You might consider joining one of the large companies and working there for awhile. It will give you a steady stream of clients and a chance to build up contacts in the industry. Financial planners have saved many a marriage and many a family from financial ruin with their advice.

My husband and I took a gamble and used American Express' financial planning services. The counselor was just amazing! We had bailed my husband's mother out of bankruptcy (and helped with some medical expenses) and had helped his sister out of financial difficulties -- and then we had a house fire (and were underinsured). We suddenly found ourselves nearly $350,000 in debt -- and then the IRS came after us. We were at our wits' end.

This guy sat down with us, showed us some strategies, helped us adjust our income, showed us what to quit wasting money on and what to pay off first -- and three years later we've managed to whittle it down to a manageable $50,000 in debt and we've built up good cash reserves.

He was worth every penny we paid him!

Financial planners can do amazing things -- and grateful clients usually come back as things improve! Let a firm (like American Express or whomever) do your scouting for you in the first few years or so, until you build up a good client base (and get additional certifications on THEIR nickel.) Then step out on your own.

At least, that's my recommendation. Your mileage may vary, eh?