Our Designations Working for You

The Benefits of Working With an AIF^® Designee

Not all financial planners are the same, including when it comes to providing fiduciary services. There are advisors who can consistently operate in a fiduciary capacity, others who only act as a fiduciary when providing certain services, and some who are not allowed to take on fiduciary obligations at all. When you work with an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) designee, however, you can be certain that you are working with an advisor who has the necessary training to follow the standard fiduciary process.

AIF^® designees have been certified specifically to follow a fiduciary process with their clients’ best interests at heart. Designees must provide documented industry and educational experience to qualify for the designation, as well as complete AIF^® training covering Prudent Practices^® for managing fiduciary assets for wealth, nonprofit and retirement clients. After passing the necessary examination, designees showcase their professionalism by committing to follow the AIF^®; Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards and completing the continuing education requirements to maintain their designation.

How an AIF^® Designee Can Help You

An AIF^®; designee can provide you an array of specialized services. For instance, they can:

• Create and maintain a comprehensive investment plan, strategy or policy statement documenting the processes and procedures used to manage your plan and portfolio.
• Analyze and optimize asset allocation strategies and investment menus.
• Apply objective standards for evaluating and recommending appropriate investment options and products.
• Evaluate your current fiduciary practices and recommend actions to help mitigate compliance and mitigate risks.

To find out more about the AIF^® requirements, visit https://www.finra.org/investors/professional-designations/aif.

What is the CEPA designation?

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) program was specifically designed for business advisors who work closely with owners of privately held companies to have value-added conversations around growth and exit. The program helps to effectively address all of the personal, business, financial, legal and tax issues involved in selling a business. The organizing principle of the program is Master Planning™, which is executed through the implementation of the Value Acceleration Methodology™ process. Whether you are looking to sell or transition out of the business when retirement rolls around, a CEPA can help you plan for a successful transition.

Why is a CEPA important?

CEPAs are an experienced group of advisors who have received this designation and are part of the Exit Planning Institute’s international community. The CEPA program is the most widely accepted and endorsed professional exit planning program in the world. Having an advisor on your team that possesses the CEPA designation will help you build a more valuable company, align your financial goals and create a solid personal financial plan that can help you confidently transition into the next phase of your life.

To find out more about the CEPA requirements, visit https://www.finra.org/investors/professional-designations/cepa.

Why Work With a Private Wealth Advisor

Significant wealth often requires prudent guidance beyond what is typically offered. The astute wealth counsel provided by a Private Wealth Advisor incorporates a wide range of layered financial strategies designed to fully address the complexities of exceptional wealth in a holistic and highly coordinated manner.

Private Wealth Advisor is a designation of distinction awarded by Raymond James to qualified candidates that successfully complete the rigorous curriculum and commit to continued education to stay current on innovative strategies for managing wealth and addressing an evolving investment landscape.

When you work with a Private Wealth Advisor, you can count on having a financial professional dedicated to building a trusted relationship with you, understanding your complex needs and being always at the ready to address the essential financial matters in your life.

Private Wealth Resources

Private Wealth Advisors have access to the Raymond James platform of powerful private wealth resources to help their clients manage complexities and pursue their most visionary, far-reaching and entrepreneurial goals.

Private Wealth Advisors collaborate with client’s tax and legal advisors and Raymond James home office professionals across a wide range of financial disciplines to serve the specialized needs of clients holding significant assets. The areas covered include:

• Boutique investment offerings
• Alternative investments
• Trusts and estates
• Philanthropic foundations
• Multigenerational wealth transfer
• Risk management
• Private banking and lending
• Investment banking
• Business advising
• Business succession planning
• Tax liability management
• Family legacy education

Awarded by Raymond James, Private Wealth Advisor is a designation of distinction. To earn it, advisors must demonstrate mastery of sophisticated client needs as well as the acumen to deploy specialized private wealth strategies in an integrated, holistic manner.

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

Alternative investments involve substantial risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments and may be offered only to clients who meet specific suitability requirements, including minimum net worth tests. These risks include but are not limited to: limited or no liquidity, tax considerations, incentive fee structures, speculative investment strategies, and different regulatory and reporting requirements. There is no assurance that any investment will meet its investment objectives or that substantial losses will be avoided.

Trust services provided by Raymond James Trust N.A. Raymond James Trust N.A. is affiliated with Raymond James & Associates, Inc., and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

* Banking and Lending solutions are offered through Raymond James Bank, an affiliate of Raymond James & Associates, Inc, and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., and your Raymond James Financial Advisor do not solicit or offer residential mortgage products and are unable to accept any residential mortgage loan applications or to offer or negotiate terms of any such loan. You will be put into contact with a Raymond James Bank for your residential mortgage needs.

AAMS™ – Accredited Asset Management Specialist™

Individuals who hold the AAMS^® designation have completed a course of study encompassing investments, insurance, tax, retirement and estate planning issues. Additionally, individuals must pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations.

All designees have agreed to adhere to Standards of Professional Conduct and are subject to a disciplinary process.

Designees renew their designation every two years by completing 16 hours of continuing education, reaffirming adherence to the Standards of Professional Conduct and complying with self-disclosure requirements.