Certified Financial Planner (CFP® )
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
CPAs are licensed and regulated by their state boards of accountancy. Additionally, all AICPA members are required to follow a rigorous Code of Professional Conduct which requires that they act with integrity, objectivity, due care, competence, fully disclose any conflicts of interest (and obtain client consent if a conflict exists), maintain client confidentiality, disclose to the client any commission or referral fees, and serve the public interest when providing financial services. The vast majority of state boards of accountancy have adopted the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct within their state accountancy laws or have created their own.
Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®)
The RMA designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for the professional designation, which is centered on retirement management topics and strategies. Prerequisites for the RMA designation are: a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA®, CPWA®, CIMC ®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, or CPA license; have an acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements and three years of experience in financial services. RMA designees have completed a rigorous educational process that includes an online course, in-person educational Capstone and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. RMA designees are required to adhere to the Investments & Wealth Institute Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. RMA designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through the Investments & Wealth Institute.
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.