Designation and Certification Descriptions

Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS): is a professional designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning (CFP) to financial professionals who successfully complete a self-study program, pass an exam, and agree to comply with a code of ethics.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply the fiduciary practices. Through fi360′s AIF® Training programs, AIF® designees learn the Practices and the legal and best practice framework they are built upon. AIF® designees have a reputation in the industry for the ability to implement a prudent process into their own investment practices as well as being able to assist others in implementing proper policies and procedures.

Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation is a professional designation offered by the CAIA Association. CAIA designation is the globally-recognized credential for professionals managing, analyzing, distributing or regulating alternative investments. Candidates must complete a course of study and pass two examinations. CAIA designees are required to maintain membership in the CAIA Association and adhere to professional and ethical standards.

Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation is awarded to professionals who address unique financial issues of divorce with data to help achieve equitable settlements. To obtain the designation, candidates must complete the course of study and successfully pass the examinations. The position requires 15 hours of divorce-related continuing education every two years.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) is a professional designation given by the CFA Institute that measures the competence and integrity of financial analysts. The CFA Program is a graduate-level self-study program that combines a broad-based curriculum of investment principles with professional conduct requirements. Candidates are required to pass three levels of examinations covering areas such as accounting, economics, ethics, money management and security analysis. Before a candidate is eligible to become a CFA charter holder, he/she must meet minimum experience requirements in the area of investment/financial practice. To enroll in the program, a candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree.

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) certification signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for investment management consulting, including advanced investment management theory and application. Prerequisites for the CIMA® certification are three years of financial services experience and an acceptable regulatory history. To obtain the CIMA® certification, candidates must pass an online Qualification Examination, successfully complete a one-week classroom education program provided by a Registered Education Provider at an AACSB accredited university business school and pass an online Certification Examination. CIMA® designees are required to adhere to IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility, Standards of Practice, and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. CIMA® designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA®).

Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA): Federal law regulates standards of conduct for those who manage qualified retirement plans. Plan advisers who sell and service these plans must act in accordance with these basic fiduciary principles. The CPFA credential demonstrates an adviser’s knowledge of, expertise in, and commitment to working with retirement plans. Plan advisers who earn their CPFA demonstrate the expertise required to act as a plan fiduciary or help plan fiduciaries manage their roles and responsibilities. The following requirements apply to the attainment and retention of CPFA: (1) Education – the CPFA Coursework covers four key areas: (a) ERISA Fiduciary Roles and Responsibilities, (b) ERISA Fiduciary Oversight, (c) ERISA Plan Investment Management, and (d) ERISA Plan Management; (2) Examination – the CPFA exam includes 75 multiple choice questions for which a candidate will have 3 hours to complete; and (3) Continuing Education – the candidate must earn 20 CE credits every two-year cycle, with two of the 20 CE credits covering ethics and professionalism.

Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for the professional designation, which is centered on private wealth management topics and strategies for high-net-worth clients. Prerequisites for the CPWA® designation are: a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA®, CIMC®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, or CPA license; have an acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements and five years of experience in financial services or delivering services to high-net-worth clients. CPWA® designees have completed a rigorous educational process that includes self-study requirements, an in-class education component, and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. CPWA® designees are required to adhere to IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. CPWA® designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through Investments & Wealth Institute.

Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®  (CRPC) is a professional financial planning designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning.  Individuals who hold the CRPC® designation have completed a course of study encompassing pre-and post-retirement needs, asset management, estate planning and the entire retirement planning process using models and techniques from real client situations. Additionally, individuals must pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations.

Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS) is a professional designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning to financial professionals who successfully complete a self-study program, pass an exam and agree to comply with a code of ethics. The CRPS program covers the types and characteristics of retirement plans, including IRAs, small business retirement plans, defined contribution plans, nonprofit plans, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, and government plans. It also covers plan distributions, plan design and implementation, plan establishment and operation, and fiduciary issues. Every two years, CRPS professionals must complete 16 hours of continuing education and pay a fee to continue using the designation.

Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) is a specialized designation for special needs financial planning and disability planning offered by The American College of Financial Services. The ChSNC® gives financial professionals interested in special needs planning the expertise to advocate for and partner with individuals with special needs or disabilities, their families, and caregivers through strategies including special needs trusts, disability planning, life insurance, and estate planning. The ChSNC® is a powerful educational option for financial professionals, as there is no comparable designation focusing specifically on special needs planning or disability planning in the industry.To become a successful special needs planning partner through the ChSNC®, you must complete the three-course program, including all associated classwork and a final exam for each course.

Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation is awarded by the ABA Institute of Certified Bankers who demonstrate their knowledge as a trust and financial advisor. Candidates must meet one of the three following requirements to be eligible: three years of wealth management experience plus ICB-approved training, five years of personal trust experience and a bachelor’s degree or 10 years of personal trust experience. Candidates are required to successfully complete a final certification examination. Candidates must complete 45 credits every three years (with a minimum of six hours in each of four knowledge areas) of continuing education.