Our Credentials
We work with who we believe to be the most competent, qualified and committed professionals in the financial services industry. By going the extra mile to earn specialized credentials, our team has the capability to fulfill our comprehensive planning process and stay true to our relentless personal commitment to serving our clients.
These 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.
This designation represents knowledge of a global fiduciary standard of excellence and application of those standards into our practice. AIF® designees are committed to using the knowledge and resources gained through their training to put uniform, industry-recognized processes in place for developing a personalized investment strategy based solely on your specific investment needs.
Striving for an optimal balance of risk and return, as well as portfolio diversification, a fiduciary must exercise care, skill, diligence, and objectivity in evaluating, recommending and reviewing investment options. As part of the standards required, a fiduciary must manage and report performance, recommend changes when necessary and conduct ongoing reviews of business practices to ensure fiduciary principles are being properly applied.
Additionally, part of the training includes evaluating the fiduciary practices of investment stewards such as 401(k) and defined benefit plan sponsors and those responsible for managing endowment and foundation assets, as well as continuing education training to keep up to date with changes in the industry and the ongoing evolution of legal requirements under the fiduciary standard.
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 the 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.
The CPFA demonstrates the advisor’s knowledge, expertise and commitment to working with retirement plans. Plan advisors who earn their CPFA demonstrate the expertise required to act as a plan fiduciary or help plan fiduciaries manage their responsibilities.
Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA®) is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA®,” and “Certified Investment Management Analyst®.” Use of CIMA® or Certified Investment Management Analyst® signifies that the user has successfully completed IMCA’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management consultants.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.