CFA - Chartered Financial Analyst:

A Chartered Financial Analyst is a professional designation that is awarded by the Association for Investment Management and Research. It is earned through three levels of testing and evaluation combined with professional work requirements. CFA's are often employed in the institutional financial community, such as mutual and pension funds and often investment banks.

CFP - Certified Financial Planner:

A Certified Financial Planner is a professional certification awarded by the CFP Board of Standards of the College of Financial Planning in Denver, CO. A financial services provider who possesses this credential has the capability to address investment related matters. A CFP can work with other professionals (accounting, insurance, law) to assist a client in establishing an overall financial plan. Planners often create the plan and then coordinate with others to implement, but that is not always the case.

CPA - Certified Public Accountant:

A Certified Public Accountant is a financial services professional that typically has a Bachelors degree in Accounting and has met the rigorous standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) through completion of their testing procedures and professional work requirements.

CPA-PFS - Certified Public Accountant-Personal Financial Specialist:

The PFS is the financial planning specialty accreditation held by CPA's who are members of the (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) AICPA. A CPA must demonstrate professional experience and expertise in a wide array of personal financial matters in addition to passing a comprehensive examination to be awarded the PFS accreditation.

ChFC - Chartered Financial Consultant:

The ChFC designation is sponsored by the American College and is based on a course of study that covers insurance, taxation, investments and other topics associated with general financial planning and investment management. A formal course of study followed by a national examination is required.

CLU - Chartered Life Underwriter:

The CLU designation is also sponsored by the American College and is based upon a course of study that involves a wide array of financial information with focus on the insurance profession. The designation requires a formal course of study followed by a national examination.

Note:

The list of credentials shown is not exhaustive. These have been selected because they reflect widely known and respected levels of professional achievement and are indicative of committed and competent professionals.

The Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) status has not been listed here for it is a legal distinction under governmental supervision and is not indicative of one's level of training.

If you are aware of another designation that you might have questions about, please contact AdvisorRegistry.com.