Designations

CFA® Designation

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter is a designation given to those who have completed the CFA® Program and completed acceptable work experience requirements. What is special about the CFA designation candidates are rigorously tested in their skills in portfolio management, wealth planning, and investment analysis. This includes knowledge of a wide range of financial instruments, including equities, fixed income, derivatives, and alternative investments such as real estate and hedge funds. The CFA Charter is widely recognized in finance related roles, and charterholders occupy a range of investment decision making positions in areas such as portfolio management, equity research, wealth planning, risk management, and corporate finance. The CFA curriculum is designed by a diverse committee which includes investment professionals, academics, and regulators to ensure that it is relevant to the current environment and up to date with current research consensus. Finally, charterholders are educated in the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, which exists and is updated to foster integrity and professionalism within the investment industry.

 

CFP® designation

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation focuses on financial planning for individual clients, as opposed to large financial institutions. Its curriculum covers areas relevant to individual investors, including general financial planning, risk management, insurance, retirement planning, and estate planning. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first.