CPAs have passed examinations on accounting and tax preparation, but their title does not indicate training in other areas of finance.

A CPA who is interested in financial planning, he or she will need to become certified as a personal finance specialist (PFS). The PFS designation is awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to those who have taken additional training and already have a CFP designation.

The AICPA's prestigious ABV credential is for CPAs with extensive experience and who specialize in business valuation (BV). Possessing the ABV credential lets your clients know that you are an expert in this field and is an essential marketing tool for the CPA wishing to specialize in this lucrative practice area. Our ABV credential is the most rigorous of the valuation certifications and holds the most prestige in the marketplace.

A Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) is a CPA credentialed as a technology professional and recognized for his or her unique ability to bridge the gaps between business and technology. This is a unique credential, unlike other certifications that recognize only a narrow scope of skills.

NACVA's original business valuation certification. A primary requirement for becoming a CVA is to hold a valid license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

250 multiple choice questions - administered in two parts of 125 questions each; 3 hours testing time for each part. This registration qualifies a candidate for the solicitation, purchase, and/or sale of all securities products, including corporate securities, municipal securities, municipal fund securities, options, direct participation programs, investment company products, and variable contracts.

The examination (also called the "Series 65") is designed to qualify candidates as an investment adviser representatives. The exam covers topics that have been determined to be necessary to provide investment advice to clients. The examination consists of 180 multiple choice questions and 10 pretest questions. Applicants are allowed 150 minutes to complete the examination.

The examination (also called the "Series 66") is designed to qualify candidates as both securities agents (Series 63) and investment adviser representatives (Series 65). The exam covers topics that have been determined to be necessary to provide investment advice and effect securities transactions for clients. The examination consists of 100 multiple choice questions and 10 pretest questions. Applicants are allowed 150 minutes to complete the examination.

A life agent (LX) is a person authorized by and on behalf of a life, disability, or life and disability insurer to transact life, disability or life and disability insurance. All insurance agents are licensed by the states they do business in, and an agent should be willing to provide information about that license. Check with regulators to make sure the agent has the proper licenses and has not been disciplined. You can call your state insurance commission or access the department's Web page by clicking on your state on this link through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners: (http://www.naic.org/consumer/state/usamap.htm ).

A fire and casualty licensee is a person authorized to act as an insurance agent, broker, or solicitor, and a fire and casualty broker-agent license is a license so to act. FX license authority is determined by what documents are submitted. All insurance agents are licensed by the states they do business in, and an agent should be willing to provide information about that license. Check with regulators to make sure the agent has the proper licenses and has not been disciplined. You can call your state insurance commission or access the department's Web page by clicking on your state on this link through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners: (http://www.naic.org/consumer/state/usamap.htm ).

A real estate broker is licensed by the state(s) in which he or she practices to arrange the purchase or sale of property for a buyer or seller in return for a commission. A real estate agent is an individual who works for a real estate broker and may hold an individual real estate broker's license. Real estate brokers may help consumers finance a real estate purchase through their contacts with banks, savings and loans, and mortgage bankers.

A Notary Public is honest, trustworthy, responsible and dignified member of our society. Appointed by the office of the Secretary of State to witness by officially sealed written acknowledgment, or jurat the signing of documents as well as to administer oath. A Notary Public is legally empowered to witness signatures and certify a document's validity and to take depositions

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers this designation to individuals who wish to represent taxpayers before the IRS at all levels of examination, appeal and collection. To attain enrolled agent status, an individual must pass the IRS's comprehensive two-day Special Enrollment Examination on all aspects of tax law (or have five years of qualifying employment with the IRS) and have his or her enrolled agent application approved by the IRS.

This designation is offered by the CFA Institute. To obtain the CFA designation, you must successfully complete three exams, in addition to qualifying work experience. Candidates are required to demonstrate their competence and integrity by passing exams on accounting, economics, money management and security analysis.

This is a designation given by the Investment Counsel Association to those holding CFAs and currently working as investment counselors. The focus of this program is portfolio management. CICs are some of the major players, managing large accounts and mutual funds.

Those with the CFP designation have demonstrated their competency in all areas of finance related to financial planning. Candidates complete studies on over 100 topics, including stocks/bonds, taxes, insurance, retirement planning and estate planning. The program is administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. In addition to passing the CFP certification exam, candidates must also complete qualifying work experience and agree to adhere to the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Standards.

Individuals with the ChFC designation have demonstrated their vast and thorough knowledge in financial planning and, like CFPs, ChFCs help individuals analyze their financial situations and goals. The ChFC program is administered by the American College. In addition to successful completion of an exam on areas of financial planning, including income tax, insurance, investment and estate planning, candidates are required to have a minimum of three years experience in a financial industry position in order to become a ChFC.

This designation is issued by the American College and is held mostly by insurance agents. The CLU designation is awarded to persons who complete a 10-course program of study and 20 hours worth of exams. The course itself covers the fundamentals of life and health insurance, pension planning, insurance law, income taxation, investments, financial and estate planning, and group benefits.

A "CPCU" or Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, is an insurance professional who has earned the CPCU designation. In order to achieve this prestigious designation, insurance professionals must meet the following requirements: Education, Ethics, Experience.

CMA certification requires the broad range of topics that are key to management performance and contribution. Exam topics include economics, business finance, situational analysis, and decision making with a strong emphasis on ethics. Combined with relevant rule-based subject matter, the four-tiered CMA exam is designed to develop and measure critical thinking and decision-making skills.

The CFM certification provides Members who are involved with corporate cash management, financing and investment decisions, and risk management with a means for further demonstrating an expanded skill set. This exam provides an in-depth measure of competence in areas such as financial statement analysis, working capital policy, capital structure, valuation issues, and risk management.

The criteria for the AVA designation require that one hold a business degree from an accredited institution of higher education, have a prerequisite understanding of accounting fundamentals as applied to business valuation theory and practice, and demonstrate substantial prior experience in business valuation. Information about qualifications for government employed valuators can be found here.

Designed to provide assurance to the legal community—the primary users of litigation consulting services—the designee possesses a level of experience and knowledge deemed acceptable by the Association to provide competent and professional forensic financial consulting services.

Historically, it is only after the fraud has been committed, and subsequently detected, that the business advisor is called upon to investigate and assess damages. For the business owner this sequence of events feels like “insult upon injury” because the cost to investigate can be quite substantial and it falls on top of losses due to the fraud. Business owners look to their accountants or business advisors for assistance in investigating the fraud, but more importantly, to strengthen their internal controls to prevent fraud in the first place.

Diplomate Distinction: ACFEI's Six Steps to Diplomate Status: Qualified professionals are invited to apply for Diplomate status under any of ACFEI's 12 boards. The Diplomate distinction is a prestigious credential that recognizes excellence and achievement and identifies competence at the highest level. Not only does it establish the Diplomate as a distinguished top professional, it also encourages continuous professional development and promotes visibility in the field of forensic science. Plus, Diplomate status provides a way for the public to recognize that an individual is a reliable, educated and competent forensic professional.

The CPM designation is the industry's premier real estate management credential. The Institute offers the only comprehensive program exclusively developed for property and asset managers working with large portfolios of all property types – residential, commercial, retail and industrial. Research shows that investors and owners prefer the CPM designation to any other real estate credential. Join over 8,800 professional real estate managers who hold this distinguished designation worldwide.

The MAI designation is earned by appraisers with experience in the valuation and evaluation of commercial, industrial, residential, and other types of properties, and to those who advise clients on real estate investment decisions.

The SRPA designation is held by appraisers who are experienced in the valuation of commercial, industrial, residential, and other types of properties.

The SRA designation is earned by appraisers who are experienced in the valuation of single-family homes, town homes, and residential income properties of up to and including four units.

The SREA designation is held by appraisers who are experienced in real estate appraising and analysis, and advise clients on real estate investment decisions. To receive the SREA designation, an appraiser already must have received the SRPA or SRA designation.

Senior Member. To qualify for the ASA designation, an individual must have a minimum of five years of full-time equivalent appraisal experience and a college degree or its equivalent.

Fellow of the Society. To achieve the FASA designation, an Accredited Senior Appraiser must be recognized by ASA's International Board of Governors for outstanding services to the appraisal profession and/or the society.

The Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB) awards the CTFA designation to individuals who meet personal trust experience and education requirements, pass an examination on tax law, investment management, personal finance, insurance and estate planning, fiduciary and trust activities, and agree to meet ICB's continuing education requirements.

The RFG designation is awarded by the American Institute of Gerontology (AIFG), in conjunction with the American Society on Aging and Widener University School of Business Administration to help financial planners, insurance agents, CPAs, Elderlaw attorneys, etc., who work with older clients and their families. Financial professionals receiving the designation complete six courses in the field of aging and financial issues administered by AIFG, pass a comprehensive examination, commit to a code of ethics and complete a service learning requirement.

The American College awards this designation to individuals involved in traditional health insurance or managed care who have successfully completed the College's three-course curriculum and met experience, ethics and continuing education requirements.

This mark is awarded by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT) to individuals who complete six educational courses and pass corresponding exams, fulfill experience, ethics and continuing education requirements, and pay an annual registration fee.

The AEP designation is awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils to estate planners who have completed two graduate-level courses administered by The American College, meet specific professional requirements and who practice as one of the following: attorney, CPA, trust officer, CLU, CFP® certificant or ChFC.

This designation is awarded by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) to individuals who pass AFCPE courses, meet experience and ethics requirements and submit three letters of reference.

As the name implies, an individual with this certification has demonstrated his or her expertise in mutual funds and the mutual fund industry. The Institute of Business & Finance, formerly known as the Institute of Certified Fund Specialists, provides training for the CFS and the course focuses on a variety of mutual fund topics, including portfolio theory, dollar-cost averaging and annuity topics.

This designation is awarded by the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) to members who have met education, experience and membership requirements, agreed to abide by its code of ethics and previously earned either a securities/insurance license, or one of the following: CPA, CFA®, CFP® certification, CLU, ChFC, J.D., EA or RHU.

An investment consultant must have three years of professional experience before being eligible to obtain this certification, which designates a high level of consulting expertise. The Investment Management Consultants Association offers the CIMA courses.

This credential is awarded by the Institute for Certified Investment Management Consultants (ICIMC) to financial consultants who meet its ethical, experience and continuing education requirements, and who pass two levels of NASD-administered examinations based on the ICIMC's self-study course in Investment Theory and Management/Elements of Investment Management Consulting.

In order to achieve this designation, a series of three exams offered by the Accreditation Committee of the Market Technicians Association (MTA) must be completed successfully and the candidate must agree to adhere to the MTA Code of Ethics. CMTs have a demonstrated expertise within the field of technical analysis.

This 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.

The College for Financial Planning awards this designation to investment practitioners who complete its nine-module CMFC® Professional Education Program jointly sponsored by the College and the Investment Company Institute (202-326-5800), pass an examination, commit to a code of ethics and agree to pursue continuing education.