Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager® (AFIM®)

Overview

The Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager® (AFIM®) certification is designed for professionals working in Fiduciary Investment Management activities in the financial services industry. This certification is based on an established set of industry-wide competencies covering concepts, rules, regulations, laws, and standard operating procedures essential for proficiency in the fiduciary investment management field.

This comprehensive two-part program focuses on fiduciary investing, covering investment products, strategies, and portfolio management. The curriculum utilizes case studies, discussions, and covers various investment vehicles like structured products, ETFs, REITs, and annuities. It equips professionals with the skills to navigate fiduciary investing while adhering to best practices.

Special Enrollment Note for Cannon Graduates: All Level 3 graduates of any Cannon curriculum (except CWS) qualify to bypass the initial course of Fiduciary Investment Management I and directly enroll in the final course, Fiduciary Investment Management II. This means that with just one additional week of training and passing the exam, you'll be able to add another valuable designation to your credentials.s.  

Who Should Become an AFIM®?

Trust and Estate Planning Professionals
Trust and Estate Planning professionals managing substantial fiduciary investments will find the AFIM® designation indispensable. This program offers specialized knowledge to tackle the unique challenges in fiduciary investing, allowing you to develop strategies for managing complex portfolios and ensuring adherence to best practices and regulatory requirements. By earning the AFIM® designation, you enhance your credibility, showcase your commitment to fiduciary excellence, and position yourself as a trusted advisor in the trust and estate planning sector.

Trust Audit and Compliance Professionals
For Trust Audit and Compliance professionals, the AFIM® designation offers in-depth knowledge of fiduciary investment principles and regulatory frameworks. This certification equips you to strengthen your audit capabilities, gain expertise in auditing fiduciary investments, enhance your risk management skills, and ensure your organization meets industry standards and legal requirements. By becoming an AFIM® designee, you uphold the highest standards of fiduciary duty and contribute to the integrity and reliability of fiduciary investment management.

Financial Services Professionals
Financial services professionals aiming to broaden their fiduciary investment expertise will benefit greatly from the AFIM® designation. This program covers a comprehensive range of investment products and strategies, enabling you to offer advanced investment management services to clients, navigate complex investment landscapes, and make informed decisions. With the AFIM® certification, you can confidently deliver exceptional fiduciary care, enhance your professional qualifications, and explore new career opportunities in the competitive financial services industry.

Curriculum Outline

The Fiduciary Investment Management program consists of two courses, each building upon the knowledge gained in the previous one. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to equip professionals with in-depth knowledge and skills across the diverse areas of fiduciary investment management.

Fiduciary Investment Management I: This course covers the basics of investment products, securities markets, and investment analysis. It includes topics such as securities marketplace, business cycles, debt and equity securities, financial statement analysis, investment companies (mutual funds, ETFs, REITs), annuities, fiduciary investment principles, and prudent investor rules.

Fiduciary Investment Management II: This course dives into strategies, portfolio management approaches, and fiduciary practices for investment managers. It covers structured products, investment manager fiduciary practices, global performance standards (GIPS), global investing, dealing with low-cost basis assets, irrevocable life insurance trusts, sector investing strategies, portfolio capture ratios, alternative investments (commodities, real estate), modern portfolio theory, investing for different trust types, creating an investment narrative, and retirement income planning.

Exam

The AFIM® certification requires designation candidates to successfully pass the certification examination as one of the requirements to earn the designation. This certification exam allows the AFIM® Board of Standards to determine if a candidate possesses the minimum required knowledge expected of a certified professional in the domain of retirement plan services.

Prerequisites to sit for the AFIM® Certification Exam

The AFIM® Board of Standards has eligibility requirements which must be met before a candidate may earn the Cannon Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager® designation. The exam application process ensures that candidates have met these requirements, which are:

• Three years of industry experience and a four-year degree from an accredited college or university
• Complete an approved study program
• Complete the AFIM® application
  • Submit a Letter of Recommendation
  • Agree and sign the AFIM® Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct Standards
  • Pay the AFIM® exam fee

OR

• Five years of industry experience
• Complete an approved study program
• Complete the AFIM® application
  • Submit a Letter of Recommendation
  • Agree and sign the AFIM® Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct Standards
  • Pay the AFIM® exam fee

AFIM® Exam Responsibility and Validity

As the issuing authority of the AFIM® certification, the Board of Standards is charged with creating exams that are representative of the appropriate knowledge and skills for a credentialed professional in the domain of Fiduciary Investment Management. Cannon uses its extensive experience in training, supporting and preparing professionals in the financial services industry to establish the evaluation model and requisite examination questions that ensure candidates have the necessary knowledge competencies for an AFIM®.

Our faculty and exam writer’s deep and tenured experience in the areas of training and supporting professionals, learning theory and standardized test construction ensures exam questions are appropriate, match the certification competency sets and meet ISO quality standards of fairness and accessibility in compliance with ADA section 19.