A commitment to professionalism

A CPFA^® is a financial professional who demonstrates expertise and experience working with retirement plans, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s and other defined contribution plans. The designation is issued by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). Advisors who earn their CPFA^® demonstrate the expertise required to act as a plan fiduciary or help plan fiduciaries manage their roles and responsibilities. They spend time during their certification learning about fiduciary duty for retirement plans, and they can be a valuable resource to clients, recommending the appropriate solutions and resources for addressing retirement questions.

An Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® has expertise in investment fiduciary standards of care. They have extensive knowledge in key areas such as plan distributions, plan design and implementation, plan establishment and operation, and fiduciary issues.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® designees can demonstrate that they have met educational, competence, conduct and ethical standards to serve the best interests of their clients and carry out a fiduciary standard of care throughout the financial planning engagement.

RIAC is a dedicated group of financial advisors who establish and uphold a fiduciary standard of care for serving both retirement plans and plan sponsors, as well as foundations, endowments and other nonprofit institutions. RIAC advisors consult nationwide and make retirement plans and other nonprofit clients their primary focus, which accounts for less than 1% of all Raymond James advisors. RIAC adheres to fiduciary best practices as outlined under ERISA for the qualified plan industry and UPMIFA for the institutional sector in order to help fiduciaries meet their obligations to their participants and organizations.

Raymond James’ Retirement Plan & Institutional Advisory Council membership is based on assets under management, number of qualified group retirement plans, designations obtained, and compliance record. Membership is not an endorsement, is not representative of any one client’s experience, and is not indicative of future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this membership. Requalification is not required.

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor^® (CEPA^®) is a unique credential that allows professional advisors to deeply engage with more business owners and help them plan in every aspect of their personal finances. Whether you are looking to sell or transition out of the business when retirement rolls around, a CEPA^® can help you plan for a successful transition.

Having an advisor on your team that possesses the CEPA^® designation can help you grow your business, align your financial goals and create a solid personal financial plan that can help you retire with confidence that your financial bases are covered. A CEPA^® will help you decide when it’s the best time to sell your business and how to minimize your taxes from the sale.

Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

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 helps provides that sense of security by allowing only those who meet the requirements the right to use the CFP^® certification marks.

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.

A Chartered Financial Analyst^® is one of the world’s most respected and recognized investment designations. Successful candidates take an average of four years to earn their CFA^® charter. He or she has the skills needed for high-level, specialized asset-management responsibilities, including security analysis, portfolio management and business reporting.

Members of the CFA Institute, including charterholders and candidates for the CFA^® designation, must act with integrity, competence, diligence, respect, and in an ethical manner with the public, clients, prospective clients, employers, employees, colleagues in the investment profession, and other participants in the global capital markets.

CFA^® and Chartered Financial Analyst^® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

CIMA^® professionals have met extensive experience and ethical requirements, in addition to successfully completed advanced investment management consulting coursework through the Wharton School, the 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 the Investments & Wealth Institute™ Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards of Practice.

Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA^®” and “Certified Investment Management Analyst^SM.” 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 Wealth Management Specialist™ certificate is awarded by the College for Financial Planning to individuals who have completed a series of courses on topics including investment strategies, retirement planning, estate planning, the asset allocation process and investment taxation and signed a code of ethics declaration.

Earning the designation of Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ requires the completion of an intensive course covering the financial planning process, the five disciplines of financial planning and general financial planning concepts, terminology and product categories. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam demonstrating their ability to assimilate intricate concepts and to apply abstract theories to real-life scenarios.