Designations

About the ASC

Wondering about the letters and designations listed after the names of those you deal with (or are thinking about dealing with) in the finances and securities industry?

Learn more by searching through the list below – it contains some of the more common designations, memberships and training that you may come across.

Note:

  • While many of these listed designations may indicate a certain degree of knowledge, education or experience, the list is not exhaustive and none of these designations are approved or endorsed by the ASC. If you encounter any designation, including the ones on this list, always verify the person’s qualifications before seeking their investment advice.
  • Designations, the requirements for qualification and the institutions that offer/grant them change periodically - please consult the offering institution for the most up-to-date information and to verify that the person you are dealing with is in good standing.

Designation/Credentials 

More information
AACI - Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute
 Appraisal Institute of Canada 
CA - Chartered Accountant1  Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta 
CAIA -Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst  Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA Association) 
CA∙IFA - Investigative and Forensic Accounting  Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta 
CAMS - Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist  Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
CBV - Chartered Business Valuator  Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators (CICBV) 
CFA - Chartered Financial Analyst  CFA Institute 
CFE - Certified Fraud Examiner  Association of  Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) 
CFP - Certified Financial Planner
 Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC)® 
CGA - Certified General Accountant1  CGA Alberta
CIA - Certified Internal Auditor  The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) 
CIM - Chartered Investment Manager  CSI Global Education  
CIPM - Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement  CFA Institute 
CIWM - Certified International Wealth Manager CSI Global Education  
CMA - Certified Management Accountant1
 Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta 
CPA <(State, USA)> - Certified Public Accountant (U.S.)*
 American Institute of CPAs 
CPA - Chartered Professional Accountant (Canada)1  Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta 
CRA - Canadian Residential Appraiser
 Appraisal Institute of Canada 
FRM - Financial Risk Manager  Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) 
ICD.D - Corporate Director  Institute of Corporate Directors 
J.D. - Juris Doctor (Canada)2  University degree – various providers 
LL.B. - Bachelor of Laws (Canada)2
 University degree – various providers
LPA - Licensed Public Accountant1 CMA Canada 
MBA - Master of Business Administration  University level graduate degree – various providers 
MTI - Estate and Trust Professional  CSI Global Education  
PFP - Personal Financial Planner
 CSI Global Education  
PRM - Professional Risk Manager
 Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA) 
Q.C. - Queen’s Counsel  Appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (as advised by the Minister of Justice/ Attorney General) 
R.F.P. - Registered Financial Planner  Institute of Advanced Financial Planners 
T.E.P. - Trust and Estate Practitioner
 Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP Canada) 
Notes:
1   Canada's accounting profession is united under a new single designation, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). The profession's national body, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), represents and supports more than 190,000 members across the country. CPAs are valued for their financial and tax expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, management skills and leadership. CPA Canada has consolidated the operations of three national accounting bodies: The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Certified General Accountants of Canada and The Society of Management Accountants of Canada. This has resulted in the merging of the CA, CGA and CMA designations in Canada into one CPA designation. For more information, visit www.cpacanada.ca.
2  To determine if an individual is entitled to practice law in a specific jurisdiction, contact the local law society for that jurisdiction. 

Fellowship 

More information 
FCS I- Fellow of CSI
 CSI Fellowship - CSI Global Education 
FCA - Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants  Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta
FCGA - Fellow of the Certified General Accountants’ Association
 Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta 
FCMA - Fellow of the Certified Management Accountants’ Association  Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta 

Previously granted credentials –
CSI Global Education 

More information 
AICB - Associate, Institute of Canadian Bankers                                
 Previously Granted - CSI Global Education 
CIF - Canadian Investment Finance 
 Previously Granted - CSI Global Education 
DMS - Derivatives Market Specialist
 Previously Granted - CSI Global Education 
FICB - Fellow, Institute of Canadian Bankers
 Previously Granted – CSI Global Education
FMA - Financial Management Advisor 
 Previously Granted - CSI Global Education 
SME - Small Medium Enterprise 
 Previously Granted - CSI Global Education 
STI - Specialty, Trust Institute Diploma  Previously Granted - CSI Global Education