CFP®

“CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification is the standard for financial planning. CFP® professionals meet rigorous education, training and ethical standards, and are committed to serving their clients’ best interests today to prepare them for a more secure tomorrow.”

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Certification Requirements:

1. Earn 4-Year Degree. A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is required.
2. Complete CFP® certification coursework.
3. Pass CFP® Exam.
4. Accumulate experience.
5. Meet Ethics Requirement.
6. Earn CFP® Certification.

CEPA

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) credential is for professional advisors who want to effectively engage more business owners. Through the process of Exit Planning (the Value Acceleration Methodology™), owners can build more valuable companies, have stronger personal financial plans, and align their personal goals. Earning CEPA doesn’t change your expertise, it enhances your ability to engage business owners and have value-added conversations around growth and exit.

Certification Requirements:

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) credential must be renewed every three (3) years via continuing education. To maintain your earned credential, you must complete (1) ongoing adherence to professional conduct requirements and (2) continual professional development activities or a combination of professional development activities and contributions to the profession; as outlined below:

• Meet Minimum Continuing Education Requirements: Renewing certification holders must have completed a minimum of 40 hours of exit planning related professional development. EPI accepts reciprocal CE hours from CPE, CFP, etc. EPI, however, does not accept ethics as CE.
  • 20 of the above hours need to be from the Exit Planning Institute in the form of programs, courses, and meetings. These include the Exit Planning Summit, EPI Academy, Chapter Events, Think Tanks, Webinars, etc.
• Maintain Professional/Ethics Standards: Renewing certification holders must agree in writing that they will adhere to the EPI Professional Standards and Code of Ethics, and they must re-attest that they have not been convicted of a felony related to the practice of exit planning.

In addition to the requirements stated above, in order to maintain the CEPA credential, an Annual Membership fee must be maintained. In the case the Annual Membership fee is not maintained, the CEPA credential will be de-activated and membership terminated. An applicant will be ineligible for renewal if their Annual Membership fee is past due.

CRPC™

Chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC) is a professional designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning to candidates who successfully complete its study program and pass a final examination.

A CRPC designation is seen as a boost for a financial planner’s job opportunities, professional reputation, and pay prospects.

Successful applicants earn the right to use the CRPC designation with their names for two years. Every two years, CRPC professionals must complete 16 hours of continuing education and pay a small fee to continue using the designation.

CRPC™, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, and the CRPC™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.

Requirements:

• Online self-study CRPC course and exam to be completed within 120 days of receiving program access; instructor-led option based on availability
• Online, closed-book final exam
• Continuing education requirements: 16 hours every two years

AIF®

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation is a professional certification that demonstrates an advisor or other person serving as an investment fiduciary has met certain requirements to earn and maintain the credential.
 

Certification Requirements:

• Must complete a web-based program or capstone program
• Final certification exam, proctored closed book
• Continuing education requirements: 6 hours per year

CFA®

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter is a designation given to those who have completed the CFA® Program and completed acceptable work experience requirements.

The CFA Program is a three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning. The CFA Program is typically completed by those with backgrounds in finance, accounting, economics, or business. CFA charterholders earn the right to use the CFA designation after program completion, application, and acceptance by CFA Institute. CFA charterholders are qualified to work in senior and executive positions in investment management, risk management, asset management, and more.

Certification Requirements

1. Pass CFA Exams: CFA Program is a three-part exam. Passing the exam for all three levels, along with the applicable practical skills modules, is a requirement to obtain the CFA charter.
2. Achieve Qualified Work Experience: Complete work experience requirements before, during, or after participation in CFA Program. Your experience must be directly involved with the investment decision-making process or producing a work product that informs or adds value to that process.
3. Submit Reference Letters: In support of your membership application, you will need to provide 2-3 professional references. References will be asked to comment on your work experience and professional character.
4. Apply to Become a Charterholder: Apply to become a regular member of CFA Institute. Once your application is approved and you have joined CFA Institute, you will have earned the CFA charter.

Fiduciary Description:

As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we are designated fiduciaries for all our clients. That means we are held to the highest possible standard to provide advice that is sound, accurate, and free from conflict, holding your best interests before our own. Our full suite of services encompasses a multitude of areas, some of which, in our capacity as a fiduciary to you and others are educational in nature, assisting you in your functions as the plan sponsor/trustee.

Fiduciary oversight begins with us partnering with you as an ERISA 3(21) co-fiduciary. In this capacity, we will assist in the selection and monitoring of the investment lineup to ensure that it meets the qualifications of ERISA Section 404(c) and complies with the Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”), a policy that we will advise on and provide ongoing maintenance. Fort Pitt will provide investment recommendations to the plan sponsor, who will decide on the selection, retention, addition, and removal of investment options. We will also provide you with advice on implementing a Qualified Default Investment Alternative (“QDIA”). You can further engage us as a 3(38) discretionary investment manager in the plan. As a 3(38), we assume responsibility for selecting, monitoring, and replacing plan investment options.