Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA®) is sending you this complimentary e-newsletter in appreciation of your support and interest in IMCA’s investment consulting and wealth management credentialing programs. E&T Leader is a compendium of industry-related news and information that addresses the field of financial services credentialing and presents additional information about IMCA’s knowledge offerings. If you would like to learn more, please e-mail Lara Davies or call 303.850.3081.

In this issue:

IMCA's CIMA® Designation Featured in BusinessWeek Online
BusinessWeek recently published their special report, “Financial Advisers: New Rules for Tough Times.” The CIMA designation is one of eight certifications spotlighted by the magazine, and one of only three designations recommended in the “Finding an Advisor You Can Trust” article. BusinessWeek Online has an average daily audience of about 90,000 readers.

IMCA continues to promote its offerings and designations to consumers. Due to our partnership with Barron’s magazine, a full-page advertisement for the CIMA designation ran in the February 16 issue. In addition, if your advisors are interested in promoting the CIMA designation to clients or potential clients, make sure they know about Make the Smart Move, our CIMA client brochure. Please e-mail Lara Davies or call at 303.850.3081 with questions.

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Changes to CIMA® Certification Take Effect July 1—Transition Resources Available Online
For the past couple of years IMCA has been preparing to apply for third-party accreditation of the CIMA designation. This requires changes to the program, which take effect on July 1, 2009. These changes build on the CIMA designation’s solid, 20-year foundation while increasing its value to stakeholders. For an overview of how these changes affect your advisors please download our Overview of Changes to CIMA Certification guide. You also can direct your advisors who want to know how these changes affect them to our CIMA/CIMC Transition Center. This site includes specific information about the changes and answers to the most frequently asked questions.

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Time Running Out for CIMA® Candidates-In-Process
This tumultuous economy has demonstrated the importance of attaining advanced, specialized education that will help ease client’s fears. Clients are looking for competence, credibility, and expertise, all of which are enhanced through IMCA’s CIMA certification program. With the changes coming to the CIMA certification process, current candidates will have a limited number of in-class education opportunities available to them throughout the remainder of 2009. The good news is that there are still 11 classes available in 2009 at either The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, or the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. If you know an advisor who is enrolled in the program, please encourage them to continue their progression through the certification process.

Enrollment Period Comes to Close for Final 2009 Chartered Private Wealth AdvisorSM (CPWASM) Designation Program
Enrollment Deadline is March 31, 2009!
In today’s current market environment, most advisors are struggling to find the best way to serve their clients. According to a study conducted in 2007 by The Wharton School of Business and State Street Global Advisors titled, “Bridging the Trust Divide: The Financial Adviser-Client Relationship,” the highest level of confidence is formed when the client has trust in the technical competence and know-how of the advisor. The reaction among most advisors is to respond to clients with extra communication, more information, and greater attention to the relationship. However, another option is for advisors to put their clients’ needs first by augmenting their own skills and knowledge. IMCA’s CPWA designation enables advisors to do just that—deepen skills and knowledge, while enhancing an advisor’s competence, credibility, and expertise.

The CPWA program is an advanced designation created specifically for financial advisors and consultants who work with high-net-worth clients on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. Candidates who attain this designation gain superior expertise in advanced wealth management content, strategies, and applied concepts. Learn why a current candidate recently said "I feel I've learned more in the last six months than I have in the last nine years.” Click here for program information and to download the application. For questions please e-mail Lara Davies or call 303.850.3081.

Also, as a way to promote this designation and to congratulate those who have taken their own professional development and growth seriously, be sure to check out the April 2009 issue of Wealth Manager magazine, which focuses on the top women in the industry. IMCA is running an advertisement congratulating the 36 women who have earned the CPWA designation.

IMCA Revitalizes Industry Spotlight "State of the Markets" Audio Conference Series
In an effort to continue to deliver on our promise to provide world-class educational content, and to help our members navigate through these unprecedented times, IMCA recently hosted the fourth installment of the complimentary IMCA Industry Spotlight State of the Markets audio conference series. Access the archived podcasts to join Jonathan Golub, CFA®, chief investment strategist at Golub Market Insights, as he explores the current state of affairs, potential outcomes to the crisis, and how to make better investment decisions amidst the chaos. Podcasts and presentation handouts can be accessed in the Ideas section of IMCA's Web site.

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IMCA Launches NEW Essentials of Investment Consulting Certificate Program
IMCA has developed a certificate program specifically for financial services professionals who wish to enhance their fundamental knowledge of core topics related to the investment consulting process. The IMCA Essentials of Investment Consulting learning platform incorporates a comprehensive set of educational content and self-evaluation tools into an online, self-study environment. There are 12 learning modules organized within an online learning center, with each module offering written educational content, a key themes discussion area, and an application assignment (along with a self-assessment tool). There also are three quizzes offered at three points during the 12-module online learning path, and several audio recordings presented by subject matter experts.

Learners can use the Essentials of Investment Consulting learning center in whatever way they choose:

  • As a resource for understanding topics that support the field of investment consulting
  • As a tool to help prepare for IMCA’s CIMA certification program
  • As a comprehensive certificate program

For more information click here or for questions and to discuss options for designing a custom Essentials of Investment Consulting certificate program for your firm, please e-mail Lara Davies or call 303.850.3081.

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IMCA Conferences Continue to Post Record Registration Numbers in First Quarter
One of the hallmarks of IMCA for the last 20 years has been its attention to improving the educational base of its members and offering them conferences in which they can gain leading-edge knowledge that sets them apart from their peers. At IMCA’s New York Consultants Conference, registration increased 19 percent to 818 attendees; and at the Spring Focus on Retirement Conference in San Antonio there were 327 attendees—well above expected levels. To see the complete 2009 conference calendar, click here.

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IMCA’s Disciplinary Rules and Procedures Revised
A task force of volunteers and IMCA staff have worked together to revise IMCA’s Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. The revisions have been approved by the Board of Directors and became effective on March 1, 2009. For a summary of changes, click here.

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The Definition of a Continuing Education (CE) Hour       
Effective January 1, 2009, IMCA’s Certification Committee approved a requirement that CE credit for events will be granted in one-hour-minimum increments. IMCA has defined “one hour” educational sessions as those lasting no fewer than 50 minutes. Therefore, all non-IMCA-sponsored sessions submitted for CE must be a minimum of 50 minutes in order to qualify for one hour of CE. For more information on CE rules and guidelines, click here.

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Intranet Links and Descriptions
Corporate training departments can access quick links and short descriptions of IMCA's educational programs, designations, and other investment consulting and wealth management offerings on IMCA's Training Resources Web page.
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IMCA—Investment Management Consultants Association delivers the premier investment consulting and wealth management designations and world-class educational offerings through membership, conferences, and publications.

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