In this Q&A, FPA CEO Dennis Moore, CFP®, discusses the association's revamped 2026 conference strategy and expanded approach to talent development, career education and member support. As FPA's new leader, Moore emphasizes building programs around practice support, learning, advocacy and networking, with an added focus on evolving member services and partnerships to address the changing needs of the financial planning profession.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises could benefit from a new approach called financial business planning, which integrates financial planning with sustainable business consulting to help guide SMEs toward financial health and sustainability. The four authors of this study argue that financial business planning should be recognized as a separate profession, requiring multidisciplinary training and certification. Read the Journal article now.

Clear performance-based compensation plans are vital for firms to identify valued behaviors, reinforce firm priorities and reduce costly turnover, writes Cameron Logar, CRPC, CPTD, founder of Next Peak Advisors. Logar cites research that shows firms with transparent, measurable incentive plans enjoy faster revenue and client growth, and she offers practical strategies for setting performance indicators and structuring incentive plans to align employee behavior with firm goals. Read the Journal article now.

Strategic cash management is becoming increasingly important as interest rates decline and clients hold significant portions of their portfolios in cash, Nate Conrad and Lily Calcagnini of Stone Ridge Asset Management said during a recent webinar. They suggested advisers differentiate between transactional and strategic cash, using tools such as Treasury bond ladders to maximize yields and provide predictable cash flow, and noted that this approach can create measurable value for clients and enhance advisers' roles.

Retirement brings a significant shift from saving to spending, which can be unsettling for many, so having a strategic plan for clients to manage the transition is key. Understanding income streams -- whether from Social Security, pensions or other sources -- is a crucial part of forming an effective plan.

Many baby boomer business owners lack succession plans, posing risks to their families, employees and local economies. With nearly 80% of these owners lacking a written transition plan, financial advisers must take the initiative to guide clients through the process, ensuring business continuity and value preservation. "Advisers shouldn't wait for permission to bring up exit planning," write David Winslow and Clint Costa of Choreo. "Start the conversation, repeat it often and guide clients through the steps."

Many affluent investors are unprepared for the Great Wealth Transfer, presenting an opportunity for wealth managers, according to a Cogent Syndicated report. The report identifies four distinct investor segments based on emotional motivations. "Understanding these different motivational profiles gives advisers an edge when tailoring services or positioning products to a particular client, since each segment has unique emotional needs and motivations for investing," write Kristin Hall and Steve Ethridge of Cogent Syndicated.