Institute carves out specialized path for those seeking prestigious accreditation
The Institute of Advanced Financial Planning (IAFP) has announced an accreditation program specifically geared toward CFA charterholders in pursuit of a prestigious designation.
The Registered Financial Planner (R.F.P.) designation, launched in 1987, is the longest-standing financial planning designation in Canada that is also recognized as the most stringent. Among its various differences from other designations, the R.F.P. requires every individual holding the designation to affirm each year that they are primarily focused on financial planning.
“When we explored potential opportunities with CFA Institute, we saw it as a natural fit given that both organizations have always prioritized ethical conduct and the client's best interests,” IAFP President Jacquie Skinner said in a statement. “We welcome these highly qualified individuals into our association of practicing financial planners and look forward to having them achieve their R.F.P. designation.”
“A significant number of CFA charterholders across Canada work in private wealth management, with financial planning as an important part of their service offering for clients,” Michael Thom, CFA, Managing Director, CFA Societies Canada, said in a statement. “We are pleased that the IAFP will be able to offer them a modified path to attaining the prestigious R.F.P. designation through recognition of our shared commitment to ethics and standards, and the significant coverage of financial planning concepts in the CFA Program curriculum.”
Through its new program, IAFP recognized certain education and skills obtained by CFA charterholders through their completion of the CFA program, and emphasized the importance of integrating and applying the knowledge in a Canadian context.
Among the requirements that remain in place for CFA charterholder candidates are the submission of a comprehensive financial plan for adjudication by the IAFP Plan Review Committee, as well as a technical exam focusing on application of technical knowledge at an advanced level.
“This program ensures that the financial planning skills of CFA charterholders will be tested at a very high level,” Skinner said.
