What Financial Planning Research Reveals About Your Clients

What can the latest research teach us about helping clients make better financial decisions?

In this episode Cary Sinnett talks with Dr. Megan McCoy, who leads the personal financial planning program at Kansas State University, about bringing academic research and real-world financial planning practice closer together. They explore what emerging research in client psychology, communication and financial behavior can teach planners about helping clients navigate difficult decisions, financial anxiety and major life transitions.

What you'll learn

How research can add another layer of insight to financial planning practice. What client psychology can teach us about financial decision-making and plan implementation. Why effective communication becomes especially important when clients experience major life events. How the client check, problem check and self check can help planners recognize when a client may need support beyond the planner's scope of competence. How emerging techniques such as motivational interviewing and financial anxiety assessments could influence the future of financial planning. Dr. McCoy also explores an important opportunity for the profession: making valuable academic research more accessible and actionable for practitioners so evidence-based insights can translate into better conversations and better client outcomes.

AICPA Resources:

Archive: 2026 Best Financial Planning Ideas for your Clients

Podcast: Andrea Millar, From Financial Expert to Trusted Guide

This episode is brought to you by the AICPA's Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program.

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