Glossary of financial certifications
Financial certification is not the same as a registration or a license.
When choosing an advisor, educational achievements and professional experience are important considerations, in addition to licensing and registration. But did you know the financial certificates used by advisors does not necessarily mean they are registered or licensed with a regulator or other authority?
More detailed information on understanding financial certifications can be found with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
AAPC
Advisor Assistant Professional Certificate®
AFCC
Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada®
AIFA
Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst®
AIFP (in Canada) and AIF (in United States)
Accredited Investment Fiduciary Professional™
BIA
Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act
CA
Chartered Accountant
CBV/EEE
Chartered Business Valuator/Expert en évaluation d’entreprises
CCS
Certified Cash Flow Specialist
CDFA
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
CEA
Certified Executor Advisor
CEBS
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist Designation
CAMLS
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist®
CCMS
Certified Capital Markets Trading Specialist®
CETFS
Certified ETF Specialist®
CRCS
Certified Regulatory Compliance Specialist®
CSRRS
Certified Supervision, Risk and Regulation Specialist®
CFA
Chartered Financial Analyst
CFDS
Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist
CFP®
Certified Financial Planner®
CGA
Certified General Accountant
ChFC®
Chartered Financial Consultant®
CHS™
Certified Health Insurance Specialist
CIM
Canadian Investment Manager
CIM®
Chartered Investment Manager
CIMA®
Certified Investment Management Analyst®
CIPM
Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement
CIRP
Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional
CIWM
Certified International Wealth Manager
CLU®
Chartered Life Underwriter
CMA
Certified Management Accountant
CMT
Chartered Market Technician
CPA
Chartered Professional Accountant
CPCA
Certified Professional Consultant on Aging
CRC
Certified Retirement Counselor
CSA
CSA – Certified Senior Advisor
CSC®️
Canadian Securities Course
CSWP®
Chartered Strategic Wealth Professional
DFA – Tax Services Specialist™
DFA – Tax Services Specialist™
DFA – Bookeeping Services Specialist™
DMS
Derivatives Market Specialist
EPC
Elder Planning Counselor Designation
FBS®
Certified Financial Behavior Specialist®
F.Pl.
Financial Planner
FSCI®
Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute
FICB
Fellow, Institute of Canadian Bankers
FMA
Financial Management Advisor
FPSC Level 1® Certificate
FPSC Level 1® Certification in Financial Planning
FRM
Financial Risk Manager
GBA
Group Benefits Associate
MFA™
Master Financial Advisor
MTI®
MTI - MTI Estate and Trust Professional
PFA™
Professional Financial Advisor
PFP®
Personal Financial Planner
PRM™
Professional Risk Manager™
PCBO
Professional Certificate in Brokerage Operations®
PCMO
Professional Certificate in Mutual Fund Operations®
R.F.P.®
Registered Financial Planner®
RFRA
RFRA - Registered Financial and Retirement Advisor Program
RIAC
RIAC - Responsible Investment Advisor Certification
RIPC
RIPC - Responsible Investment Professional Certification
RIS
RIS - Responsible Investment Specialist
RPA
Retirement Plans Associate
RRC
RRC - Registered Retirement Consultant® Program
SSC
Smart Specialist Certificate®
TEP
Trust and Estate Practitioner
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