Understanding Designations

ACCREDITED ESTATE PLANNER (AEP)

The AEP designation certifies that the recipient is committed to the team concept of estate planning. To receive the AEP designation, individuals must:

complete a training program of two graduate level courses administered by The American College or from another accredited graduate program unless applicant has 15 or more years’ experience as an estate planner;
successfully pass a comprehensive, closed-book final examination under the supervision of a proctor;
be an attorney, accountant, insurance professional and financial planner or trust officer;
be in good standing with their professional organization and not subject to disciplinary investigation;
have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in estate planning in one or more of the prerequisite professions;
devote at least 1/3 of their time to estate planning;
provide three professional references; and
have a current membership in an affiliated local estate planning council.

In order to maintain the AEP designation, the individual must complete 30 hours every 24 month, including 15 hours in estate planning. The certification is administered by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

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 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 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 62,000 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, administered in 10 hours over a two-day period, 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 (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.

CHARTERED FINANCIAL ANALYST (CFA)

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is a globally respected, graduate-level investment credential established in 1962 and awarded by the CFA Institute, the largest global association of investment professionals.

To earn the CFA designation, candidates must (1) pass three sequential, six-hour examinations, (2) have at least four years of qualified professional investment experience, (3) join the CFA Institute as members, and (4) commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm, their adherence to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

High Ethical Standards - The CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, enforced through an active professional conduct program, requires CFA charterholders to:

Place their clients' interests ahead of their own
Maintain independence and objectivity
Act with integrity
Maintain and improve their professional competence
Disclose conflicts of interest and legal matters

Global Recognition - Passing the three CFA exams is a difficult feat that requires extensive study (successful candidates report spending an average of 300 hours of study at each level). Earning the CFA charter demonstrates mastery of many of the advanced skills needed for investment analysis and decision-making in today's quickly evolving global financial industry. As a result, employers and clients are increasingly seeking CFA charterholders, often making the charter a prerequisite for employment.

Additionally, regulatory bodies in 19 countries recognize the CFA charter as a proxy for meeting certain licensing requirements. More than 125 colleges and universities around the world have incorporated a majority of the CFA Program curriculum into their own finance courses.

Comprehensive and Current Knowledge - The CFA Program curriculum provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge for investment decision making and is firmly grounded in the knowledge and skills used every day in the investment profession. The three levels of the CFA Program test proficiency in a wide range of fundamental and advanced investment topics, including ethical and professional standards, fixed-income and equity analysis, alternative and derivative investments, economics, financial reporting standards, portfolio management, and wealth planning.

The CFA Program curriculum is updated every year by experts from around the world to ensure that candidates learn the most relevant and practical new tools, ideas, and investment management skills to reflect the dynamic and complex nature of the profession.

CHFC® (CHARTERED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT®)

The ChFC® designation has been a mark of excellence for almost thirty years and currently requires nine college-level courses, the most of any financial planning credential. Average study time to earn the ChFC® exceeds 450 hours. Required courses cover extensive education and application training in financial planning, income taxation, investments, and estate and retirement planning. Additional electives are chosen from such topics as macroeconomics, financial decisions for retirement, and executive compensation. ChFC® designees must meet experience requirements and adhere to continuing education and ethical standards. The credential is awarded by The American College, a non-profit educator founded in 1927 and the highest level of academic accreditation.

CLU® (CHARTERED LIFE UNDERWRITER®)

Since 1927, the CLU® has been the respected risk management credential for advisors. Designees have completed eight or more college-level courses representing an average study time of 400 hours. Topics for required courses include insurance and financial planning, life insurance law, estate planning, and planning for business owners and professionals. Elective courses include such advanced topics as income taxes, group benefits, retirement planning, and health insurance. CLU® designees must meet experience and continuing education requirements and must adhere to a high ethical standard. The mark is awarded by The American College, a non-profit educator with the top level of academic accreditation.