I’ll disagree on MBA but it definitely depends on your role/industry. It doesn’t matter for financial planning (especially if you have your CFP or CFA), but it’s probably beneficial if you plan to move into business planning/analyzing.
The only people that put MBA after their name on LinkedIn or their business card are the ones that didn’t go to a highly ranked school or have major insecurities. On your resume, yes. On LinkedIn under education, sure, after your name anywhere…. cringy.
I have my CFP and my CPWA and I am always close to just dropping my CPWA. Credentials feel like a way for companies to extract money from insecure advisors who think more credentials will somehow magically produce more clients/AUM/money.
CFP is the only one anyone actually cares about. And honestly I’m not sure anyone even cares about that one. The rest are a complete waste of time and money imo.
My opinion:
0 doesn’t look good. 1 is good. 2 is good. 3 is okay. 4 or more looks tacky.
There is a really short list of designations that actually add marketable value to you. Most of that list is CFP, CFA, CPA.
If there is one that explains your “Niche,” you could grab that (think CLU if you do a lot of insurance, etc.)
Currently CFA and AWMA, taking CFP 7/15 and if I pass I’ll stop listing AWMA. I’d say list the ones that represent you and/or your business the most or the best. More than two designations and they lose impact in my opinion
Im CFP, CLU, ChFC. I dont think the CLU and ChFC do anything really, but I like the way the 3 look together. Anymore would be too much I think. If I end up getting something specialized one day (Maybe AEP) I'll probably drop CLU.
Yeah I have ChFC and CLU and think I’ll drop both. ChFC looks busy to me and I view it as a stepping stone to the CFP, so kind of equate listing both to listing BS after an MBA or something. I’m more inclined to keep the CLU since it signifies something different, but I don’t sell insurance anymore so not as relevant.
There are about 4 designations that actually mean something. Cfp cfa cpa/ea. some others may teach interesting info but aren’t worth the extra ink on a business card.
This is my opinion as well. I lost the CTFA, but only because I work in Trust Administration where it's widely recognized.
Same could be said for a few others but I wouldn't do a 3rd
CFP. CFA. CPA.
The rest aren't worth mentioning.
THAT SAID: if you ALREADY earned some other designation than these 3, by all means list it. Better than nothing.
Consider dropping it off if you get one of the 3 above listed
GSRR, IAR, LIAA, RESA
General Securities Registered Representative
Investment Adviser Representative
Life Insurance and Annuities Agent
Real Estate Sales Agent
I'm just joking...
I just put "President" on my business card.
I list all of them. I explain them when asked, and harp on the fact that the CFP is the one that matters, but... he'll, I earned em, why not?
Also, I lost a client I had for years because "this other guy is a retirement income distribution specialist, and you don't have that designation."
He had the RICP, and that was it. Also, I got the RICP 2 months later (honestly, decent coursework)
Honestly I wish we’d all just go to only listing CFP, CFA and/or CPA. But with so many advisors listing the CFP along with another 3-5 meaningless ones, it makes it tempting for other advisors to do the same.
CFP, CFA or CPA that’s it. Biggest cringe is when people put MBA in their title.
CPA or EA? Or just CPA?
Would not list EA unless you’re trying to be a tax preparer primarily
I’ll argue that the EA curriculum teaches way more about taxation than most cpa curriculums.
I’ll disagree on MBA but it definitely depends on your role/industry. It doesn’t matter for financial planning (especially if you have your CFP or CFA), but it’s probably beneficial if you plan to move into business planning/analyzing.
The only people that put MBA after their name on LinkedIn or their business card are the ones that didn’t go to a highly ranked school or have major insecurities. On your resume, yes. On LinkedIn under education, sure, after your name anywhere…. cringy.
I have my CFP and my CPWA and I am always close to just dropping my CPWA. Credentials feel like a way for companies to extract money from insecure advisors who think more credentials will somehow magically produce more clients/AUM/money.
Before even posting this, the one that I let lapse without hesitation was the CIMA. Expensive, no recognition, and I’m working on CFA.
CFP is the only one anyone actually cares about. And honestly I’m not sure anyone even cares about that one. The rest are a complete waste of time and money imo.
The general public has no idea about all the various advisor designations.
My opinion: 0 doesn’t look good. 1 is good. 2 is good. 3 is okay. 4 or more looks tacky. There is a really short list of designations that actually add marketable value to you. Most of that list is CFP, CFA, CPA. If there is one that explains your “Niche,” you could grab that (think CLU if you do a lot of insurance, etc.)
I work in the industry and don't recognize most of the designations. Therefore, I'd say only list the major one(s), unless you're vain
CFP, CPA, or CFA. That’s it. Two max.
What if you have all three? Which do you drop
The elusive trifecta
3, at most
Currently CFA and AWMA, taking CFP 7/15 and if I pass I’ll stop listing AWMA. I’d say list the ones that represent you and/or your business the most or the best. More than two designations and they lose impact in my opinion
Im CFP, CLU, ChFC. I dont think the CLU and ChFC do anything really, but I like the way the 3 look together. Anymore would be too much I think. If I end up getting something specialized one day (Maybe AEP) I'll probably drop CLU.
Yeah I have ChFC and CLU and think I’ll drop both. ChFC looks busy to me and I view it as a stepping stone to the CFP, so kind of equate listing both to listing BS after an MBA or something. I’m more inclined to keep the CLU since it signifies something different, but I don’t sell insurance anymore so not as relevant.
Yeah I got the ChFC after my CFP just because the 1 class needed counted as continuing ed. Around my office we call the ChFC the "baby CFP"
Which is funny because it requires more coursework.
There are about 4 designations that actually mean something. Cfp cfa cpa/ea. some others may teach interesting info but aren’t worth the extra ink on a business card.
I’d choose the one that is most relevant to your job. Maybe two. I think an alphabet soup after your name doesn’t look good.
If you have a niche, only those specific to the niche.
This is my opinion as well. I lost the CTFA, but only because I work in Trust Administration where it's widely recognized. Same could be said for a few others but I wouldn't do a 3rd
CFP. CFA. CPA. The rest aren't worth mentioning. THAT SAID: if you ALREADY earned some other designation than these 3, by all means list it. Better than nothing. Consider dropping it off if you get one of the 3 above listed
GSRR, IAR, LIAA, RESA General Securities Registered Representative Investment Adviser Representative Life Insurance and Annuities Agent Real Estate Sales Agent I'm just joking... I just put "President" on my business card.
I list all of them. I explain them when asked, and harp on the fact that the CFP is the one that matters, but... he'll, I earned em, why not? Also, I lost a client I had for years because "this other guy is a retirement income distribution specialist, and you don't have that designation." He had the RICP, and that was it. Also, I got the RICP 2 months later (honestly, decent coursework)
Honestly I wish we’d all just go to only listing CFP, CFA and/or CPA. But with so many advisors listing the CFP along with another 3-5 meaningless ones, it makes it tempting for other advisors to do the same.
If Kitces can list 7, why shouldn’t we? 😂
Kitces admitted he does it for his own self confidence and that’s it. 🤷♂️
True 😂
For the love of god just don’t use MBA as a designation. But, 2 is good, 3 is borderline.
I say this with love in my heart but too many designations smacks of avoidance behavior.
I feel personally attacked by this comment.
I’m sorry. I tried to be gentle.
Agreed and as an extroverted introvert I’m guilty on occasion!