A study examined the job functions of certified financial planners, the areas of knowledge needed by new financial planners, the links between these knowledge areas and the job functions of financial planners, and the validity of the examinations currently used by the College of Financial Planning to certify financial planners. A multimethod approach, consisting of a literature search, interviews with certified financial planners, and input from advisory committees, was used to develop the survey instrument. A random sample of 1,815 financial planners was asked to rate the importance of 51 job tasks (reduced to an 11-factor job structure related to marketing financial planning services, interviewing clients, explaining financial planning issues and concepts, analyzing client circumstances, developing comprehensive financial plans, implementing and monitoring financial products, monitoring financial plans, complying with requirements, managing a planning practice, and consulting with other professionals) and 99 knowledge areas listed under six headings: risk management and general, investment, tax, retirement, and estate planning. Of the 1,815 surveys mailed out, 621 were completed and returned; 566 (91 percent) of the returned survey forms were used. With the exception of marketing and managing a financial planning practice, all of the job task components were considered crucial to the job performance of a certified financial planner. Ninety-eight of the 99 knowledge areas were also rated as crucial. (References, the survey instruments and statistical breakdowns of the data collected are appended.) (MN)