Financial Services Organizations

These professional organizations may be of value to you, even if you are not a member. For example, the Million Dollar Round Table offers a wide variety of educational and motivational materials, which might be useful even to a fee-only financial planner or a bank trust officer.

AFPP - Association of Financial Planning Professionals.    Formed as a non-profit corporation under Minnesota law in 1999, AFPP took on the task of developing a services driven organization to serve as an independent voice for financial planning professionals and their associates. A Board of Directors was elected to govern AFPP.

AFS - Academy of Financial Services.  An international academic organization, the AFS holds annual meetings where CE can be earned. Researchers present papers covering all aspects of individual financial management and education. Panel discussions and tutorials devoted to individual financial management issues of current interest are also included in the program. The membership includes college professors, financial planners, financial consultants and other professionals.. Currently there are over 400 members of the AFS worldwide.

ACAT - Accreditation Council for Accountancy & Taxation. The Council was founded in 1973 and is affiliated National Society of Accountants.  It is an independent monitoring, testing, and accrediting organization.  Professionals earn accreditation in the accounting or tax field through coursework and examination, and keep credentials through continuing education and adhering to rules, and a code of ethics.  The Board of Directors is made up of educators, practitioners, and representatives of the business, tax and government fields.

ABA - American Bankers Association.  The ABA is the uniquely the solitary national trade and professional association assisting the entire banking community. Some of its well-known products are the National FBI Fingerprint Service, Internet Sources for Bankers: A Selective Guide to Websites and many of ABA's training programs. Products and services cover topics in Business Banking, Community Banking, Compliance, Staff Training and Human Resources, Marketing, Operations, Consumer Banking, Trusts and Investments and Consumer Education. The ABA has its own school called ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking for bank officers and executives.

ABA - American Bar Association.  Established in 1878, this organization is for attorneys and others in law-related fields. About 33,000 attorneys are a part of the ABA's Real Property Probate and Trust Section. Financial planners often need attorneys for advice in estate, business, trust and tax areas.

American College is an independent, nonprofit, accredited institution located in Bryn Mawr, PA that offers professional certification and graduate-degree distance education to men and women seeking career growth in financial services. The College offers educational programs leading to the CLU, ChFC, RHU, and REBC, and in conjunction with LIMRA International and GAMA International, the CLF designation. The College also offers a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP™) Educational Curriculum, whereby students may qualify to sit for the CFP Certification Examination. (CFP™ and Certified Financial Planner™ are federally registered marks of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.) 

A RIA - American Risk and Insurance Association.  Dedicated to research and education, this organization has members employed by colleges and universities, reinsurance companies, consulting firms, bureaus and associations, investment organizations, and insurance departments. Members may do the following through ARIA's website: learn guidelines to submitting articles to the association's two journals, join on the Web, access teaching tools, read papers that were presented in conferences, view job openings and/or candidates and listen to presidential addresses.

AIFG - American Institute of Financial Gerontologists. The American Institute of Financial Gerontology (AIFG) provides unparalleled continuing education and confers the Certified Financial Gerontologist (CFG) designation to professionals who advise older consumers and their families.

ASPA - American Society of Pension Actuaries.  A group devoted to the design and administration of qualified retirement plans. Has about 3,000 member. The ASPA awards the CPC - Certified Pension Consultant and QPA - Qualified Pension Administrator designations.

ANBC - Annuity National Brokerage Corporation.  A 23-year-old Annuity National Brokerage Company, which now represents more than 3,000 agents, brokers, and financial planners across the United States of America. The ANBC now provides the CAA professional designation to those who attend a Paul Cross Client Seminar, the Certified Annuity Advisor Program that is CEC Accredited Annuity Course.

AALU - Association for Advanced Life Underwriting.  A conference of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (Formerly NALU) for agents and advisors who specialize in estate planning and employee benefits. Holds an annual meeting in Washington and is involved in meeting with congressional committees on relevant topics. There are about 3,000 members.

AFCPE - Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. This international organization was founded by a group of students and academicians in 1979. Members include financial counselors, planners, educators in private practice, academic, state cooperative extension specialists and educators, military and government personnel. This association, with about 600 members, offers the designation AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor) by way of an examination, experience and recommendation. If you are looking for ISRLP, the International Society for Retirement & Life Planning, (formerly the ISRP, International Society for Retirement Planning), as of January 1, 2001 We will be coordinating the activities of AFCPE's new Committee for Life and Retirement Planning, contributing to the publications, participating in conferences, and so on. Click on the AFCPE logo or the link above to go to our new home.

AHIA - Association of Health Insurance Agents. Founded in 1990, it seeks to provide leadership in sustaining and improving the business environment for those engaged in health underwriting, enhance the professional skills of those providing health products and foster greater financial independence for the public. AHIA is operated as a conference of the NAIFA, with about 3,000 members.

AIMR - Association for Investment Management and Research.  Provides a variety of services to its members, who are financial analysts and portfolio managers. AIMR also administers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program. It has over 80 societies and chapters and 36,000 members worldwide. AIMR offers conferences, seminars, and publications and sets the AIMR Performance Presentation Standards (AIMR-PPS).

CAFP - Canadian Association of Financial Planners. Awards Registered Financial Planners the RFP designation to Canadian planners who may have another educational qualification, such as CFP. An RFP must submit to an additional comprehensive examination and review of a financial plan. About 2,400 RFP members

CAIFA - Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors . This association is composed of insurance and investment representatives. Holds an annual conference, ten schools and over 180 CE qualifying seminars each year. The CAIFA has about 18,000 members and 59 chapters in Canada. It offers Canadian courses leading to the following designations: CFP, CLU, ChFC, REBC and RHU.

CAPP - Canadian Association of Pre-Retirement Planners.  This national, non-profit organization is governed by a Board of Directors and consists of chapters and persons all dedicated to the improvement and provision of retirement planning programs. Member benefits include networking, international affiliations, national magazine subscription, membership directory, annual conferences and annual meetings. Its objective is to endorse and develop public awareness, professional development, quality, networking and encouragement.

CBI - Center for Banking Information, a very comprehensive library of financial information, can be accessed through the BMA/ABA websites. Members can compete at the Best of Advertising Competition and for the Golden Coin Award. Many schools and programs are available to members.

CSS - Center for Senior Studies Inc.   Home of the Certified Senior Specialist CSS® and the Long Term Care Insurance Strategist LTCIS® national designation programs. Their goal is to enrich the knowledge and understanding of professionals including Insurance and Financial Advisors, Attorneys and Accountants through education on topics focusing upon the evolving and specialized needs of America's citizens as they age. The Center is dedicated to providing a strong foundation upon which to assist people in the 50+ market with all aspects of the financial and retirement planning process, from life insurance and annuities, to estate and trust planning, to long-term care insurance and government entitlement.

CIFP - Canadian Institute of Financial Planning .  Administers the CFP educational program in Canada, under license from the FPSC Financial Planners Standard Council. It is the longest operating correspondence course of its kind in Canada. Courses are also offered through 60 colleges and universities across Canada. Six courses, each with their own exam, are required. CFP licensees must complete a comprehensive proficiency exam and have two years work experience in financial planning. Continuing education is then required on an annual basis. CIFP also offers continuing education as well.

CIMA - C ertified Investment Management Consultants . The Investment Management Consultants Association awards this credential. IMCA's certification program has become a symbol for our association, lending credibility to those who earn the CIMA designation. Since inception, our certification program has grown, responding to the demands of our members and their clients. Today, the investment management industry recognizes CIMA certification as the highest standard in consulting expertise.

CIMC - Investment Management Consultants Association . With approximately 1,000 members, the ICIMC has 30 chapters. Memberships are divided into two categories: corporate and consultant. Most members already hold several professional designations. An educational facility, it holds two conferences a year, offers benefits and discounts to members, and sells software.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.  Founded in 1985, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) is a nonprofit professional certifying organization that own the certification marks CFP TM , CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM and CFP TM (with flame logo). These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements, including an approved curriculum and a ten-hour examination.

College for Financial Planning. An academic institution located in Denver that offers a variety of professional financial education programs, including a course that qualifies the students to sit for the CFP Board's licensing exam. Now a for-profit institution, the College is part of the Apollo, Group, Inc. The five CFP preparation courses include subjects such as insurance, tax, assets, mutual funds, and retirement planning. The College offers a Masters of Science degree in Financial Planning and offers the ATP, ATA, AAMS, CMFC, CRPC and CRPS designations.

CPCU Society. Founded in 1944, the Society consists of 28,000 CPCUs who have passed ten national examinations by the American Institute for CPCU. Currently, there are 154 chapters nationally representing all sectors of business and levels of management.

CFTC Commodity Futures Trading Commission . Created by Congress in 1974 as an independent agency with the mandate to regulate commodity futures and option markets in the United States. The agency protects market participants against manipulation, abusive trade practices and fraud. Through effective oversight and regulation, the CFTC enables the markets to serve better their important functions in the nation's economy – providing a mechanism for price discovery and a means of offsetting price risk.

CLTCC - The Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification. This independent for-profit organization has a governing board that includes members from the law, senior housing, home care, government financing and senior advocacy fields. Although endorsed by major insurance companies, the CLTCC is not associated or funded by and insurance vendor or company. CLTCC offers the CLTC designation in conjunction with NAELA.

CSS - Certified Senior Specialist. The "Certified Senior Specialist" Designation is awarded through the Center for Senior Studies, Inc. after successful completion of their courses in Self-Study and Internet formats. The CSS designation ties together all of the elements of senior planning for the very first time in their comprehensive program. Providing financial planner and advisors with vital understanding of the differences between assisting an individual age 50 with their planning versus someone age 60, 70 or 80.

FPA - Financial Planning Association. FPA was created when the International Association for Financial Planning and the Institute of Certified Financial Planners joined on January 1, 2000. Its members are dedicated to supporting the financial planning process in order to help people achieve their goals and dreams. Membership benefits include professional networking opportunities, continuing education opportunities, a subscription to the Journal of Financial Planning, a voice on legislative advocacy matters, online information and services, and business and marketing tools to help members build their practices and enhance their job performance.

FSI - Financial Services Institute.  An association of independent broker dealers that formed as a spin-off from the FPA.  Purpose, to serve the needs and interests of these firms.

GAMA - International General Agents and Managers Association. For persons who recruit, select, train, supervise and motivate career life and financial services associates. The 8,000 members must also have membership in NALU/NAIFA. GAMA presents awards to outstanding agencies and agency leaders. Members privileges are a showcase audio tape series, preferred tuition rates, recognition leaders' Teleconferences, GAMA International Journal, periodic e-mails called Learner's Link, volunteer opportunities and advocacy of other professionals.

IBF - Institute of Business and Finance.  The IBF's objectives are to enhance the professionalism of the financial service industry, to serve persons who deal with this industry and to offer quality education. To enroll persons must have a high school diploma or GED and complete application. The Institute offers programs to earn the following designations: CFS, BCS, BCE, BCI and BCM. 

ICB - Institute of Certified Bankers. The ICB is a national association of certified professionals in the financial services industry, was created to meet industry needs for programs that would help banking professionals improve proficiency. Established in 1990, the Washington, D.C.-based ICB is a nonprofit, independent corporation sponsored by the American Bankers Association (ABA). Its mission: to promote excellence and professionalism in all parts of the industry. The need to achieve and maintain a competitive advantage is increasingly important for today's career banking professional, as employers' and clients' performance needs demand a firm, demonstrable grasp of knowledge standards for the financial services industry. More than 8,200 national and international members currently belong to ICB.

ICDP - Institute for Certified Divorce Planners.  The ICDP, formerly Quantum Institute for Professional Divorce Planning, was founded in 1993. The Institute was created to give financial and legal professionals training in pre-divorce financial planning. Instructors are attorneys and CFPs who are experienced in this field. A client newsletter and referral service is available to members. Currently, the ICDP is the only training location to offer the CDP, Certified Divorce Planner designation.

ICFE - Institute of Consumer Financial Education.   A consumer oriented, non-profit, tax exempt (501c3), public education organization based in San Diego, CA. The ICFE was originally founded by the late Loren Dunton, and is now managed by Paul Richard, RFC, who serves as the Executive Director. The ICFE is dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their spending, increase their savings and use credit more wisely.

IIAA - Independent Insurance Agents of America. As the biggest and oldest independent agent association nationally, the IIAA is now a dominant force in the insurance business field. A small handful of local fire agent founded it in 1896, but it now represents 300,000 agents and their assistants. With its federation of 51 state associations, it offers "advocacy, business tools and media visibility to it members." Of all the independent insurance agencies nationally, over half are members of IIAA. 

IMA - Institute of Management Accountants. Accountants and corporate finance persons make up this professional organization devoted to management accounting and financial management. Currently, 75,000 members enjoy benefits like: group insurance, member interest groups, a Catalog of Publications, Research Publication Service, member discounts, job listings, scholarships and a newsletter for each of the 300 chapters. The IMA offers the designations CMA and CFM and publishes the Strategic Finance magazine monthly.

IAQFP- International Association of Qualified Financial Planners. A non-profit organization that grants the QFP designation to those with the CFP, ChFC or CPA/PFS designation.  Bylaws stress open nominations and election, open discussions and open enrollment.

IARFC - International Association of Registered Financial Consultants. A non-profit professional membership group for Registered Financial Consultants (RFC) and Registered Financial Associates (RFA). The association provides two continuing education conferences: one on a week cruise and the other held either at a conference center or a college campus of an institution that offers a financial planning curriculum. RFC courses are offered through educational institutions in seven countries.  Maintains a Financial Advisor Profile, and will soon publish the Registry of Estate Planning Attorneys.   The IARFC provides practice management oriented benefits to its members. Current Membership exceeds 3,700 and is growing at a rate of about 3% per month.

IFE - Institute of Financial Engineering.   A centralized financial advisory source for the delivery of services and products that were competitively priced. Nick Gregory, CEBA, CFP, CIC, RFC has structured the “financial engineering process” with those results as its foundation the IFE awards the RFE Registered Financial Engineer) designation too those who complete a 2-day course.

IFEBP - International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The largest educational association serving the employee benefits and compensation industry. For almost 50 years, the International Foundation has served as the premier source of education and information to the industry. And because the International Foundation is a nonprofit, nonlobbying organization, benefits and compensation professionals have come to rely on it for objective, accurate and timely information. Total membership includes 35,000 individuals representing 8,400 multiemployer trust funds, corporations, public employee groups and professional advisory firms throughout the United States and Canada.

IFP - Institute of Financial Planning. The Institute of Financial Planning is the professional body for those committed to the development of the multi-disciplinary profession of financial planning. Its mission is to develop and promote the profession of financial planning to the general public and to those people involved in providing advice and guidance to their clients, in order to most effectively fulfill every client's financial and lifestyle objectives. The Institute was founded in 1986. In 1995 the Institute earned the right to award the CFP and Certified Financial Planner TM designations in the UK, by exclusive license from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. in the United States.

International Forum. Founded in 1973, the Forum "provides an opportunity for free exchange of ideas and high level sales expertise between top producers in the life insurance profession." Ideas such as the 401K, producer groups, agent reinsurance companies and broad-based corporate insurance plans were created or enhanced at International Forum meetings. The Forum is governed by its own members, not corporate sponsors or industry groups. The registration fee and membership dues are $750. Workshops provide continuing education credits for members. Membership guidelines require certain commission and income levels and Top of the Table affiliation.

InFRE - International Foundation for Retirement Education. Giver of the CRC and CRA designations, InFRE is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization "dedicated to advancing the quality of retirement for American workers through objective, non-biased academically driven initiatives."

ICAA - Investment Counsel Association of America, Inc. The ICAA a non-profit organization whose membership consists solely of SEC-registered investment advisory firms. Founded in 1937, the ICAA today has more than 300 investment advisory firms that collectively manage in excess of $3 trillion for a wide variety of institutional and individual clients. They sponsor a number of educational meetings and conferences. In 2002, for example, they sponsored a variety of educational conferences designed for investment management firms relating to business, portfolio management, and technology/operations issues, as well as legal, regulatory, and compliance issues.

ICI - Investment Company Institute.  A national association of the American investment company industry. Its membership includes 7,546 open-end investment companies ("mutual funds"), 457 close-end investment companies and 8 sponsors of unit investment trusts. Its mutual fund members have assets of about $5,730 trillion, accounting for approximately 95% of total assets, and have over 73 million individual shareholders. The purpose of the Institute is to represent members and their shareholders in matters of legislation, statistics, public information, regulation, taxation, economic and market research.

IMA - Institute of Management Accountants. Accountants and corporate finance persons make up this professional organization devoted to management accounting and financial management. Currently, 75,000 members enjoy benefits like: group insurance, member interest groups, a Catalog of Publications, Research Publication Service, member discounts, job listings, scholarships and a newsletter for each of the 300 chapters. The IMA offers the designations CMA and CFM and publishes the Strategic Finance magazine monthly.

IMCA - Investment Management Consultants Association. As an organization, our role has been to broaden the public's understanding of investment management consulting and to promote and protect the interests of the profession. We also provide forums for ongoing education and information-sharing among our members. We believe these activities build a common purpose among our members, establishing a network of support that makes us more knowledgeable professionals in our day-to-day work. IMCA offers the only advanced designation designed specifically for investment consultants, the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) program.

JBEA - Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries. . Established pursuant to section 3041 of ERISA, is responsible for the enrollment of individuals who wish to perform actuarial services under ERISA. The Joint Board is composed of five members, three appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury and two appointed by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has one representative with no voting power. The Executive Director of the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries is responsible for administering the Enrolled Actuary program and conducting disciplinary proceedings.

LIMRA International. LIMRA was founded in 1916 to support and improve the marketing functions of life insurance companies by providing products and services based on its own original research. It also helps in consultation and educational services. Today there are over 700 members in almost 60 countries.

LTCIS - Long Term Care Insurance Strategist. The LTCIS Designation is awarded through the Center for Senior Studies, Inc. after successful completion of their course, Successful Strategies for the Long-Term Care Market. This will teach you the essential of the long term care market in addition to assisting you in understanding how to implement the most suitable solution. You will learn not only how to recognize the need for long-term care and how to properly assist people in understanding and addressing this risk once this need is identified, but also how best to position yourself and your services in the long term care marketplace as well.

LOMA - Life Office Management Association. LOMA's goal to its 1,100 members it to "improve management and operations through quality education, employees development, research, information sharing and related products and services." Members enjoy benefits like reading an association monthly column; training through seminars, workshops, studies, conferences seminar and special interest publications and audio-tapes; and learning through its maintained and updated Information Center/ insurance database of over 10,000 documents. LOMA's education programs cover many topics of interest, some of these programs of which 100,000 professionals have enrolled each year.

LUTC - Life Underwriter Training Council. An organization that offered educational programs with a practice orientation in the fields of life insurance and financial services. Awards the LUTCF - Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow designation, of which 60,000 have been granted to persons who complete five courses and an ethics program. In 2001, The American College absorbed the LUTC program and now administers it primarily on the Internet.

MDRT - Million Dollar Round Table.  An organization of the elite producers of life insurance. Membership is based on production requirements that are adjusted annually. About 60% of membership are U.S. Those with greater production may qualify for Court of the Table or Top of the Table. Holds an annual conference with 6-7,000 members attending and produces a variety of productivity aids for the members. About 25,000 members.

NACEC - National Association of Charitable Estate Counselors.  A non-profit group of 3000 financial advisors, a portion of whom have been granted the CPhD designation. Membership in NACEC is required by the National Heritage Foundation, an umbrella, nationally chartered foundation that promotes philanthropy by permitting donors to establish sub-foundations into their specific interests. About 3000 sub-foundations have already been established and founded.

NAEA - National Association of Enrolled Agents.  An organization of 10,000 (out of 100,000 total) enrolled agents that have been qualified to practice. The NAEA has affiliate offices in all states. Dues are $150 per year.

NAELA - National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. Established in 1987, this non-profit organization assists those who work with older clients and their families - including lawyers and bar organizations. As stated in its mission statement, the NAELA promotes, "improvement in substantive law, legal education, and ethical guidelines in serving older persons." Students receive pertinent information, qualified training and networking opportunities. Benefits include an annual symposium, the annual advanced institute, special interest groups and National Elder Week celebrations.

NAEPC - National Associatio of Estate Planners and Councils.  Each professional must complete an exam in his or her specialty. The NAEP introduced a new program format its national conference in November 1998. This association of about 1,200 members enhances the professionalism of estate planners and assists them to deal with the important issues that impact their clients, the consumer and the general society. It now incorporates a Web Partner Program for its member councils, and has joined an alliance with the American College to offer graduate-level courses as the education requirement for the AEP designation.

NAFIC - National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors. A professional and educational association with a membership of 6,000 fraternal insurance agents internationally. It hosts an annual conference with 200-400 registered attendees.

NAFEP - National Association of Financial and Estate Planning.  A private association guided by its Board of Advisors. It has an on-going trust & estate planning practice and a consulting service for its members. Approximately 200 people are members currently, but 50-100 have been added a year for the last couple of years. Members must be financial, accounting or legal professionals. Members are guided in estate planning, business planning, the law and taxation.

NAIBD - National Association of Independent Broker Dealers.  An organization of smaller independent broker dealers.

NAILBA - National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies. This non-profit trade association began in 1981 and serves the United States and North American life brokerage agencies. In Canada and the U.S., its 300 independent agencies serve 125,000 high performing agents. In order to gain membership, agencies have a license, have two years experience, have three or more companies they represent and have their primary business of selling life/health insurance directly to customers. A quarterly magazine, The NAILBA Magazine is a product of the association.

NAIC - National Association fo Insurance Commissioners.  The NAIC, established in 1871 by state insurance commissioners, provides a level of uniformity among individual states' regulatory activities, serves as a clearing house for information among each state, develops exceptional regulatory legislation to be approved by each state, and organizes political unity among the insurance commissioners of each state.

NAIFA - National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.  A U.S. based association of life insurance agents, multi-line agents and financial advisors. Coordinates with 50 state associations and 900 local associations. Holds a national annual conference and states hold similar events, usually of shorter duration. About 60,000 members. (Formerly NALU - National Association of Life Underwriters)

NAPFA - National Association of Personal Financial Advisors.  An organization of comprehensive Fee-Only financial planners.  NAPFA members are committed to the "three Cs" – comprehensiveness, competency, and compensation. Currently, NAPFA has approximately 700 members and affiliates.

NAPIA - National Association of Professional Insurance Agents. Members enjoy a Fax-on-demand service, hands-on training, networking, information resource center on the Web, PIA Newsline (online newsletter), discounts on software, and annual conventions. Its Governmental Affairs Department represents the legislative and regulatory interests of PIA members and customers before Congress, the Executive Branch and other governmental bodies. The association's mission is "to serve as your ultimate business resource."

NARA/MU - National Association of Review Appraisers & Mortgage Underwriters. Established in 1975, the NARA/MU is a non-profit organization of 1,200 members. It is dedicated to maintaining standards and promoting ongoing education in the fields of Appraisal Review Underwriting. Membership consists of international corporate thrifts, banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, law firms and private real estate. Included in some of the membership benefits are Guideline Booklets, Review Forms, Industry Updates, a Three-day Review Appraisal Conference and One- and Two-Day Seminars.

NASD - National Association of Securities Dealers. The NASD is the largest securities industry self-regulatory organization in this country. Through its subsidiaries, NASD Regulation, Inc., and The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., the NASD, provides a dispute resolution forum, develops rules and regulations, holds regulatory reviews of member activities, and creates, operates and regulates securities markets for the benefit of investors. The NASD manages the nation's 5,500 plus brokerage firms and more than 553,000 registered brokers.

NASAA - North American Securities Administrators Association. NASAA is the national organization representing 66 securities administrators from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, who are responsible for investor protection and regulatory oversight of the securities industry. NASAA recommends policies in the securities industry and provides model legislation and rule making for state securities agencies to adopt affecting the regulation of broker-dealers and investment advisers. In its non-regulatory role, NASAA works with the SEC to protect the interest of all investors in the securities markets, particularly individual investors.

NASBA - National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. NASBA, established in 1908, is the national organization of 54 state boards of accountancy in the U.S., the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NASBAs purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of state boards of accountancy. It encourages cooperation among the individual state boards of accountancy, analyzes major issues affecting the boards, and fosters relationships with organizations that impact the regulation of public accounting. 

NASRA - National Association of State Retirement Advisors. Members administer the state retirement systems for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Persons can become associate or affiliate members. Only 165 firms can become associate members, with their requirement being that they must work with governmental retirement systems, belong to a firm and could be transferred from that firm. Affiliates do not pay dues, can participate in conferences and are the administrators, staff and trustees of other public retirement systems.

NEFE - National Endowment for Financial Education. An independent, non-profit foundation dedicated to helping Americans acquire the information and gain the skills needed to make knowledgeable and positive decisions about their personal finances. The foundation accomplishes this mission by partnering with others to provide financial education to youth, segments of society with special needs, and the general public. NEFE is the former parent organization of the College of Financial Planning. A quarterly newsletter is available from the foundation at no charge.

NFA - National Futures Association. A Congressionally authorized self-regulatory organization of the futures industry, NFA is completely financed by the futures industry. No individual or firm may engage in any business that involves buying or selling futures contracts publicly without being a member. The mission of NFA is to provide innovative regulatory programs and services that ensure futures industry integrity, protect market participants and help our Members meet their regulatory responsibilities.

NHF - National Heritage Foundation. The NHF is a nonprofit charitable foundation whose purpose it to take on projects that "restore, maintain and extend out heritage of people making peoples' lives more meaningful." These projects could be religious, charitable, educational or scientific. The process is presenting the project's goals, reviewing of it by the board and then accepting if it falls within the purposes of the organization.

NICCP - National Institute of Certified College Planners.. Provides training, certification, support, and marketing assistance to financial planners and advisors wishing to add college planning to their portfolio of services and additional credibility to their resumes. NICCP confers the nation's only Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS) designation upon financial planners who successfully complete a comprehensive training program and demonstrate competency in college planning.

NICEP - National Institute of Certified Estate Planners. A non-profit association that provides educational and support services to estate planning professionals, including financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and trust officers. Conducts educational classes, provides an interchange between interested advisors and offers the public a web-based look-up procedure to locate a qualified advisor. NICEP awards the CEP designation.

NTSAA - National Tax Sheltered Annuity Association. An independent, non-profit group of about 800 financial advisors and about 30 corporate members who focus on TSA marketing and service - using both annuities and qualified mutual fund accounts. Established in 1989, the focus is on the 403(b) market. Conducts national and regional conferences and offers a bimonthly newsletter and other publications. Has chapters in several major cities. Offers a professional designation program (CSTSA) for specialists in tax sheltered accounts.

RFPI - Registered Financial Planners Institute. Formed in 1983, the Institute endorses courses from other educational resources. Affiliate members of the RFPI must complete coursework within two years and are given a subscription to a newsletter. The RFP designation is acquired when they have two years experience in their respective field, attend an Institute course or complete a similar program from another organization. A five-year designation is offered to applicants with at least five years of financial planning in their field.

SCRFA - Societh of Certified Retirement Financial Advisors.  An operation of NF Communications that awards the CRFA designation to persons completing a 3 1/2 day program and exam.

SCSA - Society of Certified Senior Advisors. In 1996, a select group of Geriatic MDs, gerontologists, elder law attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, and other experts on senior issues assisted with the formation of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. The Society provides continuing education addressing developments and research concerning seniors and how a CSA can best meet seniors' needs. Its members are required to stay current on new issues dealing with seniors. This is accomplished by meeting annual continuing education requirements.

SEC - Securities and Exchange Commission.  An independent, quasi-judicial U.S. government agency, the SEC was created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Its mission is to administer laws in the securities field and to protect investors and the public in securities transactions. The SEC has the authority to audit Registered Investment Advisers and registered representatives and bring enforcement actions against them if it believes they are violating any securities acts or other federal securities laws. Currently, 7,000 Registered Investment Advisers are registered with the SEC.

SFSP - Society of Financial Service Professionals. Formerly the American Society of CLU & ChFC. A professional membership organization with continuing education and ethical practice requirements. Members may hold designations such as CLU, ChFC, REBC or RHU. Some are specialists in personal financial planning, others in employee benefits, brokerage, law, accounting, business insurance or estate and business planning. It has sections for various specialties and local chapters in all major cities. SFSP has about 25,000 members.

SITE - Society of Insurance Trainers. An organization established in 1953 for insurance educators. Provides regional and national conferences and resources for training expertise to help its members. Produces a bimonthly newsletter.

TAN - The Advisor Network. A national group of financial advisors, TAN has 350 members. To avoid local competition and have geographic diversity, TAN limits membership to only one member per town or city. Its monthly publication, TAN Member News includes articles submitted by the TAN members along with their current market positions and favorite securities. It references any member who has been quoted, published or appeared on television.

TGIF - The Global Institute of Finance and Banking. The purpose of this program is to prepare graduates for management roles in the banking industry. The program is designed to meet the needs of banking organizations for people who have the knowledge and skills to perform complex management functions in a rapidly changing environment.