- All About Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA)
Let’s start with some good news. It is not as bad as you’ve heard. The divorce rate is high, but it still requires a lot of variables for a couple to actually get divorced. Still, “probably won’t happen” doesn’t mean… read more…
- What Is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)?
A 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…
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
More 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…
- Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP)
A 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…
- Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)
An investment’s performance could mean the difference between a comfortable retirement and a few more years of work. Therefore, it’s vital for financial planners and investment managers to accurately assess investment performance for their clients. A Certificate in Investment Performance… read more…
- Series 6: Definition and Exam Information
There’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…
- Series 65: Definition and Exam Information
The 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…
- What Does a Certified Risk Manager (CRM) Do?
Certified Risk Managers (CRMs) are financial professionals with training in risk management, which comes in handy when helping clients chart a financial future. The CRM designation is one of the most important designations for risk managers working in the finance,… read more…
- What Does A Financial Risk Manager Do?
Your friend wants to borrow $20, so you take a minute to think about it. What happened the last time he borrowed money from you? You might see that 20 bucks again, but even the odds say you don’t. So… read more…
- What Does a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Do?
Almost 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…
- What Is a CPA, and What Do They Do?
Certified public accountants (CPAs) are accounting professionals who have passed both the privately issued CPA exam and public licensing requirements. The main service they provide is preparing and filing tax returns, and they can represent clients in audits and disputes as well. Beyond accounting, a CPA can also assist with tasks like auditing financial statements… read more…
- What Is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)?
The 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…
- What Is a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)?
The 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…
- Series 63: Definition and Exam Information
Thinking 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…
- What Are the Community Property States?
If you live in a community property state, it could affect the way your finances are split up following a divorce. More specifically, states that use community property laws handle the division of specific types of assets and debts much… read more…
- What Is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA)?
Certified 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…
- What Is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)?
There 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…
- Where Seniors Are Staying in the Workforce – 2019 Edition
Whether working through your retirement years is an aspiration or a necessity, it doesn’t hurt to have some help with financial planning when considering that aspect of your future. As you set your goals, you might be interested in the fact that there are certain cities in which the senior participation in the labor force… read more…
- What Constitutes a Breach of Fiduciary Duty?
When partnering with a financial advisor to manage your money, one of the most critical aspects to consider is whether they are required to uphold a fiduciary duty to their clients. A fiduciary duty means that advisors are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interests, prioritizing your financial well-being above their own… read more…
- What Does A Family Office Do?
A family office is typically a full wealth and asset management firm that works with ultra-high-net-worth families to grow that wealth and pass it on to the next generation. Most people don’t need a family office, but it’s good to… read more…
- What Is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF)?
Financial 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…
- What Is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)?
To 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…
- What Universal Basic Income (UBI) Is and How It Would Work
Universal basic income (UBI) is a program often proposed by futurists and progressive politicians in an effort to erase inequality. Though, many believe that it would be an economic disaster. Essentially, UBI would provide a basic allowance for everyone in… read more…
- A Guide to the Series 99 License and Exam
An 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…
- How to Invest $1 Million
There are more ways to invest $1 million than you might think. It’s smart to have a plan in place and to assess your goals for growth and risk tolerance. Of course, you’ll also want to factor in how much… read more…