Serving you by investing in our guidance

The Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ program focuses on the particulars of investing and asset management, including risk, identifying opportunities and related financial planning concerns such as taxes and estate planning. A self-study program, recipients can earn the designation by completing the coursework, passing the examination and by meeting the program’s professional standards of ethics. The program is operated by the College for Financial Planning. To retain the designation, advisors must complete 16 hours of related continuing education credits every two years.

Those holding the Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® designation have completed training and examination on the fiduciary standard of care, including the principles of fiduciary duty, the standards of conduct for acting as a fiduciary and the process for carrying out a fiduciary responsibility. The designation is awarded by Fi360, which conducts the training and examination. To maintain the credential, holders must complete annual continuing education courses.

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation is one tailored to serving the personal finance goals of business owners before, during and after a business succession. Program applicants must have at least five years of full-time or equivalent experience working with business owners as a financial professional, must meet additional educational or experience requirements and complete the focused, five-day program and examination. The designation was created and is operated by the Exit Planning Institute.

Program participants learn about the distinct personal finance and risk management issues faced by business owners, and about how to create personal wealth from a successful business enterprise – an often-complex topic.

The Certified Financial Planner^® professional designation is considered by some as the premier training program for financial advisors providing comprehensive financial planning services. Looking at personal finances holistically, the program explores on topics as diverse as investing, retirement planning, insurance, long-term healthcare, taxes and intergenerational wealth transfer.

To earn the designation, applicants must complete the “Four E’s” – education, exam, experience and ethics. Briefly, to earn the designation applicants must complete an accredited training program, hold a bachelor’s degree, have more than 6,000 hours of professional experience (or 4,000 hours as an apprentice), pass a comprehensive exam on sight distinct knowledge domains, and meet rigorous ethical requirements. Designation holders must complete continuing education requirements to keep using the credential. Topics covered by the program include professional conduct and regulation, the principles of financial planning, tax planning, estate planning, investments and risk management. The program is maintained by the CFP Board, which operates its own certification program and accredits partner programs.

Significant wealth yields both opportunity and complexity, a topic explored by the Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® program. Intended for experienced advisors, the program looks at high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth from a holistic financial planning perspective, with particular focuses on tax management, generational wealth transfer, estate planning and family governance. In addition to coursework, applicants must pass an exam and meet ethical requirements. Additionally, to continue holding out the designation, designees must complete 40 hours of relevant continuing education every two years.

The Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation is earned by combination of experience, education, professional training and examination covering the role and responsibilities of a competent trust advisor. Topics include fiduciary principles, financial and tax planning, asset management, trust account administration, risk management, ethics and relationship management. To maintain the designation, professionals must complete 45 hours of relevant continuing education credits ever three years and retain eligibility. The Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor program is operated by the American Bankers Association.

Those seeking to serve high-net-worth clients may pursue the Certified Wealth Strategist^® designation, a training program focused on comprehensive wealth planning for the often more-complex financial needs and family dynamics of highly affluent people. Primarily focused on technical planning issues, applicants are also examined on their ability to lead conversations and navigate family dynamics complicated by significant wealth. Applicants must meet experience and education requirements, complete the program’s study program and pass an examination. To maintain the designation, advisors must complete 30 hours of relevant continuing education credits. The Certified Wealth Strategist^® program is operated by Cannon Financial.

For many advisors, earning the Wealth Management Specialist™ designation is a first investment in their post-graduate career training. The program covers critical concepts of financial planning and wealth management while working toward the more-comprehensive Certified Financial Planner^® professional program. Topics of study include the wealth management process, a variety of investment and financial services topics, retirement planning, risk management, estate planning, insurance and banking products. To maintain the designation, designees must complete 16 hours of continuing education credits every two years. The designation is issued by the College for Financial Planning.