IMCA was established in 1985 to deliver the premier investment consulting and wealth management credentials and world-class educational offerings. IMCA provides a variety of resources to education and training providers, including a subscription to Education & Training Leader—an electronic compendium of industry-related news and information that addresses the field of financial services credentialing and presents additional information about IMCA’s knowledge offerings. IMCA also offers instructions for submitting your educational programs for non-IMCA-sponsored continuing education (CE) approval, as well as descriptions of IMCA educational offerings and links for your intranet sites.

For more than 20 years IMCA has been building and strengthening the CIMA certification—the only advanced certification designed specifically for investment consultants. In 2007 IMCA launched the CPWA certification, a credential created specifically for wealth management professionals who work with high-net-worth clients on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. Both of IMCA’s certification programs are built upon experience, education, examination, and ethical requirements.

In addition, IMCA has been working diligently to align the CIMA and CPWA certification programs with third-party accreditation standards. Accreditation is a lengthy process but, upon achievement, adds validity and value and will help communicate to others that IMCA’s certification meet high-quality, objective standards. For more information about the strength and value of IMCA’s certification programs, click the article titles below:

Focus on Certification Accreditation series, by Gary Diffendaffer, CFP^®, Investments & Wealth Monitor

• Experience Requirements and Why They Matter, November/December 2009
• Ethics, Codes, and Certifications, September/October 2009
• Education Programs and Their Providers are a Key Component to the Success of a Certification Program, July/August 2009
• Examinations: The Cornerstone of a Strong Certification, May/June 2009
• Accreditation: What Does it Mean?, March/April 2009

Pursuit of Third-Party Accreditation on the Horizon for More Financial Services Designations
By Catherine Newton, Investments & Wealth Monitor, September/October 2008

Update on Designations
By Edythe McClatchy Pahl, Investments & Wealth Monitor, March/April 2008