The Client Experience

Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional℠ (“ABFP℠”)

The Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional℠, or ABFP℠ is currently offered and recognized by Kaplan Financial Education. Individuals who hold the ABFP℠ studied to enhance their client interactions, emotional competencies and financial planning advice through an understanding of phycological explanations for economic behavior. To obtain the designation, there are no prerequisites. 16 hours of continuing education is required, every two years.

Accredited Estate Planner (“AEP®”)

To be eligible to be considered for the AEP® designation, the applicant must provide documentation of being licensed to practice law as an Attorney (JD) or to practice as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or of being currently designated as a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), or Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA), in any jurisdiction of the United States of America and meet certain educational requirements.

The applicant must be presently and significantly engaged in “estate planning activities” as an attorney, an accountant, an insurance professional and financial planner, or a trust officer. A minimum of five (5) years of experience engaged in estate planning and estate planning activities is required. To be exempt from the required education requirements, an applicant must have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience engaged in estate planning and estate planning activities. AEP® applicants are required to be members of, and continuously maintain membership in, an affiliated local or regional estate planning council where such membership is available. Where no affiliated local council membership is available, the applicant is required to continuously maintain an At-Large individual membership in the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.

AEP® applicants must continuously be in good standing with the applicant’s respective professional organization and/or license authority (e.g., State Bar Association for attorneys, etc.) and provide three (3) professional references prior to acceptance. In addition, AEP® applicants must abide by the NAEPC Code of Ethics, acknowledge a commitment to the team concept of estate planning by signing a declaration statement and meet continuing education and re-certification requirements, which include the yearly payment of dues.

Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (“AWMA®”)

Individuals who hold the AWMA® designation have completed a course of study across eight modules to provide financial advice to high-net-worth clients, pass the final examination, and complete the designation application. Continued use of the designation is subject to ongoing renewal requirements. Every two years, individuals must renew their right to continue using the designation by:

Completing 16 hours of continuing education;

• Reaffirming to abide by the Standards of Professional Conduct, Terms and Conditions, and a self-disclose any criminal, civil, self-regulatory organization, or governmental agency inquiry, investigation, or proceeding relating to their professional or business conduct; and
• Paying a biennial renewal fee

AWMA® and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ are registered service marks of the College for Financial Planning.

Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™ (“APMA®”)

Individuals who hold the APMA® designation have completed a course of study encompassing client assessment and suitability, risk/return, investment objectives, bond and equity portfolios, modern portfolio theory and investor psychology. Students have hands-on practice in analyzing investment policy statements, building portfolios, and making asset allocation decisions including sell, hold, and buy decisions within a client’s portfolio. 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. All designees have agreed to adhere to Standards of Professional Conduct™ and are subject to a disciplinary process. Designees renew their designation every two years by completing 16 hours of continuing education, reaffirming adherence to the Standards of Professional Conduct™ and complying with self-disclosure requirements.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (“CFP®”)

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® and federally registered CFP® (with flame design) marks (collectively, the “CFP® marks”) are professional certification marks granted in the United States by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP® Board”).

The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold the CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients. Currently, more than 71,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification in the United States.

To attain the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must satisfactorily fulfill the following requirements:

• Education – Complete an advanced college-level course of study addressing the financial planning subject areas that CFP® Board’s studies have determined as necessary for the competent and professional delivery of financial planning services, and attain a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university (or its equivalent from a foreign university). CFP® Board’s financial planning subject areas include insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning;
• Examination – Pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination. The examination includes case studies and client scenarios designed to test one’s ability to correctly diagnose financial planning issues and apply one’s knowledge of financial planning to real world circumstances;
• Experience – Complete at least three years of full-time financial planning-related experience under the supervision of a CFP® professional (or the equivalent, measured as 2,000 hours per year); and
• Ethics – Agree to be bound by CFP® Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, a set of documents outlining the ethical and practice standards for CFP® professionals.

Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements in order to maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks:

• Continuing Education – Complete 30 hours of continuing education hours every two years, including two hours on the Code of Ethics and other parts of the Standards of Professional Conduct, to maintain competence and keep up with developments in the financial planning field; and
• Ethics – Renew an agreement to be bound by the Standards of Professional Conduct. The Standards prominently require that CFP® professionals provide financial planning services at a fiduciary standard of care. This means CFP® professionals must provide financial planning services in the best interests of their clients.

CFP® professionals who fail to comply with the above standards and requirements may be subject to CFP® Board’s enforcement process, which could result in suspension or permanent revocation of their CFP® certification.

Certified Exit Planning Advisor™ (“CEPA®”)

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor™ and CEPA® are professional certification marks granted by The Exit Planning Institute®. It is recognized as the designation that business owners look for when looking for a trusted advisor. CEPA® applicants must meet strict requirements, including: a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university (or the equivalent from a foreign university); completion of the 5-day CEPA® program taught by a faculty of experts; and passing the CEPA® exam consisting of 150 multiple choice questions. Applicants must also have 5 years of experience dealing with the owners of privately-held businesses in some advisory capacity. All applicants for the CEPA® program must sign an attestation agreeing to abide by the Code of Ethics and Professional Standards™ of the Exit Planning Institute.

CEPA® advisors must complete ongoing continuing professional education and ethics requirements to maintain their certification, with recertification every three years and completing 40 hours of continuing education. More information on the CEPA® designation can be found on the Exit Planning website: www.exit-planning-institute.org

Certified Investment Management Analyst℠(CIMA®)

The CIMA certification signifies that an individual has met initial and ongoing experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for investment management consulting, including advanced investment management theory and application. To earn CIMA certification, candidates must: submit an application, pass a background check and have an acceptable regulatory history; pass an online Qualification Examination; complete an in-person or online executive education program at an AACSB accredited university business school; pass an online Certification Examination; and have an acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements and have three years of financial services experience at the time of certification.

CIMA certificants must adhere to IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility, Standards of Practice, and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. CIMA designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA).

Certified Private Wealth Advisor™ (“CPWA®”)

The CPWA® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for the professional designation, which is centered on private wealth management topics and strategies for high-net-worth clients. Prerequisites for the CPWA® designation are: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA®, CIMC®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, or CPA® license; have an acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements and five years of professional client-centered experience in financial services or a related industry. CPWA® designees have completed a rigorous educational process that includes self-study requirements, an in-class education component, and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. CPWA® designees are required to adhere to IMCA’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules and Guidelines for the use of the Marks. CPWA® designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through the Investment Management Consultants Association™ (IMCA®).

Chartered Financial Analyst™ (“CFA®”)

The Chartered Financial Analyst™ (“CFA®”) charter is a professional designation established in 1962 and awarded by CFA® Institute. To earn the CFA® charter, candidates must pass three sequential, six-hour examinations over two to four years. The three levels of the CFA® Program test a wide range of investment topics, including ethical and professional standards, fixed-income analysis, alternative and derivative investments, and portfolio management and wealth planning. In addition, CFA® charter holders must have at least four years of acceptable professional experience in the investment decision-making process and must commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm their adherence to the CFA® Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA® Institute.

Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)

The Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) program prepares you to meet the advanced financial planning needs of individuals, professionals and small business owners. You'll gain a sustainable advantage in this competitive field with in-depth coverage of the key financial planning disciplines, including insurance, income taxation, retirement planning, investments and estate planning. The ChFC® requires three years of full-time, relevant business experience, nine two-hour course specific proctored exams, and 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Holders of the ChFC® designation must adhere to The American College’s Code of Ethics.

Program Objectives:

• Function as an ethical, competent and articulate practitioner in the field of financial planning
• Utilize the intellectual tools and framework needed to maintain relevant and current financial planning knowledge and strategies.
• Apply financial planning theory and techniques through the development of case studies and solutions.
• Apply in-depth knowledge in a holistic manner from a variety of disciplines; namely, estate planning, retirement planning or non-qualified deferred compensation.

Chartered Market Technician™ (“CMT®”)

The Chartered Market Technician™(CMT®) Program requires candidates to demonstrate proficiency in a broad range of topics in the field of Technical Analysis. The Program consists of three levels. The CMT® Level I and CMT® Level II exams are multiple-choice while the CMT® Level III exam is in short answer and essay form. Those candidates who complete all three levels of the CMT® examination and agree to abide by the Market Technicians Association Code of Ethics are granted the right to use the CMT® credential.

Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (“FPQP®”)

Individuals who hold the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ or FPQP® designation have completed a course of study encompassing the financial planning process, the five disciplines of financial planning and general financial planning concepts, terminology and product categories. 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. All designees have agreed to adhere to Standards of Professional Conduct and are subject to a disciplinary process. Designees renew their designation every two-years by completing 16 hours of continuing education, reaffirming adherence to the Standards of Professional Conduct and complying with self-disclosure requirements.

NRS Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional® (IACCP®)

The NRS Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional® (IACCP®) designation is awarded to knowledgeable, experienced individuals who complete an instructor-led program of in-person and/or online study, pass a certifying examination, and meet its work experience, ethics and continuing education requirements. The designation signifies intermediate-level knowledge of investment adviser regulation and compliance best practices, and adherence to nationally recognized professional standards and ethical leadership.

Exhaustive certification and course development, together with expert instructors and facilitators from the compliance, legal, regulatory, financial industry, and academic sectors, help ensure that individuals earning the IACCP designation have been trained, tested and certified to meet high industry professional standards.