CFP® - Certified Financial Planner®
What it is:
The CFP® designation is a formal recognition of expertise in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement, certified by the CFP® Board of Standards, Inc.
Why it’s important:
The CFP® designation is widely considered the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have undergone more than 250 hours of extensive training and 6,000 hours of experience. The CFP® designation is one of the toughest to earn in this industry.
ChFC® - Chartered Financial Consultant®
What it is:
A ChFC® indicates successful completion of nine financial courses and practical experience. Topics covered include estate planning and employee benefits planning.
Why it’s important:
A Chartered Financial Consultant® has not only completed educational courses, but also possesses practical experience in key topics such as estate planning, employee benefits planning, asset protection planning, income tax planning, and more. This enables us to provide reliable financial advice to clients from a comprehensive approach.
RICP® - Retirement Income Certified Professional®
What it is:
The RICP® designation is a formal recognition of specialized expertise in retirement income planning.
Why it’s important:
An RICP® has the deep, specialized expertise to help retirees and near-retirees use the assets they have accumulated for retirement sustainably. They have extensive knowledge on utilizing social security, creating financial action plans for long-term care and health-care needs, securing housing and planning for income taxes, legacies, and distributions, among other retirement essentials. Earning this designation requires 3 years of experience, over 180 hours of study, and on average takes one year to complete. Only 7.5% of financial advisors have earned the RICP® designation.
CLU® - Chartered Life Underwriter®
What it is:
The CLU® designation indicates specialization and in-depth knowledge in life insurance and estate planning.
Why it’s important:
Our clients face a broad range of risks and financial situations. The CLU® designation provides us with expertise in practical, legal and ethical aspects of life insurance and estate planning to approach our clients’ unique situations.
CASL® - Chartered Advisor for Senior Living®
What it is:
CASL® is one of the most rigorous designations to earn in the industry and requires 300 hours of study, five college-level courses, and 3-5 years of experience in addition to continuing education exams every two years.
Why it’s important:
Having a Chartered Advisor for Senior Living® designation shows a commitment to helping aging clients achieve financial security from middle age through retirement including the management, preservation, and transfer of wealth.
QPFC - Qualified Plan Financial Consultant
What it is:
The NAPA QPFC designation demonstrates advanced expertise in retirement plan management and fiduciary responsibilities. It requires comprehensive training on plan design, compliance, investment selection, and ongoing participant education to help ensure effective and compliant retirement planning solutions.
Why it’s important:
Earning the QPFC designation signifies a deep commitment to supporting plan fiduciaries in managing their roles and responsibilities effectively. Advisors with this credential are equipped to guide business owners and plan sponsors in creating and maintaining retirement plans that meet both regulatory standards and participants' long-term financial goals.
Best In State Wealth Management Teams
What it is:
The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams recognition is awarded to top advisory teams in the financial services industry. Compiled annually by Forbes and SHOOK Research, this prestigious list highlights teams that demonstrate excellence in comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and wealth preservation strategies.
Why it’s important:
Being named a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team. We believe financial planning is about more than just numbers—it’s about building trust and ensuring every decision aligns with what matters most. This recognition reflects our dedication to standing by our clients every step of the way.
Best In State Wealth Advisor
What it is:
The Forbes Best In State Wealth Advisors recognition is awarded to elite professionals in the financial services industry. This annual list, compiled by Forbes and SHOOK Research, highlights the top 8,507 Wealth Management Advisors across the country who excel in providing comprehensive investment, retirement, and estate planning services.
Why it’s important:
Being named as a Forbes Best In State Wealth Advisor validates our dedication to providing our clients with the highest standard of service. This recognition demonstrates that we consistently go the extra mile to help our clients achieve their financial goals.
Best-In-State Top Financial Security Professional
What it is:
The Forbes Best-In-State Top Financial Security Professionals recognition is awarded to elite professionals in the financial services industry. This annual list, compiled by Forbes and SHOOK Research, highlights the top 1,445 financial security experts across the country who excel in providing comprehensive investment, retirement, and estate planning services.
Why it’s important:
Being named as a Forbes Top Financial Security Professional validates our dedication to providing our clients with the highest standard of service every step of the way. This recognition reaffirms our role as trusted advisors and demonstrates that we go the extra mile.
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