CFS® - Certified Fund Specialist® Designation

Education - Certified Fund Specialist^® (CFS^®) candidates must complete a comprehensive advanced program designed to educate the advisor on every aspect of modern portfolio theory (MPT), mutual funds, ETF’s, REIT’s, UIT’s, EAN’s, CEF’s asset rebalancing and taxation.

Experience - CFS^® professionals must have a Bachelor’s degree or 2,000 hours of experience completed in the financial services industry prior to completing the CFS^® course. As a result, CFS^® practitioners possess extensive financial counseling skills in addition to portfolio construction.

Ethics - All graduates must sign the Institute of Business and Finance (IBF) Code of Ethics and agree to adhere to the IBF Standards of Practice, both of which place the client’s interests above those of the advisor or parent company.

The CFS^® advisor pledges to put your interests above all else, keeps abreast of industry standards, new strategies and academic white papers. While conducting all activities with the highest standards of integrity and honesty, CFS^® advisors perform investment services in a professional and economical manner offering advice only in areas of competence.

Ongoing Certification Requirements - IBF’s continuing education (CE) policy is an important part of our commitment to the highest competency standards in the industry. Every CFS^® advisor is required to regularly submit 30 hours of continuing education to maintain technical competence and fulfill ethical obligations.

Additional information regarding this designation is available by contacting the Institute of Business and Finance (IBF) at www.ICFS.com or calling 1-800-848-2029.