ChFC - Chartered Financial Consultant
The ChFC® designation is held by approximately 40,000 financial advisors (so approximately 19.8% of licensed advisors). The program and designation were created by the American College of Financial Services in 1982. It requires the same core curriculum needed for the CFP® plus additional coursework that further hones an applicant’s skills as a professional wealth manager.
To become a ChFC® a candidate needs to pass a total of eight courses covering all facets of financial planning. In addition, they need to have worked full-time for three of the last five years in a related field. An undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution counts toward one year of business experience.
A ChFC® primarily works in the financial services and insurance industries, providing financial planning advice covering topics including income tax, retirement, risk management, estate planning and investments.
ChFC® charterholders are held to a fiduciary standard, which means they are bound by law to consider the best financial interests of their clients when pursuing any investment decision. The certification requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including an ethics course.
Any third party logos and/or trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and no endorsement by those owners of Fiduciary Edge Advisors LLC is stated or implied. Designations and certifications do not guarantee future results.
AIF ® - Accredited Investment Fiduciary ® Investment Fiduciaries are constantly exposed to legal and practical scrutiny. This can arise for various reasons and from multiple facets the role of advisor. We live in litigious times and without proper procedures and processes in place when in a position of trust, of which a fiduciary is in, we can put ourselves at risk. Although some allegations may be justified, many can be avoided by having a clear knowledge of who constitutes a fiduciary and what is required of one.
The AIF® training and designation offered through fi360 helps mitigate this liability by instructing in practices that cover pertinent legislation and best practices. The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply the fiduciary Practices. Through fi360's AIF® Training programs, AIF® designees learn the Practices and the legal and best practice framework they are built upon. AIF® designees have a reputation in the industry for the ability to implement a prudent process into their own investment practices as well as being able to assist others in implementing proper policies and procedures.
AIF ® designees are required to complete six hours of continuing education annually and to attest to the code of ethics: fi360 AIF® Code of Ethics. I recognize that this Code of Ethics, and its principles and obligations, are in addition to those set forth by any other Code that governs my professional and ethical conduct.
Any third party logos and/or trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and no endorsement by those owners of Fiduciary Edge Advisors LLC is stated or implied. Designations and certifications do not guarantee future results.
To my clients, I will:
- Employ and provide the client information on the Prudent Practices when serving as an investment fiduciary and/or advising other investment fiduciaries.
- Act with honesty and integrity and avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
- Ensure the timely and understandable disclosure of relevant information that is accurate, complete, and objective.
- Be responsible when determining the value of my services and my form of compensation; taking into consideration the time, skill, experience, and special circumstances involved in providing my services.
- Know the limits of my expertise and refer my clients to colleagues and/or other professionals in connection with issues beyond my knowledge and skills.
- Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of my work, and not disclose such information to others, except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to do so. I will not use confidential information acquired in the course of my work for my personal advantage.
- Not exploit any relationship or responsibility that has been entrusted to me.
To my community (whether defined by work, family, and/or friends), I will:
- Proactively promote and be a steward of ethical behavior as a responsible partner among my peers in the work environment and in my community.
- Ensure that the overall promotion of my practice is implemented in the best interests of my profession.
- Seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work; acknowledge and correct errors; and properly credit the contributions of others.
- Use corporate assets and resources employed or entrusted to me in a responsible manner.
- Continue to improve my knowledge and skills, share ideas and information with colleagues, and assist them in their professional development.
Graduates of the National Institute of Certified Estate Planners shall adhere to the NICEP Code of Ethics and agree to:
- properly represent themselves with utmost integrity, making every effort to set the highest level of service and competence in the estate planning profession.
- provide quality of service that is beneficial to, and in the best interest of, their clients.
- participate in ongoing continuing education programs which shall serve to promote their individual proficiency and their credentials.
- maintain proper compliance with any State or Federal authorities and regulations as well as the professional companies and organizations that they represent, and shall notify the NICEP, in writing, regarding any regulatory non compliance findings by these entities in a timely manner.
- submit to the findings and rulings of the NICEP with regard to the continued use of its trademarked professional certification marks.
- conduct their business in a trustworthy and honest manner that shall enhance the reputation of the NICEP, its certifications, and associates.