating expertise in holistic financial planning. It equips planners to help clients navigate complex life events, from building wealth to preparing for retirement or managing economic uncertainties. Clients benefit from the assurance of working with someone who prioritizes their needs, leading to stronger trust, better outcomes, and long-term financial security. For professionals, it often translates to career advancement, higher earning potential (with studies showing an average 16% earnings increase post-certification), and a competitive edge in a growing field. Ultimately, choosing a CFP® professional means partnering with someone committed to ethical, client-centered advice that can make a real difference in achieving financial goals.
CFP® Professionals at RS Will Wealth Management
At RS Will Wealth Management, we pride ourselves on our team’s depth of expertise. Currently, six team members hold the CFP® certification:
- William M. Coffey, Partner & Wealth Management Advisor
- Mark A. Mayer, Partner & Wealth Management Advisor
- M. Alexandra Kelly, Partner & Wealth Management Advisor
- Frank A. Jarboe, Sr., Partner & Wealth Management Advisor
- Steven W. Wilson, Partner & Wealth Management Advisor
- Ivan Magalhães, Financial Planning Associate
This strong representation ensures our clients receive comprehensive, fiduciary-guided planning tailored to their unique situations.
Other Designations Held by Our Team Members
Credentials at RS Will do not stop with CFP® certification. Our team holds a broad range of advanced professional designations that reflect specialized expertise across financial planning, investment management, retirement plans, and institutional consulting.
Our team also boasts a variety of other specialized designations, each reflecting targeted expertise that complement our financial planning services. Here’s an overview of these credentials and what they entail:
- CPFA® (Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor):
Held by Paul J. McArthur
This designation, issued by the National Association of Plan Advisors, focuses on retirement plan fiduciary responsibilities. It equips professionals to advise on managing plan sponsor roles, ensuring compliance, and mitigating risks for employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s. - CRPS® (Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist):
Held by Paul J. McArthur
Awarded by the College for Financial Planning, this credential is for experts in designing, implementing, and maintaining retirement plans for businesses. It emphasizes wholesale and business clients, with a focus on client-centered problem-solving, and requires 16 hours of continuing education every two years. - AAMS® (Accredited Asset Management Specialist):
Held by Paul J. McArthur
This certification from the College for Financial Planning involves training in asset management, allocation, investment strategies, risk, return, and taxation of investment products. It’s ideal for professionals identifying opportunities across investments, insurance, taxes, retirement, and estate planning. - CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor):
Held by M. Alexandra Kelly and Steven W. Wilson
Issued by the College for Financial Planning, this focuses on individual retirement planning, including pre- and post-retirement needs, income sources, asset management, estate planning, and taxes. It helps create personalized retirement roadmaps and requires 16 hours of continuing education every two years. - CIMA® (Certified Investment Management Analyst):
Held by Joshua D. Donofry and Nicholas J. Schwarzenberg
Administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute, this advanced designation covers asset allocation, due diligence, risk measurement, investment policy, and performance. It requires at least three years of experience and is geared toward investment consultants providing objective advice to individuals and institutions. - NFLPA Registered Player Financial Advisor:
Held by William M. Coffey
This registration from the NFL Players Association is for advisors serving professional athletes. It requires a bachelor’s degree, CFP® or CFA® certification, at least eight years of licensed experience (e.g., FINRA series, CPA, or insurance), and adherence to a code of conduct, ensuring specialized guidance for high-profile clients.  - MBA (Master of Business Administration):
Held by M. Alexandra Kelly.
This graduate-level degree provides broad business knowledge, including finance, management, and strategy, enhancing analytical and leadership skills in wealth management.
Licensing, Regulation, and Ongoing Education
Beyond professional designations, all RS Will advisors are subject to the licensing, regulatory oversight, and compliance requirements of FINRA and the SEC. Equally important is the continuing education required to maintain these licenses and credentials—ensuring that our advice evolves alongside changes in markets, tax law, retirement policy, and investment strategy.
This ongoing education is not theoretical. It directly supports better asset management, more informed planning decisions, and higher standards of client care.
A Culture of Accountability and Client Care
At RS Will Wealth Management, professional credentials are not collected for marketing purposes. They are earned, maintained, and applied in service of our clients. Together, they reflect a firm-wide belief that thoughtful advice requires preparation, humility, and accountability.
For us, the letters after our names matter only because of what they represent: a long-term commitment to serve our clients with clarity, discipline, and care—today and for years to come.