Does hiring a financial advisor with a CFP® mark really matter?

A CFP® or CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ PROFESSIONAL is a fiduciary which means they make decisions with your best interests in mind.

gold standard in financial planning

rigorous ethical standards

provide peace of mind

How do you find a competent advisor you can trust?

Finding an expert financial advisor can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know who to trust. You want to feel safe and secure with your financial advisor! At Goodwin Investment Advisory we care about you!

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Are you overwhelmed and uncertain?

We understand your concerns as it is difficult to know how to find an advisor who puts your goals and interests first. Sometimes simply asking for help is the best thing you can do. But, finding the right advisor can feel daunting.

  • Anxious about the future and your retirement?

  • Do you feel safe when it comes to your financial future?

  • Are you uncertain about how to best manage your wealth?

  • Do you lack peace of mind when it comes to your money, or current financial plan?

  • What are you currently doing to prepare yourself for retirement?

Let us help you gain clarity and peace of mind. What does it mean to be a CFP®?

Our lead advisors are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ PROFESSIONALS, CFP®, which means: they must operate from a specific code of ethics and in the clients best interest at all times, meet the ongoing education requirement, complete 6,000 hours of professional experience, and pass a certification exam.

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commitment to ethical standards

Our CFP® Professionals commit to the CFP Board to uphold high ethical standards outlined in the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

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education requirement

The education requirement enables our advisors to provide competent and knowledgeable financial advice.

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professional experience

Each of our fully credentialed CFP® advisors have over 6,000 hours of professional experience in financial planning.

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certification exam

Passing the exam demonstrates that each advisor has attained the knowledge and competency necessary to provide comprehensive personal financial planning advice.

Did you know – it is estimated that only 34% of advisors in the USA are CFP® professionals as of December 31st, 2024!

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Making a decision to trust someone to manage your wealth is not easy – but our team is here to help!

“Making no choice, is actually making a choice.” Every choice takes us to or away from some goal. Choosing to do nothing with your hard earned money might allow you to keep what you have now, but our team can help you invest your wealth with a risk profile that is specified by you.

What is the benefit to you, knowing that your advisor is a CFP® professional?

Our advisors adhere to the CFP BOARD code of ethics and standards, and we strive at all times to provide:

  • Competent, professional care

  • An advisor that acts in your best interest

  • Honesty, integrity and diligence

  • Objective judgement that helps you to reach your goals

  • Confidentiality and privacy

  • Compliance with applicable laws

For more information on the Code of Conduct and CFP BOARD standards Visit the CFP® website

hiring a CFP®

How our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ PROFESSIONALS can help guide you.

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create a retirement plan that brings you confidence and peace of mind.

You are asking, “Can I retire?” and you are looking for a plan that brings you confidence and peace of mind in how your wealth is managed. We would love to hear your story and work together to create a plan to reach your dreams.

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feel secure in your financial plan

How can you accomplish your financial goals at a pace that aligns with your risk level and phase of life? You might be asking, “Will my money last, and will you adjust my plan when necessary?” With a plan tuned to your dreams we can help you feel secure with the answers to these questions.

how to hire us

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schedule your consultation

Contact Goodwin Investment Advisory today to schedule your complimentary introductory consultation. This is your first step towards personalized financial planning and investment management.

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develop your strategy

Together with your CFP®advisor, we will assess your financial situation, discuss your goals, and craft a tailored investment strategy that aligns with your aspirations and risk tolerance.

Join our client family

achieve financial success

Implement your personalized investment plan and begin making your financial goals a reality. Enjoy the peace of mind and security that comes from having clarity about your financial future.

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* latest 10 reviews as of 1/2026

I feel confident that our retirement account is being well managed

Everytime we meet with Joe Beckford to review our financial plan I feel confident that our retirement account is being well managed. Its very important to me that this advisory firm understands the world from a Christ centered view being concerned for giving to advance the Gospel as well as taking care of ones own family.

James Cook

client

Very friendly, responsive to questions, and knowledgeable.

New client:
Very friendly, responsive to questions, and knowledgeable.

Pam Hamrick

client

We have used fiduciaries in the past but none compare to Goodwin’s

We have used fiduciaries in the past but none compare to Goodwin’s. Justin and Ray are professional; very knowledgeable of all things financial; responsive to our needs; and proactive in advising us of opportunities.
– Kathryn Jones

Kathryn Jones

client

5 stars

5 stars

Michael Fritz

client

We are very pleased with Joe

My wife and i have been with Joe Beckford at Goodwin Investments for several years. We are very pleased with Joe and really appreciate the way he manages our money

Jim Gray

client

They sent out enough reminders to make sure I was on the scheduled call

They sent out enough reminders to make sure I was on the scheduled call but the person I was suppose to have the call with was too busy. Their services they offered are not for me, many other financial advisors have more offerings. I would of not given a review except she sent me an email asking me how I felt about my experience with her.

Steven Wares

non-client

I feel confident and fortunate working with Justin Pitcock

I feel confident and fortunate working with Justin Pitcock, MBA, CFP®, at Goodwin Investment Advisory. His personalized, thoughtful approach makes retirement planning feel manageable and stress-free. The firm helps you design and live the retirement you envision, providing expert guidance on planning, wealth management, and tax strategies, while celebrating milestones along the way. It’s reassuring that Goodwin Investment Advisory is nationally recognized, ranked among USA Today’s Best Financial Advisory Firms of 2025, placing them in the top 1.5% of over 30,000 RIA firms.

Hugh Gilliam

client

We would highly recommend Justin Pitcock

We met with Justin Pitcock to review our investment portfolio. He was very professional and helpful. We had quite a few questions and he answered all of them. He goes above and beyond what we were receiving from Raymond James. We would highly recommend him.

Keena Burt

client

My wife and I really enjoyed our coaching session with Ray and Coby!

My wife and I really enjoyed our coaching session with Ray and Coby! They have teacher’s hearts and helped give us some clear direction and goals to work toward with our money rather than just building wealth for the sake of it. They also provided some helpful perspective on our asset allocation. We walked out of our session with a greater sense of peace and direction than we had coming in. In all of this, their heart to help us glorify God with our money shone through. They also provided additional counsel over email after our session for no additional charge which was a blessing!

David Wright

client

Ray has been phenomenal to work with.

Ray has been phenomenal to work with. He is very knowledgeable and personable. I have met with him twice now for retirement planning. He makes our meetings personalized to me and my specific goals/situation. He also sends me a follow-up email recapping what we discussed during our meetings. He is nonjudgmental and caring. I plan to continue working with him in the future.

Amanda Knowles

client

Our Goodwin Advisors Joe and Coby have been Amazing!

Our Goodwin Advisors Joe and Coby have been Amazing! They ask all the right questions and listen to our concerns. Their advice has helped us get a clear picture of our future. They are both very personable and respectful. Would highly recommend them to anyone. 😊

Kristin Shaw

client

Goodwin Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. GIA did not provide any cash or non-cash compensation in return for these reviews, testimonials, and endorsements by existing clients and other individuals. We are also unaware of any material conflicts of interest on the part of the person(s) giving the testimonial or endorsement resulting from the person’s relationship with Goodwin Investment Advisory, which could result in an incentive to recommend the adviser. Some existing clients may be extended family members of employees or business partners; they have not been paid or otherwise compensated for the testimonial. Opinions and comments given by GIA clients or other individuals may not represent any other person’s experience with the firm.

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National recognition badge: USA TODAY names Goodwin Investment Advisory one of the Best Financial Advisory Firms of 2025, top 1.5% ranking nationally among RIA firms.
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Disclosure: Goodwin Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC registered Investment Adviser. The Google ratings, client satisfaction ratings and reference on The Ramsey Show were given by current clients, and were not compensated with cash, or non-cash compensation. There are no material conflicts of interest on the part of the person(s) giving the ratings and references resulting from the person’s relationship with Goodwin Investment Advisory, therefore has no incentive to recommend the adviser. Please click here for further information.

You might be wondering, “Is it really worth it to hire a CFP®?”

Let go of your worry and anxiety and allow us to support you and reduce your financial uncertainties. Making the decision to trust our team of advisors can bring you the confidence that you have been longing for – that your money is invested judiciously and will be available for you when need it. You will also be guided to set goals and have someone to help you strategically grow your wealth.

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Goodwin Investment Advisory cannot guarantee results, and past performance does not ensure future results. Our team is committed to provide service excellence, but market volatility and other external and human factors can result in an undesirable experience. Please contact your advisor if you have any questions or concerns.