PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Craig Smith, an independent LPL Financial advisor at von Borstel & Associates, has become a CFA® charterholder and is now one of only five financial advisors with the esteemed designation working with clients in Oregon.

While there are over 135,000 professionals worldwide who hold the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, less than 2% are financial advisors in the United States. Over 50% of CFA® charterholders work in-house at larger financial institutions as portfolio managers, chief-level executives, and analysts. To become a CFA® charterholder one must pass three exam levels, which requires an average of 1,000 hours of studying and takes most three to four years to complete.

"Advice without knowledge is worthless," said Wayne von Borstel, CFP®, MSFS, ChFC®, CLU®, Founder and President of von Borstel & Associates. "If you want to receive sound advice, backed by facts, it's important to hire someone who has put the time in to acquire the knowledge. We are proud of Craig's accomplishment in becoming a CFA® charterholder and the value his insight brings to our practice and our clients."

Smith serves as a Wealth Advisor at von Borstel & Associates, Inc. an independent, full-service financial planning firm serving clients throughout the country from office locations in Portland and The Dalles, Oregon.

About Craig R. Smith, CFP®, CFA®, ChFC®, CLU®

Craig Smith joined von Borstel and Associates in 2009 after spending two years with a Fortune 100 financial services firm where he provided insurance and investment advice. Prior to entering the financial services industry, Smith practiced as a Professional Engineer in the State of Oregon and now enjoys the challenge of creating "Engineered Financial Strategies" tailored for each of his clients to identify a clear path towards their personal and financial goals.

Smith holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Portland in addition to the distinguished professional designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ / CFP® Practitioner, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®). Craig regularly teaches financial planning and social security seminars.

A native Oregonian, Smith was born and raised in The Dalles and now lives in Portland with his wife and two daughters. To learn more about Craig Smith, visit www.vonborstel.com.

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial is a leader in the retail financial advice market and the nation's largest independent broker/dealer*. We serve independent financial advisors and financial institutions, providing them with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow thriving practices. LPL enables them to provide objective guidance to millions of American families seeking wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and asset management solutions.

LPL.com / NASDAQ: LPLA

*Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine June 1996-2018

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice and financial planning offered through Financial Advocates Investment Management, DBA von Borstel & Associates, a registered investment advisor. Financial Advocates Investment Management, von Borstel & Associates and LPL Financial are separate entities. von Borstel & Associates can provide advisory services to entities and individuals residing in any state.

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SOURCE von Borstel & Associates; LPL Financial