Certifications

Professional Certifications in Finance

Objectives Of 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. We don't attempt 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 (CFA^®)

Attractive to: Investment Managers

	With candidates from over 130 countries, 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.
	Of the 20 certifications in finance, the CFA is the most respected.

Website: Chartered Financial Analyst Institute

Mailing Address:

CFA Institute
560 Ray C. Hunt Drive
P.O. Box 3668
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 are 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's Ch.F.C.

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 managerial 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 Management Accountants

Mailing Address:

Institute of Management Accountants
10 Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645-1759

Certified Treasury Professional (C.T.P.)

Attractive to: Corporate Treasury Officials

	The CTP (formerly known as the CCM, or Certified Cash Manager) is the only professional credential in treasury and cash management.
	The focus of the exams is upon treasury operations, cash payment systems, and cash management procedures.
	The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has changed the financial officer's world materially; the CTP certification program contains material to help cope with the requirements of this act.

Website: Association for Finance Professionals

Mailing Address:

Association for Finance Professionals
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 CLU designation.

Website: The American College's CLU

Mailing Address:

The American College
270 South Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2196