While professional designations alone certainly don’t guarantee that an advisor is working solely in your best interest (being fee-only is the best indicator of that), the particular designations held by an advisor do reflect his or her commitment to obtaining the knowledge necessary to serve a diverse range of client situations, and also a commitment to continuing education.

Here are brief descriptions of the professional designations mentioned elsewhere on our site:

Certified Financial Planner.

The Certified Financial Planner™ designation is perhaps the most sought-after professional designation in the financial services industry. Certified Financial Planner™ practitioners must meet extensive educational requirements in a number of study areas, must pass a rigorous 10-hour examination, must have at least three years of experience, and must agree to a code of ethics. Certified Financial Planner™ practitioners must also complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary.

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF) designation represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply fiduciary practices. AIF designees learn fiduciary practices and the legal and best-practice framework upon which they are built. AIF designees have a reputation in the industry for the ability to implement a prudent process into their own investment practices as well as being able to assist others in implementing proper policies and procedures. For this reason, the AIF was named one of the “Ten Most Wanted” designations in the investment industry by Financial Planning magazine.

Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy.

The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy™ designation represents the knowledge advisors need to help clients reach their philanthropic goals, while also meeting their non-charitable estate planning and wealth management needs. Graduate-level courses cover topics such as the requirements, limitations and restrictions relating to charitable income tax deductions, philanthropy as a core component of comprehensive financial and estate planning, strategic use of charitable gifts and planned-gift techniques, administrative issues (including asset management, asset allocation, and ongoing administration) of charitable giving vehicles, and institutional and professional roles and relationships that support and facilitate charitable giving in the United States.