Legal Disclaimer
Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC (SEIA) is an SEC-registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and no inference to the contrary should be made. Securities offered through Signature Estate Securities, LLC member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through SEIA, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067, (310) 712-2323. SEIA does not accept time sensitive, action-oriented messages or transaction orders, including orders to purchase or sell securities, via electronic communications, including email or text message. For detailed information about our services and fees, please read our Form ADV Part 2A (“Firm Brochure”) in the next section which follows, or you may obtain a copy by calling us at (800) 723-5115 or by visiting https://adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Electronic communications, including email, attachments, and text messages, received may contain information that is confidential and intended for use only by the addressee. If the reader is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent of the intended recipient responsible for delivering the message, the reader is hereby notified that any review, copying, distribution or use of any transmission is strictly prohibited. If the reader has received any transmission in error, please (i) notify the sender immediately by email, text, or telephone and (ii) destroy all copies of any messages.
The information contained within this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any types of securities. The information contained within this website was carefully compiled from sources SEIA believes to be reliable, but we cannot guarantee accuracy. We provide this information with the understanding that we are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or tax services. In particular, none of the examples should be considered advice tailored to the needs of any specific investor. We recommend that all investors seek out the services of competent professionals in any of the aforementioned areas. With respect to the description of any investment strategies, simulations, or investment recommendations, we cannot provide any assurances that they will perform as expected and as described in our materials. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Every investment program has the potential for loss as well as gain. There is a risk of loss from an investment in securities, including the risk of loss of principal. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will be profitable or suitable for a particular investor’s financial situation or risk tolerance. Asset allocation and portfolio diversification cannot assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.
There are different costs associated with different types of securities and investors may be responsible for paying fees separate and distinct from those paid to SEIA to invest in such securities. Importantly, the fees specific to what SEIA charges do not include certain fees and charges imposed by third parties such as custodial fees, mutual fund fees and expenses, and additional fees charged by wrap sponsors. SEIA’s clients’ assets can also be subject to asset-based transaction fees, brokerage fees and commissions, retirement plan administration fees (if applicable), deferred sales charges on mutual funds, 12b-1 fees, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on custodial accounts and securities transactions. For mutual fund and exchange traded fund (“ETFs”) investments, investors are charged internal management fees, distribution fees and other expenses, which are described in each fund’s prospectus.
This website has been independently produced by SEIA. SEIA is independent of, and has no affiliation with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. or any of its affiliates (“Schwab”) or Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC (“Fidelity”), members FINRA/SIPC. Neither Schwab, nor Fidelity, has created, supplied, licensed, endorsed, or otherwise sanctioned these materials nor have they independently verified any of the information in them. SEIA provides the client with investment advice, while Schwab and Fidelity maintain custody of your assets in a brokerage account and will affect transactions in your account upon our instruction. All custodial fees and any other charges, fees and commissions incurred in connection with transactions for a SEIA client’s account are generally paid out of the assets in their managed account and are in addition to the investment management fees charged by SEIA. Notably, neither SEIA nor any of its associated persons receive any portion of the third-party fees. Investors should consider all fees that may be charged to their account and also understand that lower fees for comparable services may be available from other investment advisory firms.
ADV Forms
Engagement Agreement
Third-party Rankings, Awards, and Accolades Disclaimer
Important information regarding Third-party Rankings, Awards, and Accolades
Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation. Generally, ratings, rankings, and recognition are based on information prepared and submitted by the advisor. The following aspects apply to Third-party Rankings, Awards, and Accolades received by our firm:
- Represents Third-party Rankings, Awards, and Accolades received by Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC or its affiliates for a specific time period and are not necessarily indicative of current status.
- Some recognitions were obtained by paying a fee.
- Based on data self-reported by the firm, not independently verified.
- Not representative of any one client’s experience.
- Reflect a small sample of candidates and are not be representative of the entire population of potential candidates.
- Not indicative of future performance.
- Third-party rankings, awards, or accolades are not to be construed as an endorsement.
For a list of the criteria used for the third-party rankings, awards, and accolades please see below:
Barron's Advisor Hall of Fame
The Barron’s Advisor Hall of Fame is a designation by Barron’s, an American weekly newspaper published by Dow Jones & Company, and was awarded in September 2019. A number of factors were considered for this ranking including but not limited to AUM, revenue, industry designations, industry tenure, and charitable and philanthropic activities.
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2024
The Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2024, awarded in September 2024, was based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron’s, an American weekly magazine/newspaper published by Dow Jones & Company, from June 2023-June 2024. RIA firms apply for this award. SEIA also paid post-award fees for licensing rights and to obtain article reprints. Barron’s verifies the data with the advisors’ firms and regulatory databases, and then applies its rankings formula to generate the ranking. The formula includes three major categories of calculations: 1) assets, 2) revenue, and 3) quality of practice. Qualitative factors such as the advisor’s experience; advanced degrees and industry designations; size, shape and diversity of their teams; charitable and philanthropic work; and compliance records are also considered. SEIA was ranked #21 out of 100.
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2023
The Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2023 was awarded in September 2023 and based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron’s, an American weekly magazine/newspaper published by Dow Jones & Company from June 2022-June 2023. RIA firms apply for this award. SEIA also paid post award fees for licensing rights and to obtain article reprints. This ranking is given by Barron’s (a Dow Jones company) and is based on assets, revenue, and quality of practice. Qualitative factors such as the advisor’s experience, advanced degrees and industry designations, size, shape and diversity of the team, charitable and philanthropic work, and compliance records are also considered. SEIA was ranked #25 out of 100.
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2022
The Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2022 was awarded in September 2022 and based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron’s, an American weekly magazine/newspaper published by Dow Jones & Company, from June 2021-June 2022. RIA firms apply for this award. This ranking is given by Barron’s (a Dow Jones company) and was based on assets, revenue, and quality of practice. Qualitative factors such as the advisor’s experience, advanced degrees and industry designations, size, shape and diversity of the team, charitable and philanthropic work, and compliance records are also considered. SEIA was ranked #34 out of 100.
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2021
The Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2021 was awarded in September 2021 and based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron’s, an American weekly magazine/newspaper published by Dow Jones & Company, from June 2020-June 2021. RIA firms apply for this award. SEIA also paid post award fees for licensing rights and to obtain article reprints. This ranking is given by Barron’s (a Dow Jones company) and was based on assets, revenue, and quality of practice. Qualitative factors such as the advisor’s experience, advanced degrees and industry designations, size, shape and diversity of the team, charitable and philanthropic work, and compliance records are also considered. SEIA was ranked #24 out of 100.
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2020
The Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms 2020 was awarded in September 2020 and based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron’s, an American weekly magazine/newspaper published by Dow Jones & Company, from June 2019-June 2020. RIA firms apply for this award. SEIA also paid post award fees for licensing rights and to obtain article reprints. This ranking is given by Barron’s (a Dow Jones company) and was based on assets, revenue, number of clients, number of employees, and quality of practice. Newly added metrics for 2020 recognition include technology spending, staff diversity, and succession planning. SEIA was ranked #26 out of 100.
Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers 2020
The Financial Times (FT) 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers 2020 was awarded in July 2020 and determined based is on an evaluation process conducted by Ignites Research, a division of Money-Media, Inc., on behalf of the FT, a daily newspaper with a focus on business and economic news. Neither SEIA nor its Financial Advisors paid a fee to Ignites Research or FT in exchange for the ranking. This ranking is an independent listing produced based on data gathered from RIA firms, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflected each practice’s performance in six primary areas: assets under management, asset growth, compliance record, years in existence, credentials, and online accessibility. Over 750 qualified firms applied for the award, 300 of which were selected (40%).
Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers 2020
The Financial Times (FT) 400 Top Financial Advisers 2020 was awarded in April 2020 and determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Ignites Research, a division of Money-Media, Inc., on behalf of the FT, a daily newspaper with a focus on business and economic news. Neither SEIA nor its Financial Advisors paid a fee to Ignites Research or FT in exchange for the ranking. This ranking is an independent listing produced based on data gathered from RIA firms, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. Criteria included six broad factors which calculate a numeric score for each adviser: assets under management, growth rate of assets under management, years of experience, compliance record, industry certifications, and online accessibility.
Financial Times 401 Top US Retirement Advisers 2020
The Financial Times (FT) 401 Top US Retirement Advisers 2020 was awarded in October 2020 and was given by the FT, a daily newspaper with a focus on business and economic news. Neither SEIA nor its Financial Advisors paid a fee to FT in exchange for the ranking. Applicants must manage a minimum of $75 MM in Defined Contribution (DC) plan assets and a minimum of 20 percent of their client’s assets in DC plans. Qualifying advisers completed a questionnaire about the nature of their practice and FT grades advisers on six broad factors relating to DC plan business: AUM, Growth, Specialization, Experience, industry certifications, and compliance record.
Forbes 2023 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
The Forbes 2023 ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, was awarded in April 2023 and based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research in partnership with Forbes during the period 6/30/21 – 6/30/22. SEIA paid post award fees for licensing rights. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. The ranking is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual, and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. The algorithm additionally weighs factors such as service models, compliance records and industry experience, and focuses on those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients. Advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data.
Forbes 2022 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
The Forbes 2022 ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, was awarded in April 2022 and based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research in partnership with Forbes during the period 6/30/20 – 6/30/21. SEIA paid post awards fees for licensing rights. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. The ranking is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual, and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data.
Forbes 2021 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
The Forbes 2021 ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, was awarded in February 2021 and based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research in partnership with Forbes during the period 6/30/19 – 6/30/20. SEIA paid post award fees for licensing rights. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. The ranking is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data.
2021 RIA Channel Top 100 Wealth Managers
The 2021 RIA Channel Top 100 Wealth Managers ranking by RIA Database (RIADatabase.com) was awarded in November 2021 and produced using quantitative and qualitative measures. SEIA did not pay a fee to RIA Channel in exchange for the ranking. Firms were ranked based on total assets under management as reported on their form ADV part I as of 9/30/21. RIA firms were included in the ranking based on several criteria that qualified them as wealth management firms. Included RIA firms predominantly serve individual clients including family offices, high net worth or non-high net worth individuals. Pure asset managers, hedge funds, institutional firms and broker/dealers were excluded from this ranking. Firms with regulatory or criminal ADV disclosures were also excluded. SEIA was ranked #31 out of 100.
2020 RIA Channel Top 100 Wealth Managers
The 2020 RIA Channel Top 100 Wealth Managers List showcases wealth management firms based on size, growth, and quality and was awarded in July 2020. SEIA did not pay a fee to RIA Channel in exchange for the ranking. RIA Channel ranked the Top 100 RIA firms of 2020 based on a proprietary set of criteria and data. The ranking is based on both size and growth in assets as of 6/30/20, as reported to the SEC. RIA Database (RIADatabase.com) was used for regulatory data, organic research, and advisor surveys. RIA Channel is a privately held company and does not charge fees to be included in their lists. SEIA was ranked #8 out of 100.
Washingtonian 2024 Top Financial Advisers
The Washingtonian 2024 Top Financial Advisers was awarded in January 2024. To determine the list of the area’s 375 top financial advisers, the Washingtonian distributed surveys to hundreds of financial professionals who work in the local financial industry, conducted their own research, and consulted industry experts and publications. The individuals listed are those who received the strongest recommendations. Neither SEIA nor its Financial Advisors paid a fee to be included.
California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosure
Last updated January 1, 2020
Applicability
This California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosure explains how Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC will collect, use, and disclose personal information relating to California residents covered by the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). This notice is provided pursuant to the CCPA.
Introduction
Under the CCPA, ‘Personal Information’ is information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked directly or indirectly with a specific California resident. The CCPA, however, does not apply to certain information, such as information subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”).
The specific Personal Information that we collect, use, and disclose relating to a California resident covered by the CCPA will vary based on our relationship or interaction with that individual. This Disclosure does not apply with respect to information that we collect about California residents as part of an application for financial services or when obtaining our financial services for personal, family, or household purposes. For more information about how we collect, disclose, and secure information relating to these customers, please refer to our Privacy Notice.
Keeping Personal Information secure is one of our most important priorities. Consistent with our obligations under applicable laws and regulations, we maintain physical, technical, electronic, procedural and organizational safeguards and security measures that are designed to protect personal data against accidental, unlawful, or unauthorized destruction, loss, alteration, disclosure, or access, whether it is processed by us or elsewhere.
Collection and Disclosure of Personal Information
In the past 12 months, we have collected, and disclosed to third parties for our business purposes, the following categories of Personal Information relating to California residents covered by this disclosure:
- Information we receive from you on account applications, which include identifiers, such as name, address, date of birth, occupation, financial goals, and government-issued identifier (e.g., Social Security number);
- Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others;
- Personal information, as defined in the California safeguards law, such as contact information and financial information;
- Characteristics of protected classifications under California or federal law, such as sex and marital status;
- Commercial information, such as transaction information and purchase history;
- Professional or employment-related information, such as work history and prior employer;
- Inferences drawn from any of the Personal Information listed above to create a profile about, for example, an individual’s preferences and characteristics.
The categories of sources from whom we collected this Personal Information are:
- Directly from a California resident or the individual’s representatives
- Service Providers, information from our affiliates and other third parties
- Public Record Sources (Federal, State or Local Government Sources)
- Website and Social Media
- Information from Client Directed Third Parties or Institutions representing a Client/Prospect
- Information from Corporate Clients about individuals associated with the Clients (e.g., an employee or board member)
The categories of third parties to whom we disclosed Personal Information for our business purposes described in this privacy disclosure are:
- Affiliates and Subsidiaries of Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC.
- To entities that perform services for us or function on our behalf, including financial service providers, custodians, broker dealers, investment companies, or insurance companies.
- To your attorney, trustee or anyone else where you have given written permission to share information.
- To our attorneys or auditors.
- To government entities or other third parties in response to subpoenas or other legal process as required by law or to comply with regulatory inquiries. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC does not sell customer lists or customer information to third parties.
- Vendors and Service Providers who provide services such as website hosting, data analysis, payment processing, order fulfillment, information technology, supervisory analysis, customer service, email delivery, auditing, marketing and marketing research activities.
- Partners and Third Parties who provide services such as payment, communication infrastructure, storage, legal expertise, tax expertise, notaries and auditors, who analyze the financial services and products to customers and other prospective buyers.
Use of Personal Information
In the past 12 months, we have used Personal Information relating to California residents to operate, manage, and maintain our business, to provide our products and services, and to accomplish our business purposes and objectives, including the following:
- Performing services, including maintaining or servicing accounts, providing customer service, processing or fulfilling orders and transactions, verifying customer information, processing payments, providing financing, providing advertising or marketing services, providing analytic services, or providing similar services.
- To protect your accounts from unauthorized access or identity theft. For example, detecting security incidents, protecting against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity.
- Undertaking activities to verify or maintain the quality or safety of a service controlled by us, and to improve, upgrade, or enhance the service controlled by the business.
- To establish or maintain an account with an unaffiliated third party, such as a clearing broker-dealer.
- Complying with laws and regulations and to comply with other legal process and law enforcement requirements which includes any internal policy based on or reflecting legal or regulatory guidance, codes or opinions.
Sale of Personal Information
In the past 12 months, we have not “sold” Personal Information, including Personal Information of minors under the age of 16. For purposes of this Disclosure, “sold” means the disclosure of Personal Information to a third-party for monetary or other valuable consideration.
Rights under the CCPA
If you are a California resident, you have the right to:
- Request we disclose to you free of charge the following information covering the 12 months preceding your request:
- the categories of Personal Information about you that we collected;
- the categories of sources from which the Personal Information was collected;
- the purpose for collecting Personal Information about you;
- the categories of third parties to whom we disclosed Personal Information about you and the categories of Personal Information that was disclosed (if applicable) and the purpose for disclosing the Personal Information about you; and
- the specific pieces of Personal Information we collected about you;
- Request we delete Personal Information we collected from you, unless the CCPA recognizes an exception; and
- Be free from unlawful discrimination for exercising your rights under the CCPA.
We will acknowledge receipt of your request. We will then seek to verify your identity. Requests for specific pieces of Personal Information will require additional information to verify your identity.
If you submit a request on behalf of another person, we may require proof of authorization and verification of identity directly from the person for whom you are submitting a request.
In some instances, we may not be able to honor your request. For example, we will not honor your request if we cannot verify your identity or if we cannot verify that you have the authority to make a request on behalf of another individual. Additionally, we will not honor your request where an exception applies, such as information covered by GLBA or where the disclosure of Personal Information would adversely affect the rights and freedoms of another consumer or where the Personal Information that we maintain about you is not subject to the CCPA’s access or deletion rights.
We will advise you if we are not able to honor your request. We will not provide social security numbers, driver’s license numbers or government issued identification numbers, financial account numbers, health care or medical identification numbers, account passwords or security questions and answers, or any specific pieces of information if the disclosure presents the possibility of unauthorized access that could result in identity theft or fraud or unreasonable risk to data or systems and network security.
We will work to process all verified requests within 45 days pursuant to the CCPA. If we need an extension for up to an additional 45 days in order to process your request, we will provide you with an explanation for the delay.
How to Exercise Your Rights
If you are a California resident, you may submit a request by:
- Completing the Personal Information Request Form and emailing the completed form to operations@seia.com
- Calling (800) 723-5115
Questions or Concerns
You may contact us with questions or concerns about this Disclosure and our practices by:
- Writing us at:
Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600
Los Angeles, CA 90067 - Emailing us at:
operations@seia.com
Changes to this California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosure
We may change or update this Disclosure periodically. Each update will be reflected via the “Last Updated” date.
Professional Designations
Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ (AAMS®)
AAMS® – Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ is issued by the College for Financial Planning.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the AAMS Course Info
- Pass the final certification exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 16 hours every two years
Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
AIF® – Accredited Investment Fiduciary® is issued by the Center for Fiduciary Studies.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the AIF training program
- Pass the final certification exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of six hours per year
Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA)
BFA – Behavioral Financial Advisor is issued by think2perform upon completion of the Behavioral Financial Advice program.
The program integrates traditional finance practices with psychology and neuroscience to improve emotional competency and decision-making behavior, ultimately improving the effective utilization of financial plans for both you and your clients.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the Behavioral Financial Advice program
- Pass the BFA designation exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 20 hours every two years
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®)
CAIA® – Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst is issued by the CAIA Association. A Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst is a respected designation attained by an investment professional who has successfully completed both levels of the CAIA exam.
The CAIA designation is meant for a financial professional who will be primarily in the alternative investment space, which may include but not limited to hedge funds and private equity.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree or the equivalent, and have more than one year of professional experience, or have four years of professional experience in the financial industry
- Successfully pass both the Level I and Level II exams
- Complete self-evaluation tool every three years
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®)
CDFA® – Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® is issued by Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts. Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have three years of professional experience and a bachelor’s degree or five years of relevant professional experience
- Pass four online, proctored, closed book certification exams
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 30 divorce-related hours every two years
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
CFA® – Chartered Financial Analyst® is issued by the CFA Institute. A Chartered Financial Analyst is a highly respected designation attained by an investment professional who has successfully completed all three parts of the CFA exam.
The CFA designation denotes that a person has a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills. The CFA charter is one of the most respected designations in finance and is widely considered to be the gold standard in the field of investment analysis.
CFA designees must meet the following requirements for regular membership:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or have equivalent education or work experience
- Complete and pass the CFA Program – a graduate-level self-study program culminating in three sequential six-hour exams
- Have at least four years of qualified work experience in the investment decision-making process
- Fulfill society requirements, which require two sponsor statements as part of each application
- Commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm, adherence to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
- Maintain regular member
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)
Certified Exit Planning Advisor is issued by the Exit Planning Institute.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Have five years of relevant industry experience.
- Pass the certification exam.
- Fulfill 40 hours continuing education every three years.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
CFP® – CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ is issued by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. CFP is a professional designation attained by a financial planner or advisor who has successfully completed the requirements set by the Certified Financial Planner Board.
The CFP designation denotes that a person is a competent, professional, and ethical financial planner. CFP professionals must adhere to a code of ethics, which also requires every applicant to pass a background check before obtaining his or her designation.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university
- Have at least three years of full-time personal financial planning experience
- Complete the CFP education program
- Pass the CFP certification exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 30 hours every two years
Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
ChFC® – Chartered Financial Consultant® is issued by the American College of Financial Services.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have three years of full-time business experience within the five years preceding the awarding of the designation
- Complete the eight required courses
- Pass the final certification exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 30 hours every two years
Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®)
C(k)P® – Certified 401(k) Professional designation is issued by The Retirement Advisor University in collaboration with UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrated competency and experience in the retirement field
- Complete education course work which includes classroom, online, and live online instructor led courses, as well as periodic assessments, an exam and a case study
- Obtain 12 hours of continuing education annually
- Agree to adhere to a code of conduct and ethics
- Have at least 10 defined contribution plans under management/advisory
- Have at least $30 million of assets under management/advisory
- Have at least three years of experience in the defined contribution industry
Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®)
CLU® – Chartered Life Underwriter® is issued by the American College of Financial Services.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have three years of full-time business experience within the five years preceding the awarding of the designation
- Complete four core and one elective courses
- Pass the final certification exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 30 hours every two years
Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor℠ (CMFC®)
CMFC® – Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor℠ is issued by the College for Financial Planning.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the self-study course
- Pass the final certification exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 16 hours every two years
Chartered Market Technician® (CMT®)
CMT® – Chartered Market Technician® is issued by the Market Technicians Association, Inc.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have three years of professional analytical or investment management experience
- Be a member of the Market Technicians Association
- Successfully complete all three levels of the CMT exam process
Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®)
CPWA® – Certified Private Wealth Advisor® is issued by the Investments & Wealth Institute® (IWI).
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or have a CIMA®, RMA®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC® certification, or a CPA license.
- Have five years of financial services industry experience.
- Pass an IWI background check.
- Complete a CPWA® education program (online or hybrid).
- Pass the four-hour Certification Examination.
- Sign an agreement to adhere to the IWI’s Code of Professional Conduct.
- Fulfill 40 hours continuing education every two years, including two ethics hours and one Tax & Regulations hour.
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®)
CRPC® – Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ is issued by the College for Financial Planning.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete online instructor-led or self-study courses
- Pass the online, timed final designation exam
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 16 hours every two years
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
CIMA® – Certified Investment Management Analyst® is issued by Investments & Wealth Institute®.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Three years of financial services experience
- A satisfactory record of ethical conduct, as determined by Investments & Wealth Institute’s Admissions Committee. Obtain a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education each calendar year
- Qualification Examination and Certification Examination
- Continuing education requirement of 40 hours every two years
Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®)
CWS® – Certified Wealth Strategist® is issued by the Cannon Financial Institute.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have three years of experience in the financial services industry and a four-year degree from an accredited college or university, or five years of industry experience
- Two instructor-led training sessions
- Self-directed study on numerous wealth management issues
- Capstone project
- Ten Mastery Exams, one for each directed study module
- Continuing education requirement of 30 hours every two years
Enrolled Agent (EA)
EA – Enrolled Agent status is issued by the Internal Revenue Service and is the highest credential the IRS awards. Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Pass a background check to ensure the applicant has not engaged in any conduct that would justify the suspension of an enrolled agent from practice before the IRS
- Pass a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns or have accepted IRS experience
- Fulfill over a three-year enrollment period, the continuing education requirements of 72 hours (with a minimum of 16 hours each year) and six hours of ethics training
SEIA is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or tax services. We recommend that all investors seek out the services of competent professionals in any of the aforementioned areas.
Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF®)
LUTCF® – Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow is issued by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).
Candidates who earn their LUTCF gain fundamental, yet critical prospecting, selling, and practice-management skills, along with a thorough working knowledge of life and multi-line products and services.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete LUTCF education program
- Pass LUTCF exam
- Complete three continuing education credits (hours) in the subject area of Ethics within the three-year authorization period and complete a NAIFA-provided self-study designation renewal course
Master Planner Advanced Studies℠ (MPAS®)
MPAS® – Master Planner Advanced Studies℠ is issued by the College for Financial Planning.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Hold the Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning from the College of Financial Planning (30 semester credits)
- Exam type varies by graduate degree program
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 40 hours every two years
Master of Science in Financial Planning (MS)
MS – Master of Science in Financial Planning is a graduate degree for the financial services industry offered by many institutions across the country.
Master of Science in Business Administration - Financial & Tax Planning (MSBA)
MSBA – Master of Science in Business Administration – Financial & Tax Planning is a graduate degree focusing on data analysis, predictive analytics, and decision-making in business.
Nonqualified Plan Advisor (NQPA™)
NQPA™ – Nonqualified Plan Advisor is issued by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), an affiliate organization of the American Retirement Association.
The Advisors who earn their NQPA™ demonstrate the expertise required to advise employers on nonqualified plan design and plan financing.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Complete NAPA NQPA™ education program
- Pass NQPA™ exam
- Complete 10-hours of Continuing Education annually
Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®)
RICP® – Retirement Income Certified Professional® is issued by The American College of Financial Services.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have three years of professional experience
- Complete three required courses
- Pass the closed book, proctored final course exam for each course
- Fulfill the continuing education requirement of 30 hours every two years