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3409 Transtech Way, Suite A
Billings, MT 59102
406.839.2037
314 South Main Street
Conrad, MT 59425
406.271.2391
Minimum Qualifications for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
Chartered Financial Analysts are licensed by the CFA Institute to use the CFA mark. CFA certification requirements:
•Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or have equivalent education or work experience
•Successful completion of all three exam levels of the CFA Program
•Have 48 months of acceptable professional work experience in the investment decision making process
•Fulfill society requirements, which vary by society. Unless you are upgrading from affiliate membership, all societies require two sponsor statements as part of each application, these are submitted online by your sponsors
•Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement, a Professional Conduct Statement, and any additional documentation requested by CFA Institute
Certified Financial Planner:
The CFP® certification is voluntary. No federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold the CFP® certification. You may find more information about the CFP® certification atwww.cfp.net. CFP® professionals have met CFP Board’s high standards for education, examination, experience, and ethics. To become a CFP® professional, an individual must fulfill the following requirements:
•Education – Earn a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and complete CFP Board-approved coursework at a college or university through a CFP Board Registered Program. The coursework covers the financial planning subject areas CFP Board has determined are necessary for the competent and professional delivery of financial planning services, as well as a comprehensive financial plan development capstone course. A candidate may satisfy some of the coursework requirement through other qualifying credentials.
•Examination – Pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination. The examination is designed to assess an individual’s ability to integrate and apply a broad base of financial planning knowledge in the context of real-life financial planning situations.
•Experience – Complete 6,000 hours of professional experience related to the personal financial planning process, or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience that meets additional requirements.
•Ethics – Satisfy the Fitness Standards for Candidates for CFP® Certification and Former CFP® Professionals Seeking Reinstatement and agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct (“Code and Standards”), which sets forth the ethical and practice standards for CFP® professionals.
Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements to remain certified and maintain the right to continue to use the CFP Board Certification Marks:
•Ethics – Commit to complying with CFP Board’s Code and Standards. This includes a commitment to CFP Board, as part of the certification, to act as a fiduciary, and therefore, act in the best interests of the client, at all times when providing financial advice and financial planning. CFP Board may sanction a CFP® professional who does not abide by this commitment, but CFP Board does not guarantee a CFP® professional's services. A client who seeks a similar commitment should obtain a written engagement that includes a fiduciary obligation to the client.
•Continuing Education – Complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain competence, demonstrate specified levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities, and keep up with developments in financial planning. Two of the hours must address the Code and Standards.
Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor:
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. Designees 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 Divorce Financial Analyst:
A CDFA®, formerly known as, Certified Divorce Planner (CDP), is an expert in the unique financial circ*mstances that surround a divorce. Currently offered and recognized by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts. The professional training for the certification is focused on understanding and estimating the long-term costs of a divorce, because divorce settlements can impact a person's financial picture for a very long time. Areas of expertise include:
•Tax consequences of divorce agreements
•The process of dividing and valuing property fairly
•Determining how much alimony and/or child support is appropriate and for how long
•Modeling the future values of retirement and pension funds
⠀Prerequisites include having a bachelor’s degree with three years of on-the job experience.Or, if no bachelor’s degree, five years of relevant experience.The designation is met by completing the proctored examination and fulfilling the 30 hours of divorce-related continuing education requirements every two years.
Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®)
The AIF® designation certifies that the recipient has specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF® designation, individuals must complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed-book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the AIF® Code of Ethics. In order to maintain the AIF® designation, the individual must annually renew their affirmation of the AIF® Code of Ethics and complete six hours of continuing education credits. The certification is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, LLC (a Fiduciary360 (fi360) company).
As a seasoned financial professional with extensive expertise in various certifications and designations within the field, I bring a wealth of knowledge to guide you through the intricacies of financial planning and investment management. My experience spans across different certifications, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the industry's standards and practices.
Let's delve into the information provided in the article:
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Contact Information:
- Address: 3409 Transtech Way, Suite A, Billings, MT 59102; 314 South Main Street, Conrad, MT 59425
- Phone: 406.839.2037 (Billings) and 406.271.2391 (Conrad)
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Minimum Qualifications for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®):
- Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent education/work experience.
- Successful completion of all three exam levels of the CFA Program.
- 48 months of acceptable professional work experience in investment decision-making.
- Fulfill society requirements, varying by society, and obtain two sponsor statements.
- Agree to adhere to and sign the Member's Agreement, a Professional Conduct Statement, and any additional documentation requested by CFA Institute.
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Certified Financial Planner (CFP®):
- Voluntary certification with no federal or state law requirement.
- Requirements include a bachelor's degree, completion of CFP Board-approved coursework, passing the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination, and accumulating 6,000 hours of professional experience related to financial planning.
- Adherence to Fitness Standards and the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
- Ongoing education and ethics requirements to maintain certification.
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Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA™):
- Designation involves a course of study covering client assessment, risk/return, investment objectives, portfolios, and more.
- Designees must pass an end-of-course examination and adhere to Standards of Professional Conduct.
- Renewal involves completing 16 hours of continuing education every two years.
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Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®):
- Expert in the financial aspects of divorce.
- Training includes understanding the long-term costs of divorce, tax consequences, property division, alimony, child support, and modeling future values of retirement and pension funds.
- Prerequisites include a bachelor's degree with on-the-job experience or relevant experience without a bachelor's degree.
- Certification requires passing a proctored examination and fulfilling 30 hours of divorce-related continuing education every two years.
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Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®):
- Specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards and their application to the investment management process.
- Certification involves completing a training program, passing a comprehensive examination, and agreeing to abide by the AIF® Code of Ethics.
- To maintain the designation, individuals must annually renew their affirmation of the AIF® Code of Ethics and complete six hours of continuing education credits.
This information showcases a commitment to professional development, ethical conduct, and ongoing education in the ever-evolving landscape of financial planning and investment management. If you have further questions or seek personalized advice, feel free to reach out.
