Professional Designations

You can take your practice to the next level of education, sales and compliance. Whether you specialize in annuities, estate planning, income taxes, mutual funds or retirement income, IBF can help you earn designations that will enhance your credibility and professionalism. We have been the leader in educating the financial services industry for more than 20 years.

All of our certification programs were developed by seasoned practitioners with strong academic backgrounds. Each of our five designations emphasizes the practical but also includes the theoretical. Materials are updated on a quarterly basis to reflect new knowledge affecting the industry.

IBF designation programs are broken down into six modules that include three non-cumulative exams and one written case study. Modules are designed to be completed in approximately 10 hours and may be completed as your schedule allows. Exam preparation materials are included.

Each exam covers two modules. The exams are administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) at a Prometric Center. More than one exam can be taken at a time; each exam is 75 multiple-choice questions. In addition to the three exams, students must complete a case study. The case study is based on a one-page fact pattern. The student’s response must be less than two pages in length.

Now you, too, can become a Certified Fund Specialist (CFS). When you study using IBF materials, you will see how modern portfolio theory (MPT) and post MPT can be used to guide your financial decisions. In addition, you will learn the mutual fund selection process and portfolio structure. After becoming a certified fund specialist, you can create an efficient portfolio using close-end, exchange-traded and open-end funds as well as REITs. More importantly, you will be able to convey this information to your clients in an easy-to-understand manner.

We also offer the Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS) designation. This annuity designation, the oldest in the insurance industry, tackles fixed-rate and variable products, as well as titling options. Selection criteria, management analysis, estate considerations, subaccount management and income vehicles are also included. Students who earn the Certified Annuity Specialist designation will find that their knowledge of traditional fixed-rate, equity-indexed and variable annuities differentiates them from their colleagues and enhances their reputations as financial professionals.

Advisors and brokers can quickly gain expertise in the world of estate planning when they earn the Board Certified in Estate Planning (BCE) designation. IBF’s program was built to have real-world application. Topics covered include deciphering the will, trust creation and termination, the probate process combination trusts, donative intent, estate and gift taxes, beneficiaries and other topical subjects. When you become Board Certified in Estate Planning, you and your clients will benefit from the range of opportunities available in estate and postmortem planning.

In addition to mutual fund, annuity, and estate planning education, IBF also offers the Retirement Income Specialist (RIS) and Certified Tax Specialist (CTS) designations, as well as a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) graduate degree. For more information about any of these programs, please click on the appropriate link to the left.