If you’re thinking about partnering with a financial advisor, there’s a lot to consider. Are they a fiduciary (legally obligated to always act in your best interests)? What types of services do they offer? How are they paid? And what kinds of qualifications do they have?
This last question can get confusing, because there are A LOT of different financial certifications, each one with its own unique nuances. The sheer number of qualifications makes it easy to get lost in the “acreage of acronyms” or the “sea of Cs.” To help demystify what these credentials mean, we've explained some of the most common designations and certifications below.
Financial Certifications and What They Mean
Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS)
These professionals are uniquely qualified to identify opportunities in investments—as well as insurance, tax, retirement, and estate planning—and make recommendations based on all aspects of a client's total financial picture. Requirements include passing a final exam and signing a code of ethics commitment and declaration.
Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA®)
Individuals who hold the ADPA® designation have completed a course of study encompassing wealth transfers, federal taxation, retirement planning, and planning for financial and medical end-of-life needs for domestic partners. 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.
Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®)
This designation is a graduate level specialization in estate planning, obtained in addition to already recognized professional credentials within the various disciplines of estate planning. It is awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) to estate planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional reputation, and character.
Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®)
This designation is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of fiduciary practices. AIF® designees must complete training and annual continuing professional education requirements and attest to a code of ethics.
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA®)
Individuals who hold the AWMA® designation have completed a course of study encompassing wealth strategies, equity-based compensation plans, tax reduction alternatives, and asset protection alternatives. 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 Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®)
Advisors holding the CAP® designation have completed courses covering strategies for philanthropic giving. This coursework covers strategies for understanding and executing the philanthropic goals of clients, applying tax strategies to charitable giving, and incorporating philanthropy into estate, trust, and retirement planning.
Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL)
The CASL is for individuals who help clients work towards financial security through wealth management, wealth preservation and wealth transfer planning. The designation is recognized by the American College of Financial Services but is no longer offered to new students.
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS)
CEBS is the oldest and most respected professional designation in the employee benefits and compensation field. Requirements include completion of eight courses.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
This designation signifies a professional with an extensive economic and investing background and the ability to perform high-level analyses. CFAs often apply their rigorous training to roles as security analysts, portfolio managers, or investment advisors. Requirements include passing tests in economics, accounting, security analysis, and money management, administered by the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of the Association for Investment Management and Research; acquiring at least three years of investment-related experience; and meeting certain standards of professional conduct. The CFA is one of the most difficult designations to achieve, with three rigorous exams that require hundreds of hours of study.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
To become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, an advisor must complete an advanced college-level course of study addressing the financial planning subject area designated by the CFP® Board; pass the comprehensive CFP® certification examination; complete at least three years of full-time financial planning related experience; and agree to be bound by the CFP® Board's Standards of Professional Conduct. To maintain certification, individuals must also complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including two hours on the Code of Ethics. The CFP designation is common among financial advisors.
Certified Fund Specialist™ (CFS™)
The CFS™ designation is awarded by the Institute of Business & Finance to financial professionals for their expanded knowledge of mutual funds and the mutual fund industry. The Certified Fund Specialist exam is one of the oldest certification designations in the mutual fund industry. To qualify, individuals must also have a bachelor’s degree or 2,000 hours of experience.
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
The ChFC financial planning designation for the insurance industry is awarded by the American College to financial planners and others in the financial services industry with in-depth knowledge of the skills needed to perform comprehensive financial planning for their clients. ChFC designees must meet experience requirements; pass exams on tax, insurance, finance, and investing; and have at least three years of experience in the financial industry.
Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC®)
This designation is held by those who have acquired the skills needed to assist clients with planning for their longevity and how it will affect their family in the future as well as the decisions that will need to be made.
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
The CLU designation is granted by the American College to individuals who have completed advanced courses and exams in several topics, including insurance, investments, taxation, employee benefits, estate planning, accounting, management, and economics.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
This designation is a license awarded to individuals in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional education and experience requirements. CPAs are not only required to pass a professional exam, but they must also meet continuing professional education (CPE) requirements on an annual basis to maintain their license. CPAs are certified to provide a broad range of financial advisory services for their clients including tax compliance and advisory, as well as estate and financial planning.
Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC)
The CRC designation is awarded to retirement professionals who complete a comprehensive program consisting of retirement planning, design, management and operations, investment management, compliance, and ethics. CRC candidates must also pass four examinations, have a minimum of two years' professional experience, and provide two professional references.
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®)
This designation is awarded by the College for Financial Planning and given to those individuals who complete a study program and pass an exam specifically on retirement planning. The focus of the CRPC is client-centered problem-solving, both before and after retirement.
Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠ (CRPS®)
This is someone who creates, implements and maintains retirement plans for businesses. The designation mainly focuses on wholesale and business clients and is awarded by the College for Financial Planning. Applicants must pass a written exam in order to qualify.
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA®)
Earning the Certified Senior Advisor designation requires that individuals pass an exam and uphold high ethical standards in the area of health and welfare of seniors. This is the leading certification for those specializing in serving older adults.
Enrolled Actuary (EA)
As part of the 1974 Employees Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Enrolled Actuary designation was created to certify that the funding of employer-sponsored retirement plans is adequate to protect the benefits of participating employees. An EA is licensed by the Joint Board of the Department of Treasury and the Department of Labor to perform a variety of actuarial tasks that are required for pension plans. In order to become licensed, an actuary must pass a series of rigorous exams, complete several years of responsible experience in the pension actuarial field, and be recommended for the designation by other enrolled actuaries in good standing.
Juris Doctor (JD)
While not a certification in the same way as the others mentioned, this degree is granted by law schools to those who complete a three-year course of study of the law. The doctor designation is reflective of the fact that this type and length of postgraduate academic work is the equivalent of a doctoral degree.
Master Planner Advanced Studies℠ (MPAS®)
Individuals who hold this designation have earned a Master of Science degree with a major in personal financial planning. The program covers personal financial planning and investment-related content. To earn the degree, individuals must complete all coursework and graduation requirements.
Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS)
This is an accredited degree program that equips students with the skills necessary to analyze, plan, and implement financial strategies.
Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)
The Personal Financial Specialist credential is available exclusively to CPAs who are specialists in the area of wealth management. The designation is supported by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants who only awards it to those with significant personal financial planning education and experience. Areas of study include estate planning, retirement planning, investing and insurance.
Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA)*
The QKA credential is awarded by the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) to retirement plan professionals who primarily work with 401(k) plans. QKA designees may have experience and training in a variety of financial disciplines, must have a minimum of two years’ experience in retirement plan-related matters and must complete an examination series.
Registered Health Underwriter (RHU)
The RHU designation signifies that an individual working in the traditional health insurance marketplace or in the managed care industry has successfully completed a rigorous three-course program and is qualified to advise clients on their health insurance needs. RHU designees must also meet specified experience requirements, maintain ethical standards, and agree to comply with both The American College's Code of Ethics and Procedures and applicable continuing education requirements.
Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP)
This professional designation is for experienced financial professionals who wish to become experts in retirement income planning. A Retirement Income Certified Professional helps retirees and near-retirees develop a plan for managing and using the assets they have accumulated for retirement in order to live within a realistic budget and not run out of money prematurely.
Which Financial Certification Is Right for Me?
The advisors at Wealth Enhancement hold many of these certifications and have countless years of experience helping individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and more with their financial planning needs. Whatever your unique situation, the advisors at Wealth Enhancement are ready to help you achieve your goals. Schedule a meeting today to find out how we can help.
*The QKA designation is not approved in the state of Oregon
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S.
