The Investments and Wealth Institute is a professional association and an advanced education provider for financial advisors, wealth managers, and investment consultants. Three distinct certification programs highlight the organization’s extensive professional education offerings. These programs result in the Certified Investment Management Analyst, Certified Private Wealth Advisor, and Retirement Management Advisor designations.
The Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) program functions as the organization’s premier curriculum for professionals involved with technical portfolio development on the global stage. It is the ideal designation for investment consultants and wealth advisors, and financial research professionals.
Advisors who are prepared to take the next step in their career should strongly consider CIMA certification, as the designation comes with average annual earnings of nearly $400,000. The Investments and Wealth Institute has provided CIMA certification to upwards of 8,500 financial professionals worldwide.
On the other hand, the Certified Private Wealth or Certified Private Wealth Analyst (CPWA) Certification Program provides financial professionals with all the tools necessary to meet the needs of high net worth clients. The Investments and Wealth Institute collaborated with several Ivy League schools and leading business institutions during the development of the CPWA curriculum.
Today, CPWA courses encompass all aspects of high net worth financial planning, from the accumulation of wealth to the distribution of assets. On average, financial advisors who have achieved CPWA certification manage assets worth four times the assets controlled by non-CPWA advisors. The typical CPWA firm manages assets totaling $7 million.
Finally, the Retirement Management or Retirement Management Analyst (RMA) program has been designed to support financial professionals in providing clients with retirement income solutions. RMA certification is not limited to retirement specialists, as approximately 72 percent of investors believe their financial advisors should be capable of maximizing their retirement savings and income. Investors are particularly interested in working with advisors who can help establish clear, actionable financial objectives for retirement.
Throughout the Investments and Wealth Institute RMA program, individuals learn effective techniques for maintaining a consistent retirement savings plan. Courses are divided into several key categories, including retirement clients and technical design.
In addition to these certifications, the Investments and Wealth Institute is a strong proponent of continuing professional education for all members. To this end, the organization manages a depth of live and online resources, multiple publications, and supplementary learning materials. The organization’s self-paced online learning courses offer up to 20 premier continuing education (CE) hours and feature various interactive quizzes. “Best of” CE bundles allow members to explore content and subjects explored at the latest Investments and Wealth Institute professional meetings.
The convenience of self-paced learning is furthered by the fact that all certification programs and digital education offerings have been certified by the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board. The Investments and Wealth Institute submits CE information to the CFP Board on behalf of the membership, further streamlining the process.
Important 2023 conferences, meanwhile, include ACE Academy in San Diego and the Investments and Wealth Forum in New York City. To learn more about these events and other professional development opportunities with the Investments and Wealth Institute or to download the online course catalog, please visit the organization’s website at investmentsandwealth.org.
