Credentials Matter

The AEPG Difference: Unparalleled breadth and depth of experience, training, and knowledge.

Our expert staff offers an unparalleled breadth and depth of experience, training, and knowledge across a broad span of financial disciplines and skills. 

Our professionals hold the most respected credentials in their field of practice. Including, the internationally recognized CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional and CFA charterholder designations.

We invite you to learn more about our credentials – and the extensive training and expertise they represent – by reviewing the list below.

AAMS – Accredited Asset Management Specialist
AAMS professionals are uniquely qualified to identify opportunities in investments as well as insurance, tax, retirement, and estate planning and make recommendations based on all aspects of a client’s total financial picture. Requirements include passing a final exam and signing a code of ethics commitment and declaration.

AIF^® – Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®
The AIF® designation is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of fiduciary practices. AIF^® designees must complete training and annual continuing professional education requirements and attest to a code of ethics.

CEBS – Certified Employee Benefit Specialist
CEBS is the oldest and most respected professional designation in the employee benefits and compensation field. Requirements include completion of eight courses.

CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst
The CFA designation signifies a professional with an extensive economic and investing background and the ability to perform high-level analyses. CFAs often apply their rigorous training to roles as security analysts, portfolio managers, or investment advisors. Requirements include passing tests in economics, accounting, security analysis, and money management, administered by the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of the Association for Investment Management and Research; acquiring at least three years of investment-related experience; and meeting certain standards of professional conduct. 

CFP^® – CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional 
The CFP^® professional designation is awarded to individuals who have met the requirements for education, examination, and experience established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). To use the certification marks "CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional" and "CFP^® professional," CFP^® professionals must be committed to high standards of ethical conduct, must have a minimum of three years' experience in the financial planning process, and must complete the CFP Board’s biennial certification requirements.  

ChFC – Chartered Financial Consultant
The ChFC financial planning designation for the insurance industry is awarded by the American College to financial planners and others in the financial services industry with in-depth knowledge of the skills needed to perform comprehensive financial planning for their clients. ChFC designees must meet experience requirements; pass exams on tax, insurance, finance, and investing; and have at least three years of experience in the financial industry.

CLU – Chartered Life Underwriter
The CLU designation is granted by the American College to individuals who have completed advanced courses and exams in several topics including insurance, investments, taxation, employee benefits, estate planning, accounting, management, and economics.

CPA – Certified Public Accountant
The CPA designation is a license awarded to individuals in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional education and experience requirements. CPAs are not only required to pass a professional exam, but they must also meet continuing professional education (CPE) requirements on an annual basis to maintain their license. CPAs are certified to provide a broad range of financial advisory services for their clients including tax compliance and advisory, as well as estate and financial planning.

CRC – Certified Retirement Counselor
The CRC designation is awarded to retirement professionals who complete a comprehensive program consisting of retirement planning, design, management and operations, investment management, compliance, and ethics. CRC candidates must also pass four examinations, have a minimum of two years' professional experience, and provide two professional references.  

EA – Enrolled Actuary
As part of the 1974 Employees Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the EA designation was created to certify that the funding of employer-sponsored retirement plans is adequate to protect the benefits of participating employees. An EA is licensed by the Joint Board of the Department of Treasury and the Department of Labor to perform a variety of actuarial tasks that are required for pension plans. In order to become licensed, an actuary must pass a series of rigorous exams, complete several years of responsible experience in the pension actuarial field, and be recommended for the designation by other enrolled actuaries in good standing.

FSA – Fellow of the Society of Actuaries 
The FSA is the Society of Actuaries' highest designation, awarded to professionals who are recognized as experts in the modeling and management of financial risk. To attain the FSA designation, a professional must choose a specialty track (Finance/ERM, Investment, Individual Life & Annuities, Retirement Benefits, or Group & Health), complete e-Learning courses and modules and other training, and pass a series of examinations.

JD – Juris Doctor 
The JD degree is granted by law schools to those who complete a three-year course of study of the law. The doctor designation is reflective of the fact that this type and length of postgraduate academic work is the equivalent of a doctoral degree.

LUTCF – Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow
The LUTCF designation is jointly conferred by the American College and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). It is awarded to insurance professionals who have demonstrated extensive knowledge of insurance products and effective sales skills; completed 300 designation credits and one ethics course; and are NAIFA members in good standing during the conferment year.  

QKA – Qualified 401(k) Administrator
The QKA credential is awarded by the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) to retirement plan professionals who work primarily with 401(k) plans. QKA designees may have experience and training in a variety of financial disciplines, must have a minimum of two years' experience in retirement plan-related matters, and must complete an examination series.

RHU – Registered Health Underwriter
The RHU designation signifies that an individual working in the traditional health insurance marketplace or in the managed care industry has successfully completed a rigorous three-course program and is qualified to advise clients on their health insurance needs. RHU designees must also meet specified experience requirements, maintain ethical standards, and agree to comply with both The American College's Code of Ethics and Procedures and applicable continuing education requirements.

AEPG: Your Accountable Advocate™