Professional Certifications help us serve you

Most people think that all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true. Anyone can call himself or herself a “financial planner.” Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP^® certification marks.

Individuals certified by CFP Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate their professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP^® certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience and ethical requirements. These standards are called “the four E’s,” and they are four important reasons why the financial planning practitioner you select should display the CFP^® certification marks.

When selecting a financial planner, you need to feel confident that the person you choose to help you plan for your future is competent and ethical. The CFP^® certification provides that sense of security by allowing only those who meet the following requirements the right to use the CFP^® certification marks.

CFP^® Certification Requirements: the four E’s.

Education: CFP^® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board. Other options for satisfying the education component include submitting a transcript review or previous financial planning-related coursework to CFP Board for review and credit, or showing the attainment of certain professional designations or academic degrees.

Examination: CFP^® practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, six-hour CFP^® Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.

Experience: CFP^® professionals must have three years’ minimum experience in the financial planning process prior to earning the right to use the CFP^® certification marks. As a result, CFP^® practitioners possess financial counseling skills in addition to financial planning knowledge.

Ethics: As a final step to certification, CFP^® practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct, known as CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients and employers. CFP Board also performs a background check during this process, and each individual must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings related to their professional or business conduct.

How does CFP Board’s Code of Ethics benefit me?

Through the Code of Ethics, CFP^® practitioners agree to act fairly and diligently when providing you with financial planning advice and services, putting your interests first. The Code of Ethics states that CFP^® practitioners are to act with integrity, offering you professional services that are objective and based on your needs. They are required to provide you with information about their sources of compensation and conflicts of interest in writing.

Ongoing certification requirements

Once certified, CFP^® practitioners are required to maintain technical competence and fulfill ethical obligations. Every two years, they must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education to stay current with developments in the financial planning profession and better serve clients. Two of these hours are spent studying or discussing CFP Board’s Code of Ethics or Practice Standards. In addition to the biennial continuing education requirement, all CFP^® practitioners voluntarily disclose any public, civil, criminal or disciplinary actions that may have been taken against them during the previous two years as part of the renewal process.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™, CFP^® (with plaque design) and CFP^® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

CIMA^® professionals have met extensive experience and ethical requirements, in addition to successfully completed advanced investment management consulting coursework through the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Applying state-of-the-art investment theory, CIMA^® professionals provide objective investment advice and guidance to individuals and institutions. They integrate a complex body of investment knowledge systematically and ethically to help clients make prudent investment decisions. Ongoing continuing education requirements must be met, and they must also adhere to IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards of Practice.

But what does this designation mean for you? It means that when you work with an investment consultant who has taken the time to become CIMA^® certified, you’re working with someone who understands the financial complexities and risks that come with being in the highest tax bracket, is well-versed in modern concepts of investment advice, and perhaps, most important, is educated enough to understand how your individual investments are being managed and how they work together – no matter how complex it may be.

Investments & Wealth Institute^™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA” and “Certified Investment Management Analyst.” Use of CIMA and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst signifies that the user has successfully completed The Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.

The Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® (CPWA^®) certification program is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers working with high-net-worth clients, focusing on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. Candidates who earn the certification understand how to develop specific strategies to minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth.  Areas of specialized knowledge include applied behavioral finance, family dynamics, risk management, estate planning and portfolio management.

Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CPWA” and “Certified Private Wealth Advisor.” Use of CPWA, and/or Certified Private Wealth Advisor signifies that the user has successfully completed The Institutes initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.

The Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM^®) designation is a collaboration of the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers and NYU Stern.

The Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers is an independent organization fashioned and charged with the task of creating and managing a credentialed program of excellence for training discretionary portfolio managers. The collaborative and continuous learning assists members to become better portfolio managers and enable the highest level of expertise in all facets in an ever-changing and dynamic global economy.