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Best investment advisor certifications
The best certifications for an investment advisor are Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Investment advisor certifications demonstrate your competency as an investment advisor to employers. However, not all investment advisor certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best investment advisor certifications. Obtaining an investment advisor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
15 best certifications for investment advisors
| Rank | Investment advisor certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) | LOMA |
| 2 | Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | CFA |
| 3 | Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | CFP |
| 4 | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA |
| 5 | Certified Planning Engineer (CPE) | AAPM |
| 6 | Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | ABTrainingCen... |
| 7 | Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) | IMCA |
| 8 | Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) | IBF |
| 9 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
| 10 | Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) | The American ... |
| 11 | Certified Sales Professional (CSP) | MRERF |
| 12 | Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) | AMA |
| 13 | Certified Real Estate Inspector (CRI) | ASHI |
| 14 | Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Level I (CAIA) | CAIA |
| 15 | International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA) | ACAT |
15 best investment advisor certifications
1. Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI)
The Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) Program is a three-course education program in Bahasa Indonesia specifically designed to meet the industry education requirements of professionals in Indonesia. Recognized by the Insurance Directorate, Ministry of Finance and the Life Assurance Association of Indonesia (AAJI), who also requested LOMA create the program, the CPLHI Program provides a comprehensive business education for life and health insurance professionals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
The CFA charter is recognized as the definitive standard by which to measure the competence, integrity, and dedication of serious investment professionals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
The CFP certification process, administered by CFP Board, identifies to the public that those individuals in the U.S.who have been authorized to use the CFP certification mark have met rigorous professional standards and have agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Public Accountant candidates must pass a national exam certifiying that they are eligible to be licensed in the state(s) of their choosing. Information about state licensing requirements is made available in the Licensed Occupation tool.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
5. Certified Planning Engineer (CPE)
Our AAPM Global Board of Standards issues the CPE Certified Planning Engineer - Board Certification to qualified applicants who have met our commission requirements of: Education, Training, Experience, Industry Knowledge, Ethics, and Continuing Education.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
The Certified Financial Planner designation covers investments, income taxation, insurance and financial planning, and retirement and estate planning.Individuals must complete the following required curriculum and pass the CFP exam to earn this designation.HS 300: Financial Planning HS 311: Fundamentals of Insurance Planning HS 321: Income Taxation HS 326: Planning for Retirement Needs HS 328: Investments HS 330: Fundamentals of Estate Planning
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
7. Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)
The CIMA offers an intense educational experience focusing on asset allocation, manager search and selection, investment policy and performance measurement.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
8. Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
CFS designation program at IBF is an intermediate-to-advanced course on mutual funds, ETS, REIT's, closed-end funds, and similar investments. You will learn about advanced topics in fund analysis and selection, asset allocation, and portfolio construction. In addition, you'll gain sophisticated investment strategies for risk management, taxes, and estate planning.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
9. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
10. Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
Since 1982, the Chartered Financial Consultant has remained the most extensive education available for professionals seeking a designation in financial planning. More than 41,000 individuals have attained this distinction, enabling them to effectively apply a comprehensive financial planning process to their clients' needs. The ChFC program includes all of the courses in our CFP® Certification Curriculum, and builds on that knowledge with advanced coverage of estate, retirement, and financial planning applications. ChFCs average 34 percent higher income than their peers without a designation*.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
11. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) program gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
12. Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)
Being a top marketer means continually enhancing your skills as well as highlighting your accomplishments. The American Marketing Association's Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) program gives you a tangible, convenient way to do both. You can earn the PCM designation by passing a comprehensive exam covering the key areas of marketing. Developed with input from hundreds of marketing experts, the PCM program meets strict national professional certification criteria and standards for excellence in marketing.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
13. Certified Real Estate Inspector (CRI)
The NAHI Certified Real Estate Inspector (CRI) program is a certification that is earned. The designation is given only to home inspectors who demonstrate their advanced knowledge of, and proficiency at, all aspects of a home inspection.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
14. Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Level I (CAIA)
By completing the program and becoming a member of the CAIA Association, you earn the right to use the CAIA designation - The Global Mark of Distinction in Alternative Investments. In addition, you obtain networking access to others in this specialized field, as well as ongoing educational opportunities and a variety of industry resource discounts.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
15. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)
ACAT seeks to ensure that all accredited individuals possess both the theoretical knowledge and the practical knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners. For that reason, candidates for accreditation must satisfy an experience requirement before becoming fully credentialed: three years of related work experience, up to two of which may be satisfied through college credit. Related work experience includes verifiable experience in accounting, financial services, or other field requiring a practical and theoretical knowledge of the subject matter covered on the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for the International Accredited Business Accountant. Those who pass the exam but who have not met the experience requirement may market themselves as having passed the ACAT Comprehensive Examination for International Accredited Business Accountant, but are not entitled to use the IABA designation.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
What is the best certification for an investment advisor?
The best investment advisor certification is Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI). The Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) is awarded by the LOMA.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this investment advisor certification:
- To become a certified Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for investment advisors?
The most in-demand investment advisor certification is Chartered Financial Analyst based on all active job postings. Having this investment advisor certification will give you access to more investment advisor jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an investment advisor career and salary?
The Certified Financial Planner certification will help you to secure an finance advisor position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An finance advisor's average salary is $79,329 whereas investment advisors make an average salary of $105,377.
The most common combination of investment advisor certifications include: Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Online courses for investment advisors to earn certifications
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3. The Advanced Real Estate Financial Modeling Bootcamp
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A comprehensive (advanced) introduction to global financial markets, investing and trading in all financial assets...
5. The Complete Financial Analyst Training & Investing Course
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6. The Real Estate Financial Modeling Bootcamp
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7. How to Read Financial Statements: Build Financial Literacy.
Read financial statements and speak the language of business without the drudgery of a traditional accounting course...
8. The Real Estate Financial Modeling Interview Exam Guide
How To Ace Your Real Estate Financial Modeling Interview Exam For Real Estate Investing Careers...
9. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets
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10. Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management with Python
Financial Analysis Done Right - Rigorously Analyse Investments & Manage Portfolios using Python for Finance / Investing...
11. Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management - Core Finance
Financial Analysis Done Right - Rigorously Analyse Investments & Manage Portfolios using Excel® & Google Sheets...
12. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...
13. Financial Statement Analysis
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14. Accounting basics, create financial statements easily
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15. Accounting & Financial Statement Analysis: Complete Training
Accounting & Financial Ratio Analysis made easy. Learn important accounting skills that will get your foot in the door!...
16. Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Stmt, Cash Flow
How To Quickly Read & Understand The Big 3 Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement...
17. Audit - Financial Statement
Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...
18. Real Estate Investing: Strategies, Tools & Investing Mindset
Real Estate Investing: Property & market analysis, action plans, tips, negotiation & real estate investing strategies...
19. Financial Statement Analysis - Ratio Analysis
Master the Art of Financial Statement Analysis: Unlocking Insights through Vertical, Horizontal, and Ratio Analysis...
20. Financial Planning Coaching Certification Holistic Coaching
Financial Planning Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Holistic Financial Planning Coaching...