Terminology

CPA – Certified Public Accountant:
Title for qualified accountants in the United States who have met education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA, and who have passed the Uniform CPA exam. A CPA can operate in virtually any area of finance including: corporate finance, estate planning, financial analysis, financial accounting, income tax, etc.

CFP^® – Certified Financial Planner:
Professional designation conferred by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards in the United States on those who have met education, experience and ethical requirements. Knowledge of nearly 100 topics on financial planning is required for the exam, which focuses on integrating insurance, investments, state and federal income tax law, estate planning and retirement planning into a comprehensive plan.

CTFA – Certified Trust and Financial Advisor:
Certification for financial services professionals who have attained comprehensive training in fiduciary and trust activities, financial planning, tax law and planning, investment management and ethics. This certification is granted by the American Bankers Association (ABA) to those who have professional experience in wealth management and who have met certain education requirements.

CPC – Certified Pension Consultant:
Designation conferred by American Society of Professional Pension Actuaries (ASPPA) to benefits professionals with at least three years of pension consulting experience and who have demonstrated competence in various aspects of pension and related employee benefits consulting. CPCs work alongside employers to formulate, implement, administer and maintain qualified retirement plans.

QPA – Qualified Pension Administrator:
Credential created by the ASPPA to recognize professionals qualified to perform the technical and administrative functions of qualified plan administration. QPAs assist employers, actuaries and consultants in performing functions such as determination of eligibility benefits, computation of benefits, plan recordkeeping, trust accounting and disclosure and compliance requirements.

CSOP – Certified Securities Operations Professional:
Certification designed to recognize professionals working in wealth management and trust organizations who are competent in securities operations. This designation is granted by the American Bankers Association to those who have met experience and education requirements and who have proven knowledge in securities, regulation and compliance, audit, controls and reconciliation.

CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst:
Designation administered by the CFA Institute and known as the “gold standard” amongst financial industry professionals. CFA professionals have demonstrated competence in the fields of investment management and financial analysis of stocks, bonds and derivative assets with a focus on portfolio management and financial analysis.