As customers search for a financial professional, they will find many different types of certifications charters and qualifications. Each certification specializes in an area such as financial planning, risk, financial analysis, wealth management and other areas such as law or accounting.
In this new era of standards, people are now demanding certified professionals who have taken courses and exams at an accredited business school or nationally accredited program.
- CWM Chartered Wealth Manager ® awarded by the International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and EU Accredited Body. GAFM.com This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school. Accreditation: TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
- MFP Master Financial Planner ® awarded by the International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body. Anyone with a business school degree from an ACBSP or AACSB accredited school can apply for MFP if they have 5 or more courses in investments, finance, tax or economics with a GPA of 3.0 GAFM.org Accreditation: TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
- RIA Registered Investment Advisor license: Only good in the USA. If you work in a brokerage firm, the investment division of a bank or in an insurance company, you may be required to hold a Series 7 Stock Broker license or a Series 65 or 66 so that you can charge a fee for financial planning.
- AFA Accredited Financial Analyst ® awarded by the International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body. FinancialAnalyst.org This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school. Accreditation: TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
- CRA Certified Risk Analyst ® awarded by the GAFM International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body. FinancialAnalyst.org This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school. Accreditation: TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
- Attorney or Law License – State License – Typically somebody who has experience in Tax, Retirement Law, or Estate Planning. americanbar.org
- Chartered Financial Manager (ChFM) awarded by the Global Academy, LA, USA. FinancialCertified.com This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school. Accreditation: TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. Recognized by the Arab Academy of the Arab League. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
- CPA Certified Public Accountant – Regulated by State Government or AICPA https://nasba.org/licensure/gettingacpalicense/
- Certified Financial Planner ® awarded by the CFP Board. No GPA requirements. cfp.com Must pass the assessment.
- AMA Accredited Management Accountant ® awarded by the GAFM International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body. GAFM.org This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school. Accreditation: TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
- CFA Chartered Financial Analyst – You must take 3 different exams to achieve this charter or designation. This is not a certification but rather a charter.
Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments. Financial analysts typically do the following:
- Recommend individual investments and collections of investments, which are known as portfolios
- Evaluate current and historical financial data
- Study economic and business trends
- Examine a company’s financial statements to determine its value
- Meet with company officials to gain better insight into the company’s prospects
- Assess the strength of the management team
- Prepare written reports
Financial analysts evaluate investment opportunities. They work in banks, pension funds, mutual funds, securities firms, insurance companies, and other businesses. Financial analysts are also called securities analysts and investment analysts.
It is always best to seek certification from an accredited body that has either TUV or ISO certification. Also, check if your certification is part of the CHEA or ACBSP quality standards protocols.
