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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