Trust & accountability
Finlitera Review & Author Standards
Financial education should make it easy to see who created a page, what sources support it, when it was checked, and whether a qualified professional reviewed it.
Four labels, four different meanings
- Written by: identifies the person responsible for the original text.
- Edited by: identifies a substantive editorial review for clarity, structure, and consistency.
- Sources reviewed: records when the supporting sources were checked for accuracy and currency.
- Expert reviewed: appears only when a real qualified professional has reviewed the material within their relevant scope.
No manufactured credentials
Finlitera will not imply that a page has been reviewed by a CFP®, CPA, attorney, insurance professional, tax professional, or other specialist unless that review actually occurred and the reviewer can be identified appropriately.
Higher-risk topics get a higher review bar
Content involving taxes, retirement accounts, investing, insurance, credit reporting, legal or estate concepts, and other high-impact financial decisions should receive stronger source verification and, where appropriate, qualified expert review before Finlitera displays an expert-review label.
Reviewer record required
When Finlitera labels a page Expert reviewed, the page must show the reviewer’s real name, relevant credential or professional role, review date, and the scope of what they checked. Until that review actually happens, higher-risk pages are labeled Expert review status: pending rather than implying professional approval.
A source check by the author or editor is not the same as independent expert review. Finlitera will not convert a “Sources reviewed” date into an “Expert reviewed” claim.
Source hierarchy
- U.S. government agencies and regulators
- Statutes, rules, official program documentation, and tax guidance where applicable
- Primary financial institutions or plan documents for product-specific facts
- Established academic or professional organizations
- High-quality secondary sources only when they add useful explanation
Correction and update standard
Material factual corrections should be made promptly. Pages should show an updated date when a meaningful change has been made, and source-review dates should be refreshed when claims depend on changing rules, limits, rates, or official guidance.