Financial Education & Financial Coaching: Similarities, Differences, and How these Two Distinct Offerings Work Together

Both educators and coaches share a common goal – empowering the people they serve with the information they need to work toward greater financial wellness. The main difference between the two centers around level of personal attention.

As ‘financial coaches,’ we provide personalized support, guidance, and instruction. Coaches commonly work with individuals and couples to address their personal situations and help them work toward their goals.

On the other hand, as ‘financial educators,’ we provide education that meets the needs of a group. Educators focus on using multiple teaching strategies to connect with different learners and giving broad examples to ensure that all participants benefit from the instruction.

Coaching and Educator Process Review

Financial Educators – Teach Groups of People

  • Can Serve All Ages – Kids, Teens, Adults
  • General Understanding of a Group’s Financial Situation
  • Broad Understanding of a Group’s Financial Goals
  • Align Course to Meet General Needs of Group
  • Track Indicators of Outcomes through Tests & Surveys
  • Encourage Learners to Build Systems and Processes
  • Provide Education in Group Settings
  • Provide Ongoing Education through Group Methods (emails, social groups, etc.)

Financial Coaches – Personalized Support

  • Can Serve Those Making Financial Decisions (typically adults)
  • Deep Understanding of Clients’ Current Financial Situations
  • Specific Understanding of Clients’ Goals and Future Needs
  • Diagnose Areas to Best Help Clients Meet Their Specific Goals
  • Track Actuation Outcomes (ex. debt, savings) via Coaching Software
  • Support and Review Clients’ Setup of Systems & Processes
  • Provide Personalized Education and Guidance
  • Offer Ongoing Personalized Support, Accountability, & Education

Financial Coaching Services

Individual Coaching

Understanding an individual’s situation to provide personalized financial guidance.

Partner Coaching

Provide personalized financial guidance to couples based on their relationship dynamic.

Intimate Group Coaching

Work with small groups that trust and support each other.

Organization Coaching

Organizations that pay for their group to receive individual coaching.

Accountability Programs

Jointly establishing benchmarks and holding clients accountable.

Personalized Financial Education

Understanding an individual’s situation to deliver customized education.

Financial Education versus Financial Coaching Education Opportunities

Types of Financial Education Services

Host Financial Education Programming

Lead virtual or in-person classes for your clients or the general public.

Lead Organization Financial Education Courses

Working with third-party organizations, teach their employees or the people they serve.

One-on-one Financial Education

Education that prepares young adults to take responsibility for managing their own finances.

Online Financial Education Programming

For clients who prefer to learn on their own, offer online education.

Speaking & Keynote Opportunities

Advocacy-based presentations that promote financial education.

Coaching & Education: Working Together

If you provide both financial education and financial coaching, you become able to serve people in the ways with which they’re most comfortable. Thus you can position yourself as an overall financial wellness provider with multiple offerings. Examples:

Coaching  Education

You have personal coaching service clients who share with their friends news about financial education events you conduct; or introduce you to organizations that hire you to conduct larger group events.

Education  Coaching

While you present a financial education event for a larger group, you also promote your coaching practice and build personal coaching leads. Thus you can turn coaching marketing into upfront revenue for the financial education program, with the opportunity to build your coaching practice.

Which Path is Best for You? We Have Both Options

Select your option to be taken to the program that best meets your needs.

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