Professional Certifications in Finance

Objectives Of Professional Certifications

• To establish a standard by which the practitioner's knowledge and competence may be known  (typically measured by a series of tests and an experience requirement)
• To encourage high educational standards and to elevate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of those certified
• To encourage continued professional development.

Financial Certifications

Over 20 certifications exist for the finance discipline, but only the larger and more established programs are shown below.  Our attempt is not to describe the requirements of each program, but merely to provide you with an introduction and a convenient way for you to obtain more information on those in which you are interested.  Feel free to follow the links to each certifications website for more details, requirements, and fees.
 
 
 

Chartered Financial Analyst (C.F.A.)

Attractive to: Investment Managers Administered in over 100 countries worldwide, the CFA is the world standard for validating expertise in investment management.   Rapidly becoming a requirement for individuals who want to work in the investment management field.  Many job openings in the investment management field advertise "CFA required" or "CFA preferred" in addition to the required relevant degree.   Of interest primarily to securities analysts, portfolio managers, bank trust officers, or anyone else who analyzes, recommends, or invests in securities on behalf of others.   over 140,000 people from more than 160 nations are currently enrolled in the program. Website CFA Institute Mailing Address CFA Institute P. O. Box 3668 5 Boar's Head Lane Charlottesville, VA 22903-0668

 

Certified Financial Planner (C.F.P.)

Attractive to: Financial Planners, Stock Brokers, and Certain Bank Officials Introduced in 1972, the CFP is the most widely recognized credential for financial planners.   The exams cover a broad array of areas such as taxation, life insurance, estate planning, financial planning, and investments.   Website CFP Board of Standards Mailing Address Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards  1700 Broadway  Suite 2100  Denver, Colorado 80290-2101

 

Chartered Financial Consultant (Ch.F.C.)

Attractive to: Financial Planners The Ch.F.C. and the C.F.P., to some degree, are competitors; they test over essentially the same topic areas.  However, there is a cooperative arrangement between the two sponsors as well.   The exams cover a broad array of areas such as taxation, life insurance, estate planning, financial planning, and investments.   The Ch.F.C. program began in 1982; today more than 30,000 people hold the Ch.F.C. designation.   Website The American College Mailing Address The American College  270 South Bryn Mawr Avenue  Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2196

 

Certified Financial Manager (C.F.M.)

Attractive to: Corporate Financial Managers Although sponsored by an accounting organization, the CFM is focused on financial applications.   Approved by the Financial Management Association   The exams test the areas of economics, corporate financial management, managerial analysis, decision analysis, and information systems (among others).   Website Institute of Certified Management Accountants Mailing Address Institute of Certified Management Accountants  10 Paragon Drive  Montvale, New Jersey 07645-1759

 

Certified Cash Manager (C.C.M.)

Attractive to: Corporate Treasury Officials The CCM is the only professional credential in cash management.   The focus of the exams is upon treasury operations, cash payment systems, and cash management procedures. Website Treasury Management Association Mailing Address Treasury Management Association  7315 Wisconsin Avenue  Suite 600 West  Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

Chartered Life Underwriter (C.L.U.)

Attractive to: Life Insurance Salespeople The first set of examinations was given in 1928.   Candidates must complete ten courses (eight required and two electives).   Over 80,000 people hold the C.L.U. designation. Website The American College Mailing Address The American College 270 South Bryn Mawr Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2196

< Back