Following is a partial list of professional certifications in financial services, with an overview of the educational and continuing requirements for each; see and :Category:Professional certification in finance for all articles.

As the field of finance has increased in complexity in recent years, the number of available designations has grown, and, correspondingly, some will have more recognition than others.Ernest N. Biktimirov (2012). Global Alphabet Soup: Internationally Recognized Professional Designations in Finance, Journal of Financial Education 38 (3/4), Fall/Winter 2012, 18-32The Rise of the Chief Risk Officer, Institutional Investor (March 2017)..

In the US, many state securities and insurance regulators do not allow financial professionals to use a designation — in particular a "senior" designation — unless it has been accredited by either the American National Standards Institute or the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.accredited-designations, FINRA.

Investments

Certified Futures and Options Analyst The Certified Futures and Options Analyst (CFOA) is a professional certification focused specifically on financial derivatives, futures and options trading, pricing models, and risk management. It is issued by the International Council for Derivative Trading (ICFDT). Candidates must pass a single multiple-choice examination covering derivatives theory, strategies and risk control, of 100 questions completed in 80 minutes. The curriculum covers derivatives market history, options structure and pricing, volatility analysis, options trading strategies, futures contracts, futures trading strategies, margin and settlement, hedging, and risk management. The certification is awarded for life with no ongoing membership or renewal fees.

In February 2026, ICFDT made a formal submission to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission in response to a request for comment on derivatives clearing, citing the CFOA in its recommendations concerning professional competency standards.

Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement

The Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) is a professional accreditation in the field of investment performance analysis. It includes investment performance measurement and attribution. It is offered by the CIPM Association, a body associated with the CFA Institute.

Certified International Investment Analyst

Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA) is an internationally recognised advanced professional qualification for individuals working in the finance and investment industry. The CIIA maintains standards both at the national and international levels: ACIIA tests candidates at the local level (at their home country), and, having cleared those country specific exams, at the common international level. The topics are largely similar to the CFA; see below.

Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst

The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation is a financial certification for investment professionals conferred by the CAIA Association. The curriculum is designed to provide finance professionals with a broad base of knowledge in alternative investments. Candidates must complete two examinations in succession and pay an ongoing certification fee to retain rights to use the financial designation.

Chartered Financial Analyst

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a post-graduate professional qualification offered internationally by the American-based CFA Institute. The program covers a considerably wide range of topics relating to advanced investment management and security analysis - thus economics, financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, alternative investments and portfolio management - and provides a generalist knowledge of other areas of finance. The program consists of three examinations in succession, each about four and a half hours long. To attain the Charter, candidates require three years work experience; thereafter they must adhere to a code of ethics, and pay an ongoing certification fee to retain rights to use the designation.

Chartered Financial Intelligence Architect The Chartered Financial Intelligence Architect (CFIA) is a professional designation issued by the International Council for Derivative Trading (ICFDT), focused on the application, governance and oversight of artificial intelligence in investment management. The qualification requires candidates to pass a 200-question proctored examination and complete 20 hours of continuing professional development annually.

Chartered Wealth Manager For retail focused professionals, CISI - the UK based Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment - offers the Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification (CWM),Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification comprising three sequential exams in financial markets, portfolio construction, and then applied wealth management. With further experience requirements met, the Chartered Wealth Manager title may be used additional to other CISI membership designations.

CISI Diploma The CISI Diploma in Capital Markets, also offered by CISI, is a leading qualificationCISI Qualifications, insidecareers.co.uk for practitioners working in wholesale securities markets. It comprises sequential modules in (i) financial securities, (ii) financial markets, and then (iii) a role specific selection from fixed income, derivatives, or fund management. The three exams typically take between 18 months and two years to complete. Candidates become full Members and may use the post-nominal "MCSI". It was previously known as the "SII Diploma".

Development Finance Certified Professional A Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) is a specialist in development finance theory and practice that has been professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Development Finance;globalcidef.com the professional association which engages with academic institutions, development finance institutions, and support agencies to support and maintain ethical conduct and professionalism in the development finance discipline globally. It is the highest professional qualification for development finance practitioners.

Financial planning Accredited Investment Fiduciary The Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) certification, FINRA listing Coryanne Hicks (2021). What Is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary – and How to Become One, US News awarded by fI360, site is a financial advisory designation relevant to private wealth, retirement, and foundations / endowment funds, emphasizing the inherent fiduciary roles and responsibilities. It is awarded to candidates with approved education and industry experience (8 years if no degree), following completion of training and a two hour examination. Ongoing requirements include adherence to an Ethics Code and continuing education.

Certified Financial Planner

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is a certification mark for financial planners conferred by the CFP Board of Standards. To receive authorization to use the designation, the candidate must meet education, examination, experience and ethics requirements, and pay an ongoing certification fee. It is offered in the United States, and in 25 other countries through affiliated organizations.

Chartered Financial Consultant

The Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) is the "advanced financial planning" designation awarded by The American College of Financial Services. To secure the designation, applicants must have three years of full-time business experience within the preceding five years and must complete nine college-level courses; the award is also contingent on adherence to a set of ethical guidelines. The designation exempts one from sitting the Series 65 examination.

Chartered Financial Divorce Analyst Chartered Financial Divorce Analyst (CFDA) refers to the Canadian designation for specialists facilitating objective financial analysis for families & individuals going through divorce, marital separation or legal separation and life transitions. The regulating body is the Academy of Financial Divorce Specialists (AFDS). Members are required to have an existing financial designation and be in good standing to be eligible for the course. Once passing, members must maintain credentials and ongoing annual education, and application/work in field.

Chartered Financial Planner

The Chartered Financial Planner is a designation awarded by the UK based Chartered Insurance Institute. To attain "Chartered status" the candidate must sit 14 exams, and have five years relevant experience. Thereafter continued learning is required annually.

Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner The Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner (FChFP) designationFellow Chartered Financial Practitioner, apfinsa.org is a financial planning designation issued by the Asia Pacific Financial Services Association (APFinSA). Asia Pacific Financial Services Association, apfinsa.org Candidates must have 2 years of full-time experience, and then pass 6 exams. The designation was developed by the National Association of Malaysian Life Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAMLIFA)National Association of Malaysian Life Insurance and Financial Advisors, namlifa.org.my in 1996 and later on adopted by APFinSA (of which NAMLIFA is a member) in 2001 as the flagship designation for its 11 member associations.

Registered Financial Planner Registered Financial Planner (RFP) refers to one of several separate designations in financial planning; there is currently no connection between these. In Canada, the RFP designation is conferred by the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners.Institute of Advanced Financial Planners, iafp.ca To become an RFP in Canada, candidates must pass exams, submit a sample comprehensive financial plan and meet education and experience requirements; IQPF awards the Financial Planner (F.Pl.) diploma in Quebec. In Malaysia, the Registered Financial Planner (RFP) designation is conferred by the Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC). It is one of the recognised qualification by the Securities Commission and Bank Negara Malaysia for those wishing to apply for a financial planner or financial adviser licence. See Financial Planners in Malaysia. In the United States, the RFP designation is offered by the Registered Financial Planners Institute.Registered Financial Planners Institute, rfpi.comRegistered Financial Planner, finra.org The designation requires 2 years relevant experience, and 120 hours of course-based study. In Hong Kong, the Society of Registered Financial PlannersSociety of Registered Financial Planners, hkrfp.org offers the HKRFP, valid in Hong Kong and China.

Technical analysis

Certified Financial Technician The Certified Financial Technician (CFTe)Certified Financial Technician, ifta.org is a designation in technical analysis offered by the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA).ifta.org It comprises two sequential examinations, usually completed over two years; to register candidates require a bachelor's degree and three years' relevant experience. Once qualified, a CFTe may pursue the MFTA (Master of Financial Technical Analysis),Master of Financial Technical Analysis, ifta.org requiring submission of a research thesis. Members are in 22 countries.

Chartered Market Technician

The Chartered Market Technician (CMT) is a designation in technical analysis offered by the CMT Association. The program comprises three examination levels, certifying that the individual is competent in the use of technical analysis, and knowledgeable re the underlying theory. To earn the designation, candidates must hold a degree, and have three years relevant experience.

Diploma in Technical Analysis