A separate CFP Board survey conducted in September 2019 asked over 2,000 Americans whether they think a recession is imminent — pre-coronavirus outbreak, mind you — and how prepared they feel to handle it. Two-thirds of the respondents who work with a financial adviser— a catch-all term that generally includes financial planners and investment advisers — say they feel financially prepared for a recession, compared to just 38% of those who go it alone. What’s more, 78% of people who have a financial adviser reported feeling optimistic about their personal or household financial situation. Of those who work specifically with a certified financial planner, 85% felt optimistic.