Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) -
The
Institute of
Business & Finance (IBF)
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) Individuals with the ChFC designation have demonstrated
their vast and thorough knowledge of financial planning. The
ChFC program is administered by the
American College. In addition to successful completion of an
exam on areas of financial planning, including income tax,
insurance, investment and estate planning, candidates are
required to have a minimum of three years experience in a
financial industry position.
Like those with the CFP designation, professionals who hold the
ChFC charter help individuals analyze their financial situations
and goals.
Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC)
Given by the
Investment Counsel Association, this is a designation which
CFA charter holders who are currently registered investment
advisors can study for. The focus of the CIC
program is portfolio management. In addition to proving their
high level expertise in portfolio management, these individuals
must also adhere to a strict code of ethics and provide
character reference letters.
Individuals who hold the CIC charter tend to be some of the
major players in the financial world, such as those who
manage large accounts and mutual funds.
Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) This designation focuses on
asset allocation, ethics, due diligence, risk measurement,
investment policy and performance measurement. Only individuals
who are investment
consultants with at least three years of professional
experience are eligible to try to obtain this certification,
which signifies a high level of consulting expertise. The
Investment
Management Consultants Association offers the CIMA courses.
Individuals who hold CIMA designations are required also to
prove their expertise through continual recertification, which
requires CIMA designees to complete at least 40 hours of
continuing education every two years.
CIMA designation holders tend to have careers with financial
consulting firms, which involves extensive interaction with
clients and the management of large amounts of money.
Chartered Market Technician (CMT)
To achieve this designation, an individual must pass a series of
three exams offered by the
Market
Technicians Association (MTA) and agree to adhere to the MTA
code of ethics. Individuals with the CMT designation have a
demonstrated expertise in the field of
technical analysis. Often CMTs will work for hedge
funds and money management firms.
Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial
Specialist (CPA and PFS)
Those holding the CPA
designation have passed examinations on accounting and tax
preparation, but their title does not indicate training in other
areas of finance. So, those CPA holders who are interested in
gaining expertise in financial planning in order to supplement
their accounting careers need to become certified as personal
finance specialists (PFS). The PFS designation is awarded by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to those
who have taken additional training and already have a CFP
designation.
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) - issued by
the American College
