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Glossary

Designations

Below you will find descriptions for the most common designations for Financial Professionals. Please reach out to us at (717) 791-3300 if you have any questions.

Click Here to view a full list of designations on the FINRA.org website.
ChFC® - Chartered Financial Consultant
The ChFC designation is issued through the American College.

To learn more about what a financial professional with a ChFC® designation can do for you, click the link below. This link will take you to an outside website. ‍
‍Learn more about the ChFC‍‍
RICP® - Retirement Income Certified Professional
"The term Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) refers to a financial professional who specializes in retirement income planning." [2]
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To learn more about what a financial professional with an RICP® designation can do for you, click the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
Learn more about the RICP®
CFP® - Certified Financial Planner
"A financial [advisor] with a CFP® designation [is well-versed] in fundamental financial issues and can guide you through the most common financial challenges." [1]‍
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To learn more about what a financial advisor with a CFP® designation can do for you, click the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
‍Learn more about the CFP®

CLU® - Chartered Life Underwriter
"A financial professional with the CLU® designation possesses knowledge in finding life insurance solutions [appropriate] for your unique needs." [1]

To learn more about what a financial professional with a CLU® designation can do for you, click the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
Learn more about the CLU®
CLTC® - Certification for Long Term Care
"CLTC® Certification for Long-Term Care educates professionals in the fields of insurance, financial services, law and accounting about the [potentially] severe consequences a need for care over an extended period of years [might] have, not on their client, but on the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of those the client loves." [3]

To learn more about what a financial professional with a CLTC® designation can do for you, click the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
Learn more about the CLTC®
WMCP® - Wealth Management Certified Professional
"A financial advisor with the WMCP® designation possesses knowledge in goal-based investment strategies [and wealth management solutions] designed to [help] you to live your best life." [1]
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To learn more about what a financial advisor with a WMCP® designation can do for you, click the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
Learn more about the WMCP®
CDFA - Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
"The role of the CDFA is to assist the client and his/her lawyer to understand how the financial decisions he/she makes today will impact the client’s financial future." [4]

Learn more about the CDFA
AWMA - Accredited Wealth Management Advisor
An Accredited Wealth Management Advisor offers wealth management solutions.

To learn more about what a financial advisor with an AWMA designation can do for you, click on the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
‍Learn more about the AWMA 
AIF® - Accredited Investment Fiduciary
"The purpose of the AIF® Designation is to assure that those responsible for advising on investor assets have a fundamental understanding of the principles of fiduciary duty, the standards of conduct for acting as a fiduciary, and operates under a fiduciary standard of care." [6]

To learn more about what a financial advisor with an AIF® designation can do for you, click on the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
Learn more about the AIF®
ChFEBC℠ - Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant
"ChFEBCs are financial professionals that are knowledgeable of changes to federal benefits and associated programs. They also have extensive knowledge about FERS, CSRS, and special provisions." [7]

To learn more about what a financial professional with an ChFEBC designation can do for you, click on the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
Learn more about the ChFEBC℠
CEBS - Certified Employee Benefits Specialist
"The Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation is a designation that is typically earned by those that negotiate and administer employee benefits packages. This is a symbol of professional knowledge and integrity in the space. Obtaining a CEBS designation typically takes years of work and study as the process requires both testing and educational requirements." [8]

‍To learn more about what a financial advisor with a CEBS designation can do for you, click on the link below. This link will take you to an outside website.
Learn more about the CEBS
Article Sources
1. “Where to Start | American: Your Advisor Guide.” n.d. Www.youradvisorguide.com. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.youradvisorguide.com/where-start.
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2. “Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) Definition.” n.d. Investopedia. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/retirement-income-certified-professional-ricp.asp.

3. Care, Certification for Long-Term. n.d. “Certification for Long-Term Care.” Certification for Long-Term Care. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.ltc-cltc.com/.
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4. “What Is a CDFA Professional?” n.d. Institutedfa.com. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://institutedfa.com/learning-center/what-cdfa-professional/.
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5. “Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA).” 2019. SmartAsset. November 14, 2019. https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/accredited-wealth-management-advisor-awma.

6. “AIF® Designation | Fi360.” n.d. Www.fi360.com. Accessed December 2, 2022. https://www.fi360.com/what-we-do/learning-development/aif-training/aif-designation/.

7. “What Is a Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant (ChFEBC)?” 2022. SmartAsset. February 28, 2022. https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/chartered-federal-employee-benefits-consultant-chfebc#:~:text=A%20Chartered%20Federal%20Employee%20Benefits%20Consultant%20(ChFEBC)%20is%20a%20designation.‌

8. “What Is a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)?” 2022. SmartAsset. October 1, 2022. https://smartasset.com/retirement/cebs.‌

9. "Why Choose a CFP® Professional"

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