What Is a Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC)?

If you’re a socially conscious person, it can affect every aspect of your life, from the car you drive to where you shop. It can also influence which companies you choose to invest in, with many investors choosing a socially responsible investing (SRI) strategy for their portfolios. If you’re considering socially responsible investments, a Chartered SRI Counselor is an investment advisor who can help you focus your investment strategy on these areas. First, this is what you need to know about the certification and requirements.

Consider asking a financial advisor about the best investment strategies based on your socially responsible investment preferences and long-term goals.

What Is a Chartered SRI Counselor?

Designed for experienced financial professionals, the Chartered SRI Counselor designation is an initial step toward responsible investing. It provides a financial professional with the background, knowledge and situational awareness required to help clients invest in sustainable, responsible and impact investments (SRI).

But what constitutes this type of investment? S&P Global explains SRI as “accounting for climate risks and environmental challenges, investments in physical and human capital, and good governance characteristics, among other factors.”

However, this does not cover all investments, S&P Global warns, saying that CSRICs actively avoid “companies or organizations whose businesses run counter to their nonfinancial values and ethical principles or those they perceive to have negative effects on society; including businesses across the alcohol, tobacco, fast food, gambling, weapons, fossil fuel or defense industries.”

The Chartered SRI Counselor designation is no longer actively issued by the College for Financial Planning (now under the Kaplan umbrella), but existing designations remain renewable and supported by the organization.

Requirements to Renew a CSRIC

The CSRIC designation is no longer available as a new designation, but existing professionals can still renew their designations every two years. Instructions are available by logging in to your student account, but in general, you must complete 16 hours of Continuing Education (CE) within each two-year period before renewal. You must then submit a renewal application, accept the terms and conditions and finally, pay a non-refundable $100 fee.

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How the CSRIC Fits Into SRI Portfolio Construction

A group of advisors reviewing investments.

Professionals who hold the CSRIC designation often apply its training directly when building or reviewing client portfolios.

The curriculum covers several frameworks for analyzing companies using environmental, social and governance data, helping advisors to better interpret how these factors affect available funds, indexes or individual securities. This can support investors who want their portfolios to reflect specific values, exclusions or impact goals while still focusing on long-term financial performance.

Many SRI portfolios rely on screening tools to include or exclude companies based on set criteria. CSRIC-trained advisors learn how different screening approaches work, how they may affect diversification and how funds apply those screens in practice. This can help clients compare investment products that appear similar but use different methodologies beneath the surface.

Shareholder engagement is another component of SRI that the CSRIC program discusses. Some funds pursue proxy voting or company engagement as part of their strategy. Advisors who understand these methods can explain how they may influence portfolio behavior or align with a client’s preferences.

Since the SRI space continues to evolve, the designation’s continuing education requirement helps advisors stay current on changes in ESG reporting, new fund structures and emerging regulatory considerations. This can be useful for clients who want clarity on how newer SRI trends may affect available investment choices.

For clients who aim to integrate value-based investing into their portfolios, the designation can signal that the advisor has specialized training in this area. While it does not replace broader investment experience, it can complement an advisor’s existing skills when helping clients weigh screened funds, thematic strategies or impact-focused investments.

Bottom Line

The Chartered SRI Counselor goes to a financial professional who specializes in sustainable, responsible and impact investments (SRI). These investments are investments that consider the environment, as well as corporate procedures and governance, to not only generate a return but also to make a positive societal impact.

This designation is for financial advisors who want to expand upon their skill set to include socially-responsible investing or those who wish to make it their primary professional focus. Candidates must complete a graduate-level course and pass the required exam to receive the CSRIC designation; then, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements to renew every two years.

In addition to an increased salary and expanded client base, financial advisors with a CSRIC designation often benefit from a deeper knowledge of available financial markets for their more specialized clients.

Responsible Investing Tips

If you’re not sure how to diversify your portfolio in a socially responsible way, a financial advisor may be able to help. Finding the right financial advisor that fits your needs doesn’t have to be hard. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Do you know your tolerance for investment risk? How much will taxes and inflation take out of your investment over time? What will your investment look like by the time you need it most? If you don’t have the answers to these basic questions, SmartAsset’s investing guide can help you take some important first steps.