Have you ever wondered what the “alphabet soup” after your advisor’s name really means? Those letters represent the fierce determination of our advisors at Warren Wealth Associates. These designations mean they’ve dedicated extra time and energy expanding their education and committing to a higher standard of service. Read about our advisors’ designations and what it means for you as their valued client.
AIF – Accredited Investment Fiduciary
The Accredited Investment Fiduciary is an ethical certification issued by Fi360, or formerly known as The Center for Fiduciary Studies. This credential ensures the highest standard of care, required by law, will be met as it requires the advisor to serve the client’s best interest at all times, above all else. By gaining this credential, it represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply the fiduciary Practices. All designees are required to attest to these Code of Ethics:
To our clients, as AIF advisors, we will:
- Employ and provide the client information on the Prudent Practices when serving as an investment fiduciary and/or advising other investment fiduciaries.
- Act with honesty and integrity and avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
- Ensure the timely and understandable disclosure of relevant information that is accurate, complete, and objective.
- Be responsible when determining the value of my services and my form of compensation; taking into consideration the time, skill, experience, and special circumstances involved in providing my services.
- Know the limits of my expertise and refer my clients to colleagues and/or other professionals in connection with issues beyond my knowledge and skills.
- Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of my work, and not disclose such information to others, except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to do so. I will not use confidential information acquired in the course of my work for my personal advantage.
- Not exploit any relationship or responsibility that has been entrusted to me.
To our community (whether defined by work, family, and/or friends), as AIF advisors, we will:
- Proactively promote and be a steward of ethical behavior as a responsible partner among my peers in the work environment and in my community.
- Ensure that the overall promotion of my practice is implemented in the best interests of my profession.
- Seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work; acknowledge and correct errors; and properly credit the contributions of others.
- Use corporate assets and resources employed or entrusted to me in a responsible manner.
- Continue to improve my knowledge and skills, share ideas and information with colleagues, and assist them.
CFP® – Certified Financial Planner
For over 3 decades, this certification has stood to represent the standard of excellence for financial planners. Receiving this designation is one of the most difficult and stringent processes in terms of being a financial advisor. Designees have formal recognition of expertise in the areas of financial planning, insurances, taxes, retirement and estate planning. The most important aspect of a being a CFP advisor, is their duty to act as a a fiduciary of your assets which holds them accountable to make all decisions with your best interest in mind. All designees must commit to the following high standards of competency and ethics;
Code of Ethics
A CFP® must:
- Act with honesty, integrity, competence, and diligence.
- Act in the client’s best interests.
- Exercise due care.
- Avoid or disclose and manage conflicts of interest.
- Maintain the confidentiality and protect the privacy of client information.
- Act in a manner that reflects positively on the financial planning profession and CFP® certification.