1. Financial Designators which are widely accepted as excellent to have in the investment, financial planning, insurance and tax preparing field.
Created by:
Bob Crane, Managing Member
Wealth Builders Group, LLC.
President of MoneyMasters, Inc.

2. Remember financial knowledge is the key to economic empowerment.
There are a lot of financial designators. Some are much better than others. Below is a good list to look for in an individual who claims to be a Financial Planner, Investment Advisor or Tax Specialist. In my opinion, if individuals do not hold several of these peer reviewed financial designators and or FINRA licenses, I would look else ware for those that do have these certifications. In dealing with your financial future, more “peer reviewed” certifications are better than less.
To gain a greater knowledge in investments, financial products, insurance and taxation go to WBG-LLC.com and click on the “Resource” or “Learning Center”. Everything you ever wanted to know is there for you to learn.
Remember financial knowledge is the key to economic empowerment.

3. Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
Those with the CFP® designation have demonstrated competency in all areas of financial planning. Candidates complete studies on more than 100 topics, including stocks, bonds, taxes, insurance, retirement planning and estate planning. The program is administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. In addition to passing the CFP certification exam, candidates must also complete qualifying work experience and agree to adhere to the CFP Board's code of ethics and professional responsibility and financial planning standards.
A financial planner works with individuals to help them understand their options and make financial decisions suited to their personal financial situation and goals. Since, because of the nature of their work, a lot of trust is placed in these individuals, the CFP Board posts information on the financial planning process and current licensees, allowing clients of CFPs to verify if their financial planners' designations are in good standing.
Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
As the name implies, an individual with this certification has demonstrated his or her expertise in mutual funds and the mutual fund industry. These individuals often advise clients on which funds to invest in and depending on whether they have their license, they will buy and sell funds for clients. The Institute of Business and Finance (IBF), provides the CFS, and the course focuses on a variety of mutual fund topics, including portfolio theory, dollar-cost averaging and annuities.
The knowledge these CFS designees hold is kept current through their continuing education requirements.

4. Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
Individuals with the ChFC designation have demonstrated their vast and thorough knowledge of financial planning. The ChFC program is administered by the American College. In addition to successful completion of an exam on areas of financial planning, including income tax, insurance, investment and estate planning, candidates are required to have a minimum of three years’ experience in a financial industry position.
Like those with the CFP designation, professionals who hold the ChFC charter help individuals analyze their financial situations and goals.
 Chartered Market Technician (CMT)
To achieve this designation, an individual must pass three exams offered by the Market Technicians Association (MTA) and agree to adhere to the MTA code of ethics. Individuals with the CMT designation have a demonstrated expertise in the field of technical analysis. Often CMTs will work for hedge funds and money management firms.

5. Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist (CPA and PFS)
Those holding the CPA designation have passed examinations in accounting and tax preparation, but their title does not indicate training in other areas of finance. So, those CPA holders who are interested in gaining expertise in financial planning to supplement their accounting careers need to become certified as personal finance specialists (PFS). The PFS designation is awarded by the American Institute of CPAs to those who have taken additional training and already have a CPA designation.
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
This designation is issued by the American College, and those who hold it work mostly as insurance agents. The CLU designation is awarded to persons who complete a 10- course program of study and 20 hours of exams. The course covers the fundamentals of life and health insurance, pension planning, insurance law, income taxation, investments, financial and estate planning, and group benefits.

6. Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS)
As the name implies, an individual with this certification has demonstrated his or her expertise in traditional fixed- rate, equity-indexed, and variable annuities annuity contracts and titling options, living benefits, compound interest, and unnecessary taxes. These individuals often advise clients on which retirement options are best to fit their needs. The Institute of Business and Finance (IBF), provides the training for the CAS.
The knowledge these CAS designees hold is kept current through their continuing education requirements.
Certified Estate and Trust Specialist (CES)
As the name implies, an individual with this certification has demonstrated his or her expertise in estate planning and asset repositioning on behalf of financial planning clients. The CES offers expert guidance on beneficiaries, wills and probates, retirement accounts, taxes, and trusts, living trusts and control trusts, incapacity, post-mortem guidelines, and funerals. Explain the tax and income benefits of charitable giving. Understand the duties of executors and successor trustees
The knowledge these CES designees hold is kept current through their continuing education requirements.

7. Certified Tax Specialist (CTS)
The CTS™ designation is the first of its kind in the industry and has proven effective in helping reducing clients’ tax obligations. As the name implies, an individual with this certification has demonstrated his or her expertise in income tax filing, the impact of current tax regulations on individuals, couples, families, and business owners, business income and home businesses, tax credits, itemized deductions, and retirement plans, LLCs and S corporations. Describe the IRS statute of limitations, interest, and penalty provisions. Calculate withholding, estimated payments, and FICA taxes
The knowledge these CTS designees hold is kept current through their continuing education requirements.
Certified Income Specialist (CIS)
As the name implies, an individual with this certification has demonstrated his or her expertise in retirement planning, cash reserves and FDIC coverage, closed-end funds, utilities, bonds, and preferred shares, use time value tables to project end results, depletion rates, and accumulation, assess risk with confidence. Explain the downsides of investing and strategies for minimizing risk, understand how Social Security and Medicare benefits are calculated, increase client comprehension and differentiate between I-Bonds and TIPS.
The knowledge these CIS designees hold is kept current through their continuing education requirements.

8. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
Enrolled Agent (EA)
An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status must adhere to ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) was created in July 2007 when the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) merged with the self-regulatory functions of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
FINRA Exams: FINRA administers a lengthy list of exams that are among the most important credentials for people holding key positions in member firms. For some jobs, it may be necessary to hold multiple certifications, by passing multiple exams. For most FINRA certifications, re-testing every few years is necessary, to demonstrate that you have kept up with developments in the industry.

9. Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) FINRA License 65
A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is an advisor or firm engaged in the investment advisory business and registered either with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities authorities. RIAs have a fiduciary duty to their clients, which means they have a fundamental obligation to provide suitable investment advice and always act in their clients' best interests.
What is the 'Series 65‘
The FINRA Series 65 is a securities license required by most U.S. states for individuals who act as investment advisors. The Series 65 exam, called the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, covers laws, regulations, ethics and topics such as retirement planning, portfolio management strategies and fiduciary responsibilities. The exam itself is administered by FINRA.

10. What is the Series 63'
The FINRA Series 63 (known as the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination) is a registered exam that is required of all prospective registered representatives in most of the U.S. states. The exam was developed to qualify candidates who want to work in the securities industry within a state and to sell investment products, such as mutual funds, variable annuities and unit investment trusts. The exam covers the principles of state securities regulations. Each state has its own securities regulations, called blue-sky laws, that were developed to regulate the sale of securities. What is the Series 6‘
The FINRA Series 6 is a securities license entitling the holder to register as a limited representative and sell mutual funds, variable annuities and insurance premiums. Holders of the Series 6 license are not permitted to sell corporate or municipal securities, direct participation programs and options.

11. What is the Series 7‘
The FINRA Series 7 is the general securities registered representative license administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that entitles the holder to sell all types of securities products with the exception of commodities and futures.
The bulk of the Series 7 exam focuses on investment risk, taxation, equity and debt instruments, packaged securities, options, retirement plans and interactions with clients. The purpose of the Series 7 license is to set a level of competency for a registered representative or stockbroker to work in the securities industry. The Series 7 license is a basic requirement for an entry-level broker. The Series 7 licensing exam covers an extensive range of financial terms and topics as well as securities regulations.

12. Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS)
While certifications are not everything, you should give extra credit to investment professionals who have them. Most of these certifications require candidates to put in many hours of study and meet high ethical and professional standards. For instance, The Master of Science in Financial Services (MFSF) from the Institute of Business and Finance (IBF) includes five stand-alone financial designators coupled with twenty plus page financial plan analysis which is peer reviewed on content, strategy, tax and retirement applications coupled with social security and risk management integration.
There are many other financial designators, unfortunately many of them lack continuing education or third party objective testing and certification. The programs discussed above meet all these requirements and are generally accepted as “excellent quality” certifications for potential clients to look for in a financial planner and investment advisor.