Whatever Brought you Here, You Don't Have to Sort it out Alone.
Financial counseling isn’t just for people experiencing a crisis. It is for anyone who wants a clearer picture of their money and someone in their corner. AFC professionals meet you where you are, without judgment.
How an AFC Helps, Step by Step
Step 1
Get Your Bearings
An AFC helps you name the immediate problem — a bill you can’t cover, a debt that’s grown too big, a decision you’re stuck on — and figure out the next right step.
Step 2
Develop a Plan
Together you’ll map a plan built around your actual goals and life, not a generic template — whether that’s paying down debt, saving for a home, or managing a major change.
Step 3
Build Lasting Stability
Financial counseling isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a foundation and a relationship with someone who keeps helping you make sound decisions long after the first crisis passes.
Look for the AFC Mark
The AFC credential means real training, supervised experience, and adherence to a strict code of ethics. Verify before you commit to a financial counseling plan.
Common Misconceptions about Who Should Work with an AFC
You might be putting off help because of something you heard that isn’t quite true. Let’s take a moment to set the record straight regarding the myths and realities of who could benefit from working with an Accredited Financial Counselor.
Myth:
Financial counseling is only for people who are struggling.
Reality:
You don't have to be in crisis to work with an AFC. People come to an AFC after a divorce, an inheritance, a new business, or while planning for retirement. Wherever you're starting from, there's a place for you here.
Myth:
I make too much money for this to be relevant to me.
Reality:
AFCs work with people at every income level, from young families building their first budget to high-net-worth individuals navigating a major transition. It's not about how much you have, it's about making confident decisions with it.
Myth:
My attorney, CPA, or financial advisor already has this covered.
Reality:
An AFC can work alongside the professional you're seeing, helping you process the decisions and changes on a personal level while the legal or technical details are handled elsewhere. Many people are referred to an AFC by the professional they're working with.
Get in a Better Money Mindset
Whether you are early in the process of seeking the guidance of an AFC, preparing for your initial meeting, or ready to execute your financial counseling plan, we invite you to bolster your personal finance education with the Money Mindset Blog — short, practical articles written by Accredited Financial Counselors on the situations people bring to counseling sessions.
You're in the Right Place. Find an AFC.
An AFC can help you tackle debt, grow your savings, manage student loans, or build a stronger foundation for whatever’s next. Search for an AFC accepting new clients and take the next step.