Open Finance Academy

Certifications

Explore major professional credentials in finance, financial counseling, investment management, and trading. Each linked credential leads to its issuer’s information about the program or qualification pathway.

This index covers widely used international and U.S. credentials, plus selected regional and specialist qualifications. It is a broad starting point rather than an exhaustive worldwide register. Regional labels identify the program’s context, not every country where it is available or recognized. Official sources reviewed September 12, 2026.

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Financial counseling and financial wellbeing

These programs focus on helping people manage everyday money, credit, housing, and financial behavior.

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
AFC — Accredited Financial Counselor Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE); U.S. Budgeting, debt, credit, and helping people work toward financial goals.
CPFC — Certified Personal Finance Counselor Fincert.org, Institute for Financial Literacy; U.S. Individual financial counseling and practical money management.
Certified Consumer Credit Counselor National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC); U.S. Credit and debt counseling; the certification program is available to employees of NFCC member agencies.
CFT-I — Certified Financial Therapist–Level I Financial Therapy Association; U.S. The relationship between money, emotions, behavior, and relationships.
HUD Certified Housing Counselor U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing affordability, rental housing, homeownership, and foreclosure prevention. Certification requires passing the exam and working for a HUD-approved agency.

Financial planning and wealth advice

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
CDFA — Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts; U.S. / Canada Analyzing the financial effects of divorce and proposed settlements.
CFP — Certified Financial Planner CFP Board in the U.S.; Financial Planning Standards Board member organizations in other territories Comprehensive personal financial planning. Follow the organization for the territory where you intend to practice.
ChFC — Chartered Financial Consultant The American College of Financial Services; U.S. Broad financial planning for individuals and families.
PFS — Personal Financial Specialist American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); U.S. Personal financial planning specialization for Certified Public Accountants.
CPWA — Certified Private Wealth Advisor Investments & Wealth Institute; U.S. Planning for clients with substantial wealth, including tax, estate, and family considerations.
WMCP — Wealth Management Certified Professional The American College of Financial Services; U.S. Managing investments around a client’s goals and broader financial plan.
AAMS — Accredited Asset Management Specialist College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan company; U.S. Foundational investment and personal financial planning knowledge.
PFP — Personal Financial Planner Canadian Securities Institute; Canada Comprehensive personal financial planning in the Canadian context.
Chartered Financial Planner pathway Chartered Insurance Institute; U.K. Advanced financial planning. The Advanced Diploma is part of the pathway; chartered status also has membership and experience requirements.
Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI); U.K. / international Advanced investment and wealth management. The qualification and the Chartered Wealth Manager title have distinct requirements.

Retirement, estate, and insurance planning

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
CPFA — Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor National Association of Plan Advisors; U.S. Advising retirement plans and understanding responsibilities to plan participants.
RICP — Retirement Income Certified Professional The American College of Financial Services; U.S. Turning retirement savings into income and managing retirement risks.
RMA — Retirement Management Advisor Investments & Wealth Institute; U.S. Building retirement income plans around household needs and risks.
CRPC — Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan company; U.S. Retirement planning for individuals before and after retirement.
CRPS — Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist College for Financial Planning, a Kaplan company; U.S. Employer-sponsored retirement plan design and administration.
CLU — Chartered Life Underwriter The American College of Financial Services; U.S. Life insurance in personal, business, and estate planning.
ChSNC — Chartered Special Needs Consultant The American College of Financial Services; U.S. Planning for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
CAP — Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy The American College of Financial Services; U.S. Charitable giving and its role in financial and estate planning.
CTFA — Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor American Bankers Association; U.S. Managing trusts and advising on wealth, estates, and responsibilities to clients.

Investment analysis and portfolio management

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
AIF — Accredited Investment Fiduciary Fi360 / Broadridge; U.S. Applying prudent investment processes when responsible for other people’s money.
CFA — Chartered Financial Analyst CFA Institute; international Investment analysis, valuing investments, managing portfolios, and professional ethics.
CAIA — Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst CAIA Association; international Investments such as private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and private credit.
CIPM — Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement CFA Institute; international Measuring and evaluating investment results and selecting investment managers.
CIMA — Certified Investment Management Analyst Investments & Wealth Institute; U.S. / international Investment consulting, choosing a mix of investments, and portfolio construction.
CIM — Chartered Investment Manager Canadian Securities Institute; Canada Investment and portfolio management in the Canadian context.

Trading and quantitative finance

These qualifications cover market analysis, dealing, and mathematical methods. For U.S. exams associated with professional trading roles, see licenses and qualification exams.

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
CMT — Chartered Market Technician CMT Association; international Analyzing price, volume, and market trends, with trading and risk applications.
CFTe — Certified Financial Technician International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA); international Technical analysis of financial markets using market data and charts.
MFTA — Master of Financial Technical Analysis IFTA; international Advanced research in technical analysis; a professional qualification, not a university master’s degree.
CQF — Certificate in Quantitative Finance CQF Institute / Fitch Learning; international Mathematical and programming methods for pricing, trading, and managing financial risk.
ACI Dealing Certificate ACI Financial Markets Association; international Dealing-room foundations in foreign exchange, interest rates, and commodities.

Corporate finance, accounting, and treasury

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
CMA — Certified Management Accountant Institute of Management Accountants; international Management accounting, planning, performance analysis, and business financial decisions.
CGMA — Chartered Global Management Accountant pathway AICPA & CIMA; international Management accounting, business strategy, and finance leadership.
ACCA Qualification Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; international Accounting, reporting, audit, taxation, and financial management.
ACA qualification Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW); U.K. / international Chartered accountancy, including business, accounting, and finance. Other countries have their own chartered accountancy bodies and pathways.
CTP — Certified Treasury Professional Association for Financial Professionals; international Corporate cash management, funding, and treasury operations.
FPAC — Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional Association for Financial Professionals; international Business budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and decision support.

For the U.S. Certified Public Accountant license and Enrolled Agent credential, see licenses and qualification exams.

Risk, banking, compliance, and fraud

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
FRM — Financial Risk Manager Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP); international Measuring and managing financial risks across markets and institutions.
PRM — Professional Risk Manager Professional Risk Managers’ International Association; international Financial risk methods, risk management practice, and professional standards.
CERA — Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst Authorized actuarial bodies, including the Society of Actuaries; international Identifying and managing risks across an organization.
CAMS — Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist ACAMS; international Detecting and preventing the movement of criminal proceeds through the financial system.
CRCM — Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager American Bankers Association; U.S. Managing compliance with banking rules and consumer protection requirements.
CIA — Certified Internal Auditor The Institute of Internal Auditors; international Reviewing internal controls, governance, and organizational processes.
CRMA — Certification in Risk Management Assurance The Institute of Internal Auditors; international Evaluating how well an organization governs and manages risk.
CFE — Certified Fraud Examiner Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; international Preventing, detecting, and investigating fraud.

Insurance and actuarial qualifications

Actuarial qualifications focus on using mathematics and statistics to assess uncertain future costs and financial risks.

Credential and official resource Issuer / context Main focus
CPCU — Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter The Institutes; U.S. Property and casualty insurance, including coverage, underwriting, and insurance business operations.
ARM — Associate in Risk Management The Institutes; U.S. Assessing and treating organizational risks.
ASA / FSA — Associate / Fellow of the Society of Actuaries Society of Actuaries; U.S. / international Actuarial work in areas such as life and health insurance, retirement, and investments; fellowship adds advanced specialization.
ACAS / FCAS — Associate / Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society Casualty Actuarial Society; U.S. / international Property and casualty actuarial work; associate and fellow are successive professional levels.

Specialist certificates and practical training

These programs offer focused study or applied skills. Compare their assessment and experience requirements with those of the broader professional credentials above.

Certificate or certification and official resource Provider Main focus
Sustainable Investing Certificate CFA Institute Considering environmental, social, and corporate governance factors in investment decisions; formerly the Certificate in ESG Investing.
SCR — Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate GARP Understanding and managing sustainability and climate-related risks.
RAI — Risk and AI Certificate GARP Artificial intelligence applications, risks, and governance.
FMVA — Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst Corporate Finance Institute Building financial models and estimating business value.
CBCA — Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst Corporate Finance Institute Analyzing borrowers and commercial lending decisions.
CMSA — Capital Markets & Securities Analyst Corporate Finance Institute Financial markets, investment products, and trading concepts.

The CIMA investment credential above is issued by Investments & Wealth Institute. It is separate from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, also abbreviated CIMA, which is associated with the CGMA pathway.

The following belong to licensing, registration, or government credentialing pathways. Passing an exam alone does not necessarily authorize someone to practice. FINRA explains the distinction between the SIE exam and registration in its SIE overview.

License, credential, or exam Responsible body / official resource Purpose
CPA — Certified Public Accountant State and territorial accountancy boards; NASBA licensing guide A professional accounting license; requirements depend on the jurisdiction.
EA — Enrolled Agent Internal Revenue Service Federal tax credential for representing taxpayers before the IRS.
SIE — Securities Industry Essentials FINRA Introductory securities industry exam; passing it alone does not confer a registration.
Series 6 — Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative FINRA qualification exams Qualification exam for a limited range of investment products.
Series 7 — General Securities Representative FINRA qualification exams Qualification exam for general securities representative activities.
Series 57 — Securities Trader Representative FINRA qualification exams Qualification exam for securities trader activities.
Series 79 — Investment Banking Representative FINRA qualification exams Qualification exam for investment banking activities.
Series 86/87 — Research Analyst FINRA qualification exams Exams for research analyst activities.
Series 63 — Uniform Securities Agent State Law North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA); NASAA exams State securities law exam associated with securities agent registration.
Series 65 — Uniform Investment Adviser Law NASAA; NASAA exams Exam associated with investment adviser representative qualification.
Series 66 — Uniform Combined State Law NASAA; NASAA exams Combined state law exam used with Series 7 in relevant registration pathways.
Series 3 — National Commodity Futures Examination National Futures Association proficiency requirements Futures industry proficiency exam used in relevant registration pathways.

Compare a program before enrolling

Use the official links to check eligibility, exams, experience requirements, total fees, and ongoing renewal or education obligations. Look at the curriculum for the work you want to do and the requirements in the country where you intend to work. A professional designation, a course certificate, and a regulatory license can serve different purposes; their requirements are not interchangeable.

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