Stephen Barkhuff has been named the Financial Planning Association’s Diversity Scholarship recipient for its Retreat 2014.

The scholarship is awarded to financial services professionals who demonstrate and act upon an intense desire to promote diversity in the financial planning profession and the clients served.

Barkhuff, who works at Compass Working Capital, a non-profit financial services organization based in Boston, is committed to serving lower-income clients who normally could not access financial planning services due to their income and assets levels.

At Compass Working Capital, he provides financial coaching and savings programs that empower working, low-income families to build assets, achieve their financial goals and become financially secure. Many of his clients are working single mothers who earn less than 50 percent of the median income for that area, according to the announcement. 

In addition to complimentary conference registration and travel expenses to attend the FPA Retreat 2014 being held in Miami this May, Barkhuff has been awarded a free one-year FPA membership and paid chapter meeting expenses.

“FPA is proud to recognize financial planners who serve Americans with diverse needs and promote access to competent, ethical financial planning services,” said Lauren M. Schadle, CAE, FPA executive director and CEO. “Mr. Barkhuff’s work in providing financial planning services to diverse communities is to be commended.”