Professional Credentials held by Members of the REDW Wealth Team

Certified Financial Planner™

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with flame design) logo in the United States (these marks are collectively referred to as the “CFP® marks”). The CFP Board authorizes use of the CFP® marks by individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. To earn the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must currently fulfill specific requirements in the areas of education, examination, experience, and ethics. Individuals who become certified must complete ongoing education, ethics, and certification requirements maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks. CFP® professionals who fail to comply with the above standards and requirements may be subject to CFP Board’s enforcement process, which could result in suspension or permanent revocation of their CFP® certification.

Chartered Financial Consultant

The Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designation has been a mark of excellence for almost thirty years and currently requires nine college-level courses, the most of any financial planning credential. Average study time to earn the ChFC® exceeds 450 hours. Required courses cover extensive education and application training in financial planning, income taxation, investments, and estate and retirement planning. Additional electives are chosen from such topics as macroeconomics, financial decisions for retirement, and executive compensation. ChFC® designees must meet experience requirements and adhere to continuing education and ethical standards. The credential is awarded by The American College, a non-profit educator founded in 1927 and the highest level of academic accreditation.

Chartered Financial Analyst®

The Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charter is a globally respected, graduate-level investment credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute — the largest global association of investment professionals. CFA® designates an international professional certificate that is offered by the CFA Institute. There are currently more than 178,000 CFA® Charterholders working in over 170 countries and regions. To earn the CFA® charter, candidates must: (1) pass three sequential, six-hour examinations; (2) have at least four years of qualified professional investment experience; (3) join CFA Institute as members; and (4) commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm, their adherence to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

Certified Wealth Strategist

The Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) certification is an application focused designation that aligns the needs of financial services firms, advisors, and consumers. The designation is administered through the Cannon Financial Institute. Prerequisites for the CWS certification are three years of financial services experience that must also include direct interaction with clients and a 4-year degree from an accredited school. To obtain the CWS certification, candidates must complete two instructor-led training sessions, a self-directed study on numerous wealth management issues and a capstone project. CWS designees must report 33 hours of continuing education credits every two years to maintain the certification.

Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®

The Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation is issued by The Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFATM), which is a national organization dedicated to the certification, education, and promotion of the use of financial professionals in the divorce arena. The CDFA® designation is available to individuals who have a minimum of three years experience as a financial professional, accountant, or matrimonial lawyer. To acquire and maintain the designation, a candidate must successfully pass all exams, be in good standing with their broker dealer (if applicable) and the FINRA/SEC or other licensing or regulatory agency, and must obtain fifteen divorce-related hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary®

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) Designation certifies that the recipient has specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF® Designation, the individual must meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, and/or ongoing professional development, complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed-book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards. In order to maintain the AIF® Designation, the individual must annually attest to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards, and accrue and report a minimum of six hours of continuing education. The Designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the standards-setting body of fi360.

Chartered Market Technician

Completing the Chartered Market Technician (CMT®) Program demonstrates mastery of a core body of knowledge of investment risk in portfolio management. The CMT® Program is grounded in behavioral economics and extends beyond classical pattern recognition techniques to include quantitative approaches to market research and rules based trading system design and testing. Technical analysis provides the tools to successfully navigate the gap between intrinsic value and market price across all asset classes through a disciplined, systematic approach to market behavior and the law of supply and demand. Candidates must have three years of professional analytical or investment management experience, pass three exams, and complete an application for Member Status. To maintain status as a CMT® charterholder, an individual must be a member of the CMT® Association in good standing and abide by the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

The College of Financial Planning® awards the Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor (CRPC®) designation to applicants who complete the CRPC® professional education program, pass a final examination, commit to a code of ethics and agree to pursue continuing education. Continued use of the CRPC® designation is subject to ongoing renewal requirements. Every two (2) years the designee must renew their right to continue using the CRPC® designation by completing 16 hours of continuing education and reaffirming to abide by the Standards of Professional Conduct.

Accredited Asset Management Specialist

The Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) designation is awarded by the College for Financial Planning® to investment professionals who complete its 12-module AAMS® Professional Education Program, pass an examination, commit to a code of ethics and agree to pursue continuing education. Continued use of the AAMS® designation is subject to ongoing renewal requirements. Every two (2) years the designee must renew their right to continue using the AAMS® designation by completing 16 hours of continuing education and reaffirming to abide by the Standards of Professional Conduct.

Enrolled Agent

An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional who has passed an IRS test covering all aspects of taxation, plus passed an IRS background check. EAs have passed a two-day, 8-hour examination. The examination (called the Special Enrollment Examination) covers all aspects of federal tax law, including the taxation of individuals, corporations, partnerships, and various regulations governing IRS collections and audit procedures. Like CPAs and tax attorneys, EAs can handle any type of tax matter and represent their client’s interests before the IRS. Unlike CPAs and tax attorneys, EAs are tested directly by the IRS, and enrolled agents focus exclusively on tax accounting. The EA designation may be revoked by the IRS’ Office of Professional Responsibility for malpractice.

Chartered Life Underwriter

Since 1927, the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) has been the respected risk management credential for advisors. Designees have completed eight or more college-level courses representing an average study time of 400 hours. Topics for required courses include insurance and financial planning, life insurance law, estate planning, and planning for business owners and professionals. Elective courses include such advanced topics as income taxes, group benefits, retirement planning, and health insurance. CLU® designees must meet experience and continuing education requirements and must adhere to a high ethical standard. The mark is awarded by The American College, a non-profit educator with the top level of academic accreditation.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst (AIFA®) Designation certifies that the recipient has advanced knowledge of fiduciary standards of care, their application to the investment management process, and procedures for assessing conformance by third parties to fiduciary standards. To receive the AIFA® Designation, the individual must hold the AIF® Designation, meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, auditing experience, and/or ongoing professional development, complete a training program, successfully pass a comprehensive, closed-book final examination under the supervision of a proctor and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards. In order to maintain the AIFA® Designation, the individual must annually attest to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards, and accrue and report a minimum of ten hours of continuing education. The Designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the standards-setting body of fi360.

Certified Public Accountant

The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation distinguishes licensed accounting professionals committed to protecting the public interest. These professionals offer financial statement audits and other attestation services to help inform investors about the financial health of organizations. They provide individuals and families with valuable knowledge and advice on taxes and financial planning. In business and industry, CPAs offer organizations around the world tax, financial reporting and advisory services to drive strategic decision-making and foster growth and success. To earn the CPA license, accounting professionals must have extensive education, at least 150 hours, pass a rigorous four-part exam and meet experience requirements. They must also commit to lifelong learning and adhere to a strict Code of Professional Conduct that requires competence, objectivity, integrity and independence. The CPA exam is owned by The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants® (AICPA).

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