Additional Information

Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) 

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® and federally registered CFP (with flame design) marks (collectively, the “CFP® marks”) are professional certification marks granted independently in the United States by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”).

The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with Clients.

To attain the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must submit an application and satisfactorily fulfill the following requirements:

• Education – Complete an advanced college-level course of study addressing the financial planning subject areas that CFP Board’s studies have determined as necessary for the competent and professional delivery of financial planning services, or attain a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university (or its equivalent from a foreign university). CFP Board’s financial planning subject areas include insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning;
• Examination – Pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination. The examination, administered in 10 hours over a two-day period, includes case studies and Client scenarios designed to test one’s ability to correctly diagnose financial planning issues and apply one’s knowledge of financial planning to real world circumstances;
• Experience – Complete at least three years of full-time financial planning- related experience (or the equivalent, measured as 2,000 hours per year); and
• Ethics – Agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, a set of documents outlining the ethical and practice standards for CFP® professionals.

Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements in order to maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks:

• Continuing Education – Complete 30 hours of continuing education hours every two years, including two hours on the Code of Ethics and other parts of the Standards of Professional Conduct, to maintain competence and keep up with developments in the financial planning field; and
• Ethics – Renew an agreement to be bound by the Standards of Professional Conduct.

The Standards prominently require that CFP® professionals provide financial planning services at a fiduciary standard of care. This means CFP® professionals must provide financial planning services in the best interests of their Clients.

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 Analyst (CFA)

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential is a professional designation granted independently by the CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals. A candidate who successfully completes the rigorous program and meets other professional requirements is awarded the CFA charter and becomes a CFA charter holder.

To become a charter holder, candidates must submit an application and satisfy the following requirements:

• Four years of qualified professional work experience in the investment decision-making process;
• Complete the CFA Program, including mastery of the CFA curriculum and passing three six-hour examinations;
• Become a member of the CFA Institute and apply for membership to a local CFA member society; and
• Adhere to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

The CFA Program connects academic theory with current practice and ethical and professional standards to provide a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.

The CFA Institute recommends that charter holders complete a minimum of 20 hours of CE activities, including 2 hours in the content areas of Standards, Ethics, and Regulations (SER), each calendar year.

Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®)

Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®) is a designation granted independently by Kingdom Advisors to individuals who have demonstrated themselves to be:

Able to Apply Biblical Wisdom in Counsel:

By participating in the Certified Kingdom Advisor coursework and examination and committing to incorporate biblical principles in their financial advice.

Technically Competent:

By providing evidence of an approved professional designation (varying by discipline) or by having at least 10 years full-time experience in their discipline.

Ethical:

By agreeing to espouse and practice the Kingdom Advisors Code of Ethics, by maintaining active local church involvement, and by providing pastoral and client letters of reference.

Biblical Stewards:

By pledging that they practice biblical stewardship in their personal and professional lives and by giving regularly in proportion to their income.

The CKA® certification is a voluntary certification. Candidates must apply for the designation and complete a rigorous Core Training program, including a final certification exam.

Individuals who become certified must meet ongoing continuing education requirements, membership in Kingdom Advisors, and compliance with a set of ethical principles, rules, and standards in order to continue to use CKA® designation.

FAC is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) – the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors.

NAPFA members live by three important values:

• To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.

• To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.

• To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.

To obtain and continue membership in NAPFA:

• Firms must meet NAPFA’s definition of a Fee-Only financial advisor who is compensated solely by the client with neither the advisor nor any related party receiving compensation that is contingent on the purchase or sale of a financial product.

• Firms must submit a comprehensive financial plan or complete a review of their financial planning process.

• Each advisor must sign, renew, and comply with the Fiduciary Oath and NAPFA’s Code of Ethics.

• Each advisor must obtain a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education credits every two years.