Certifications & Licenses

March 17, 2026A Certified Financial Transitionist (CeFT) is trained to help clients navigate through major life events and the financial transitions that accompany them. The CeFT is the industry’s first designation specifically geared toward financial change and transition. The certification is offered… read more…

March 20, 2026A certified exit planner (CExP) can help even young business owners start planning for their eventual departure from the firm they helped grow. It can be a difficult process and many business owners, still hard at work, may feel it’s… read more…

March 18, 2026For many people, investing isn’t just about smart financial decisions. They also want to allocate their resources in a way that is consistent with their personal values or religious principles. Many may prefer financial advice from a professional who shares… read more…

March 11, 2026A financial advisor can help you create a retirement plan that reflects your needs, goals and desired lifestyle. An advisor who is a certified retirement counselor (CRC) can bring valuable expertise and knowledge to the table. Financial advisors with this certification are experts in retirement planning and retirement income management, among other related areas. If you… read more…

March 10, 2026The chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) designation distinguishes financial advisors and other retirement professionals as experts in helping clients prepare for retirement. To become a CRPC, these individuals must meet several qualifications, undergo hours of training and take an examination. Once a… read more…

March 20, 2026Federal employees often prefer to work with a Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant (ChFEBC) to help them address their financial concerns. ChFEBCs are financial professionals that are knowledgeable of changes to federal benefits and associated programs. They also have extensive knowledge about FERS, CSRS, and special provisions. A financial advisor can help you put together… read more…

March 11, 2026The Certified Fixed Income Practitioner designation indicates expertise in all things regarding fixed-income securities. If you are a financial professional. who wants to help people invest in bonds and other somewhat sheltered assets, this can further your career. The CFIP… read more…

March 10, 2026A certified treasury professional (CTP) is a designation some financial professionals earn so they are able to help businesses manage and operate their corporate treasuries. Like other certifications, such as certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial advisor (CFA), if… read more…

March 20, 2026More than half of Americans have invested in a stock-related fund. Most invest through their retirement accounts, often with little direction beyond selecting a 401(k) fund. But stocks are just one way to grow your money. Many investors are exploring… read more…

March 12, 2026A Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP) has a proven expertise in financial planning, which helps them better advise their clients. They are different than most paraplanners because the average paraplanner rarely has a formal certification. Paraplanners are part of a… read more…

March 19, 2026There’s no shortage of required licensing exams for financial professionals. From the Series 63 and Series 65 to Series 7, there are many different exams required for various roles within the financial services industry. Financial professionals who pass the Series 6… read more…

November 7, 2024The Series 65 exam is a test administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for individuals aiming to become licensed investment adviser representatives . The exam assesses knowledge related to investment vehicles, economic concepts, ethics, and legal guidelines that advisors need to understand to work with clients. Passing the Series 65 allows financial professionals… read more…

March 19, 2026Almost no one will know what it means if your business card has a “CPCU” after your name. The “almost” is key here though. Almost no one will understand what CPCU means, but your colleagues will. Future employers will. Business… read more…

March 17, 2026The Chartered Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation conveys an insurance professional’s expertise in one of seven different insurance topic areas. It’s a valuable certification if you are an agent or sales manager or work with insurance agents often. Here’s how to get… read more…

March 20, 2026The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certification helps Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) demonstrate expertise in all aspects of wealth management. A PFS is someone with a CPA who also offers financial planning services. There are many requirements before getting the PFS… read more…

March 19, 2026Thinking of becoming a licensed financial professional? You’ll likely have to take one, if not several, licensing exams. The Series 63 exam is one of the popular exams and it focuses on a financial professional’s ethical and fiduciary obligations. Read on… read more…

April 2, 2024Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a professional specialization that focuses on financial management and accounting for companies and organizations. This certification establishes that someone is an expert in both financial accounting and strategic business management. As a result, the CMA… read more…

March 17, 2026There are many certifications that a financial advisor can earn, like certified public accountant (CPA), certified financial planner (CFP) and more. The chartered financial consultant, or ChFC, certification isn’t quite as common as some of the others, but it holds… read more…

March 17, 2026Financial advisors have all sorts of different specializations and services that they offer. In turn, there are a number of certifications they can receive to show off those areas of focus. Some of the most popular ones are certified financial… read more…

March 20, 2026To be a chartered financial analyst (CFA) is to have passed three rigorous, six-hour exams encompassing economics, ethics, money management and a number of other financial topics. Becoming a CFA charter holder requires an average 1,000 hours of study and… read more…

March 20, 2026An operations professional takes on a lot of responsibility within the financial services industry. They bring clients aboard, receive and deliver funds and assets, collect payments, maintain accounts, and reinvest and disburse funds. To do all of that, they must… read more…

March 20, 2026A number of professions recognize the role of that supportive personnel trained in specified ways play in their work. Among the best known examples are paralegals and paramedics. Financial planners also have such a designation and it’s called “paraplanner.” Such… read more…

March 12, 2026A chartered financial analyst (CFA) is someone who holds a professional designation from the CFA Institute, an international association of financial professionals. CFAs primarily review individual investments, market trends and other factors to help individuals shape their portfolios and achieve a… read more…

May 27, 2023Think you want to help people manage their money and meet their ultimate financial goals? If so, you may be wondering how to become a financial planner. The process for becoming a financial planner varies depending on what kind of… read more…

April 2, 2024When choosing a financial advisor, pay attention to what certifications they’ve obtained. Common certifications you’ll see include certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified public account (CPA). Advisors earn these designations to assure clients that they have… read more…