Credentials

CFP® professionals take a holistic, personalized approach to bring all the pieces of your financial life together. For more than 30 years, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards when providing financial advice to a client, which requires them to put their clients' interests first. That's why working with a CFP® professional gives consumers confidence today and a more secure tomorrow.

A Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) is a financial professional with extensive knowledge of life insurance. Life insurance is a vital part of holistic financial planning for both individuals and small businesses. The CLU® program gives an in-depth understanding of the practical, legal, and ethical aspects of life insurance, focusing on providing the best solutions to a modern and diverse clientele facing a range of risks and financial situations.

In 1982, the ChFC designation was introduced as an alternative to the CFP designation. It’s awarded by the American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The ChFC is less known than the CFP, but still stands as a distinguished certification in financial planning. The education portion for a ChFC is lengthier, comprising nine college-level courses that focus on financial planning, investing, insurance and retirement planning.

The Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) accredited program through The American College is tailored for financial professionals seeking to specialize in the retirement income planning field.

The Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) is designed for experienced financial advisors who want to make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities or special needs. It contains specialized knowledge focused on helping parents and caregivers plan for immediate and long term care, as well as wisely and compassionately guiding families through complex financial decisions and benefits systems so they and their loved ones can have the peace of mind they deserve.

A certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) helps couples and their attorneys achieve equitable divorce settlements using knowledge of tax law, asset distribution, and short- and long-term financial planning. They are required to have several years of relevant experience and pass an exam designed by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA) to receive the designation.

The CEPA designation is for financial advisors and other professionals (e.g. attorneys, CPAs, business brokers, etc.) who wish to support business owners with exit planning. At its core, exit planning allows business owners to maximize value and successfully transition their business on their own terms. Professionals who hold the CEPA designation learn how to blend exit strategy into the business as well as personal and financial goals of business owners.

The Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) is an accredited graduate degree from The Richard Irwin Graduate School that is part of The American College, Byrn Mawr, PA.  The American College is accredited by the Middle States Commission since 1978.  The MSFS is a concentration of advanced graduate education that equips the financial advisor in the tools needed to analyze, plan, and implement integrated financial and life strategies.