Site Disclosures
Advisory services offered by United Capital Financial Advisors, LLC (“United Capital”), a registered investment adviser. How we are compensated by you may change over time and will depend on various factors. Please ask questions and refer to United Capital’s publicly available Form ADV where applicable.
United Capital makes recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. Clients should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph, or marketing piece to make decisions. Investing involves risk, and investments may lose value. There are no investment strategies that guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Any investment advisory services are provided pursuant to the terms of your agreement with United Capital or an affiliate or a third party investment adviser, as applicable.
United Capital does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Clients should obtain their own independent legal, tax, or accounting advice based on their particular circumstances.
The information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only, is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, and should not be considered investment advice. The material is based upon information which we consider reliable, but we do not represent that such information is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. The information, data, analyses, and opinions contained herein include confidential and proprietary portfolio information of United Capital, may not be copied or redistributed for noncommercial or personal purpose without United Capital’s expressed permission.
All names, logos, and slogans identifying United Capital or United Capital’s products and services (including, without limitation, HonestConversations®, MoneyMind®, FinLife®, Financial Control Scorecard®, Live Richly℠, We Help You Live Richly℠, Helping People Live Richly®, One Best Financial Life®, Ideal Life Index®, GuideCenter®, InvestmentViewfinder℠, United Capital Financial Life Management®, and Financial Years of Freedom℠) are trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks and service marks of United Capital or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
Certifications and Designations
The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation is issued by the Center for Fiduciary Studies. To qualify for the designation, candidates must meet a certain level of education, have relevant industry background and/or have relevant professional development. AIF® candidates also need to complete a training program and pass a closed book proctored examination. To maintain the designation, six hours of continuing education is required each year.
The Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® (AIFA®) designation is issued by the Center for Fiduciary Studies. To qualify for the designation, candidates must have the AIF designation in addition to meeting other requirements. AIFA® candidates also need to complete a three-day classroom program and pass a closed book examination. To maintain the designation, ten hours of continuing education is required each year.
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation is issued by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”). To qualify for the designation, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and satisfy the required full-time or part-time experience criteria. Candidates also need to complete an appropriate CFP Board registered program or have an existing, approved designation in addition to passing a proctored examination. To maintain the designation, thirty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
The Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation is issued by the CFA Institute. To qualify for the designation, candidates must meet a certain level of education, have relevant industry background and/or have relevant professional development along with having two or three professional references. Candidates also need to complete a self-study program and pass three in-person, closed book proctored examinations. There currently is not a continuing education requirement to maintain the designation though they must register annually to maintain the designation and the CFA Institute recommends twenty hours of continuing education.
The Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation is issued by The American College of Financial Services. To qualify for the designation, candidates must have three years of relevant work experience within the last five years and have a high school diploma (or equivalent). Candidates also need to complete eight self-study online courses, each of which is followed by an examination. To maintain the designation, thirty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
The Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation is issued by The American College of Financial Services. To qualify for the designation, candidates must have three years of relevant work experience and have a high school diploma (or equivalent). Candidates also need to complete three online self-study courses and pass a closed book proctored examination. To maintain the designation, thirty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
The Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) designation is issued by The American College of Financial Services. To qualify for the designation, candidates must have three years of relevant work experience within the last five years. Candidates also need to complete four core courses and one elective course as well as pass a closed book proctored examination. To maintain the designation, thirty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
The Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation is issued by the Investments & Wealth Institute. To qualify for the designation, candidates must have three years of financial services experience. Candidates also need to complete coursework from specific education providers and pass a closed book proctored examination. To maintain the designation, forty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation is issued by The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). To qualify for the designation, candidates must be an AICPA member, hold an unrevoked CPA license and have at least two years of full-time teaching or business experience (or 3000 hours) in personal financial planning within five years of applying. Candidates also need to complete seventy-five hours of personal financial planning education within five years of applying and pass a final examination. To maintain the designation, sixty hours of continuing education is required every three years.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is issued by The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. To qualify for the designation, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and meet state specific criteria. Candidates must also have relevant business experience and pass an examination. To maintain the designation, continuing education is required, typically every two years, however CE is state specific.
The Accredited Retirement Plan Consultant (ARPC) designation is issued by The SPARK Institute and The Retirement Advisor University (TRAU). To qualify for the designation, candidates must have one year of full-time experience in Financial Services along with a recommendation from their current work supervisor. Candidates may complete optional online courses and must pass an online, proctored closed book examination. To maintain the designation, ten hours of continuing education is required annually.
The Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC) designation is issued by the Investment Advisor Association. To qualify for the designation, candidates must be a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Candidates must also be employed with a member firm for at least one year and have five years of experience working in a relevant profession. There currently is not a continuing education requirement to maintain the designation.
The Enrolled Agent (EA) designation is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To qualify for the designation, candidates must pass a background check. Candidates must either pass a written exam or have relevant IRS experience. To maintain the designation seventy-eight course of continuing education is required over a three-year period, completing a minimum of sixteen hours per year.
The Master Financial Planner (MFP) designation is issued by the Global Academy of Finance & Management (GAFM). To qualify for the designation, candidates must have either a qualifying degree from a CHEA recognized program, complete GAFM approved training program or hold an approved graduate degree/license. Candidates must also have three years of relevant work experience. To maintain the designation, fifteen hours of continuing education is required annually.
The Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation is issued by the College for Financial Planning® – a Kaplan Company. To qualify for the designation, candidates must complete an online self-study course and pass an online, closed-book exam. To maintain the designation 16 hours of continuing education must be completed every two years.
The Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™ (CRPS™) designation is issued by the College for Financial Planning® – a Kaplan Company. To qualify for the designation, candidates must complete an online self-study course and pass an online, closed-book exam. To maintain the designation 16 hours of continuing education must be completed every two years.