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Top Financial Planning Credentials and Top Finance Certifications for Bankers and Investment Professionals

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A financial analyst or financial planner typically prepares financial plans for his or her clients. The kinds of services financial planners offer can vary widely. Some financial planners assess every aspect of your financial life—including saving, investments, insurance, taxes, retirement, and estate planning—and help you develop a detailed strategy or financial plan for meeting all your financial goals. Other professionals call themselves financial planners, but they may only be able to recommend that you invest in a narrow range of products and sometimes products that aren’t securities.

Wealth Managers and Financial planners may come from many different educational and professional backgrounds. If you’re considering using a financial planner, be sure to ask about their background. If they have a credential, ask them what it means and what they had to do to earn it.  If the certification holder attended a nationally-accredited business school, that is the best method of certification. If they attended an ACBSP or ABA American Bar accredited program and took the proper exams and courses, then that would be the best type of accreditation.

Some financial planners have credentials like CWM Chartered Wealth Manager ® certification or AFA Accredited Financial Analyst ®. Find out what organization issued the credential, and then contact the organization to verify whether the professional you’re considering did, in fact, earn the credential and whether the professional remains in good standing with the organization. For a helpful list of various financial industry credentials (including the name of the issuing organization and any education or experience required to attain the credential), please read FINRA’s Understanding Investment Professional Designations.

If the professional you’re considering claims to be an MFP® certified, visit the website of the Global Board of Standards at www.GAFM.com The Board is an accredited regulatory body that licenses financial planners as MFP® professionals.  You can also call the Board at www.GAFM.org   The Master Financial Planner ®  International Board of Standards also has brochures and information about their accreditation and ISO certifications.

Quick Facts: Personal Financial Advisors from the BLS.gov
2018 Median Pay $88,890 per year
$42.73 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Long-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2018 271,700
Job Outlook, 2018-28 7% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2018-28 19,100

 

Here are the Top Financial qualifications that are backed by accredited education:

 

  1. MFP Master Financial Planner ® awarded by the International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and  ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body.   Anyone with a business school degree from an ACBSP or AACSB accredited school can apply for MFP if they have 5 or more courses in investments, finance, tax or economics with a GPA of 3.0 www.GAFM.org    Accreditation:  TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001.  This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
  2. CWM Chartered Wealth Manager ®  awarded by the International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and  ISO Certified 29990  and EU Accredited Body.    www.GAFM.com  This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school.  Accreditation:  TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
  3. RIA Registered Investment Advisor license:  If you work in a brokerage firm, the investment division of a bank or in an insurance company, you may be required to hold a Series 7 Stock Broker license or a Series 65 or 66 so that you can charge a fee for financial planning.
  4. CRA Certified Risk Analyst ®  awarded by the GAFM International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and  ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body.  www.FinancialAnalyst.org  This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school.  Accreditation:  TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
  5. Attorney or Law License – State License – Typically somebody who has experience in Tax, Retirement Law, or Estate Planning.  www.americanbar.org
  6. Chartered Financial Manager (ChFM) awarded by the Global Academy, LA, USA.  www.FinancialCertified.com  This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school.  Accreditation:  TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. Recognized by the Arab Academy of the Arab League.  This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
  7. CPA Certified Public Accountant – Regulated by State Government  or AICPA https://nasba.org/licensure/gettingacpalicense/
  8. AFA Accredited Financial Analyst ®  awarded by the International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and  ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body.   www.FinancialAnalyst.org  This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school.  Accreditation:  TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.
  9. Certified Financial Planner ®  awarded by the CFP Board.  No GPA requirements. www.cfp.com  Must pass the assessment.
  10. AMA Accredited Management Accountant ®  awarded by the GAFM International Board of Standards which is a TUV Accredited and  ISO Certified 9001 and EU Accredited Body.   www.GAFM.org  This certification can be obtained by attending an ACBSP or AACSB Business School and taking the exams and courses or by taking the required courses at an accredited law school.  Accreditation:  TUV Accredited and ISO Certified 29990 and ISO Certified 9001. This body is a Charter Member of the CHEA quality standards.

When hiring a financial planner, you should know exactly what services you need, what services the planner can deliver, and any limitations on what he or she can recommend. In addition, you should understand what services you’re paying for, how much those services cost, and how the planner gets paid. See a list of Top Financial Designations  Financial planners charge for their services in different ways: some charge either a fixed fee or an hourly fee for the time it takes to develop a financial plan, but don’t sell investment products; some are paid by commissions on the products they sell; and others use a combination of fees and commissions.

It is always best to seek certification from an accredited body that has either TUV or ISO certification.  Also, check if your certification body is part of the CHEA quality standards protocols.

 

Matthew Ronald grew up in Chicago. His mother is a preschool teacher, and his father is a cartoonist. After high school Matthew attended college where he majored in early-childhood education and child psychology. After college he worked with special needs children in schools. He then decided to go into publishing, before becoming a writer himself, something he always had an interest in. More than that, he published number of news articles as a freelance author on apstersmedia.com.

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Artificial Intelligence’s Function in Changing Worker Engagement in the Digital Age

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The emergence of the digital age has brought about a transformation in business operations and employee engagement as a result of the pervasive usage of technology in all facets of business. Businesses in the modern knowledge economy understand that employee engagement is essential to their success because it has a direct impact on customer satisfaction, productivity, and innovation. In this context, organizations are redefining employee engagement thanks to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), which is also enabling creative methods of cooperation, communication, and productivity.

AI is redefining employee engagement, which means that workers will have greater power in the future. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly boost productivity and overall business performance through improving communication, offering personalized experiences, delivering predictive insights, augmenting learning and development, and fostering employee well-being. Organizations that successfully use AI to engage their will have a distinct competitive advantage in the future in the increasingly digital business environment.

Artificial Intelligence is being used in many offices as a revolutionary tool that is changing the way workers interact, communicate, and work together.

AI has the potential to transform employee engagement in the following specific areas by fostering a learning and development (L&D) culture:

Customizing the Work Experience for Employees: Artificial Intelligence helps to create a more individualized work environment by interpreting work habits, preferences, and feedback. Furthermore, organizations can raise employee satisfaction and engagement levels by tailoring benefits, development, and communication plans to the needs of their workforce.

Increasing Communication: It’s common knowledge that AI-powered chatbots provide real-time assistance, respond to inquiries, and give staff members 24/7 self-service options. AI may also analyze communication patterns to identify problem areas and recommend appropriate solutions to get rid of possible obstacles to employee productivity. It is also possible to automate regular HR tasks like payroll processing, benefit administration, and appointment scheduling. By doing this, HR specialists are able to devote more of their bandwidth to important tasks like employee engagement.

Enhancing L&D: Powered by AI, personalised training content can help transform the learning process, helping match employees’ skills, interests and professional goals more efficiently. Besides augmenting the learning experience, it empowers employees to take complete charge of their career growth.

Promoting Predictive Analytics: By discovering certain trends and patterns in employee behaviour, AI ensures organisations can proactively address issues that could impact engagement. For instance, AI could predict employees who are likely to leave the organisation, providing an opportunity for timely intervention to improve retention. What’s more, as per their skills, past performance and interests, AI could even recommend alternative career paths.

Providing Improved worker well-being: Artificial intelligence (AI) can evaluate worker well-being by examining data related to workload, stress, and work-life balance. Implementing programs that support a healthy workplace culture and provide individualised choices may also increase employee engagement levels. Research indicates that almost 70% of workers feel more at ease conversing with artificial intelligence than with people. Furthermore, AI can assist staff members in overcoming persistent obstacles by anticipating cases of burnout.

Fostering an Inclusive work Environment: AI will eventually be in a position to eliminate unconscious biases in decision-making. Employee productivity will increase and workplace happiness will increase as a result. Offices can become more efficient and raise employee satisfaction levels by encouraging a diverse and inclusive work environment.

In summary,

Artificial Intelligence has a lot of potential to redefine employee engagement. Organizations must, however, be mindful of a number of issues, including data privacy and ethics, as AI continues to advance and find new applications. Businesses using AI-powered tools must ensure sufficient transparency when using employee data and respect individuals’ privacy.

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Rico Suarez’s Journey: From Gig Worker to CEO Transforming the Moving Industry with Muvr

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Introduction

In today’s dynamic gig economy, the story of Rico Suarez stands out as a beacon of innovation, determination, and transformative leadership. From humble beginnings as a gig worker in the moving industry, Rico’s journey to founding Muvr and becoming its CEO encapsulates the essence of entrepreneurial spirit. This detailed exploration uncovers how Rico’s firsthand experiences shaped a tech company revolutionizing the gig economy and moving services.

The Genesis of an Idea

Rico’s foray into the moving industry began in the bustling streets of Los Angeles, where he quickly identified the sector’s systemic inefficiencies. The challenges were manifold: unpredictable work hours, lack of transparency in job assignments and earnings, and the physical toll of moving tasks. Yet, it was within these challenges that Rico saw the potential for radical innovation.

Early Struggles and Epiphanies

Working various gigs, Rico encountered the common pitfalls of the gig economy—irregular income, minimal job security, and no clear path for growth. These experiences, however, didn’t dishearten him; they ignited a resolve to create a better system not only for himself but for others in similar situations.

Engage with Rico’s journey on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Laying the Foundation for Muvr

The concept for Muvr was born from Rico’s vision to streamline the moving process with technology, thereby enhancing efficiency, transparency, and worker satisfaction. This vision was ambitious: a platform that could offer reliable moving services to customers while providing gig workers with stable work opportunities, fair compensation, and respect for their labor.

From Concept to Reality

The road from concept to reality was fraught with hurdles. Building a tech platform required resources, technical expertise, and industry partnerships that Rico initially didn’t have. Determined, he immersed himself in learning about technology, business management, and the intricacies of the moving industry.

The foundational principles of Muvr were simple yet revolutionary:

  • Empowerment: Giving gig workers control over their schedules and earnings.
  • Transparency: Clear pricing and policies for customers and movers alike.
  • Efficiency: Leveraging technology to optimize moving processes.

Growing Pains and Milestones

As Muvr transitioned from startup to tech innovator in the moving industry, Rico faced numerous challenges. Each obstacle, from securing initial funding to scaling operations across Los Angeles and beyond, provided valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability.

Building a Team and Community

Key to Muvr’s growth was assembling a team that shared Rico’s vision. By fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, Muvr quickly became more than a company—it became a community. This sense of belonging and shared purpose has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of the gig economy and moving industry.

Discover the Muvr story and Rico’s vision.

Innovations and Impact

Under Rico’s leadership, Muvr introduced several industry-first innovations, from an app that matched customers with movers in real-time to initiatives aimed at improving gig workers’ well-being. Each innovation reinforced Muvr’s commitment to changing the moving experience for everyone involved.

A New Paradigm in Moving

Muvr’s impact extends beyond logistical improvements; it has fundamentally altered how customers view moving services and how workers perceive their roles within the gig economy. Through Muvr, moving has become not just a service but an experience characterized by dignity, respect, and mutual trust.

Rico Suarez Today: Visionary and Leader

Today, Rico Suarez is celebrated not just as a successful CEO but as a visionary who continues to inspire with his commitment to innovation, community, and the future of work. His journey from gig worker to industry leader with Muvr serves as a powerful narrative of what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

The Road Ahead

The future looks bright for Rico and Muvr, with plans for expansion, new services, and continued advocacy for gig workers. As the moving industry evolves, Rico’s journey remains a guiding light, showcasing the transformative power of empathy, innovation, and unwavering determination.

Stay connected with Rico and follow his endeavors on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Delta Unveils NVIDIA Omniverse Digital Twin and Efficient AI Server Solutions at GTC

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At the NVIDIA GPU Technology Conference (GTC), Delta, a provider of Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart green solutions, showcased its cutting-edge digital twin platform, which was created on NVIDIA Omniverse with the goal of improving its smart manufacturing capabilities. Exhibited also was Delta’s ORV3 artificial intelligence (AI) server infrastructure solution, which boasts 97.5% efficient power supplies and an extensive range of state-of-the-art DC/DC converters, power chokes, and 3D vapor chambers to facilitate GPU operations.

“We are honored to be the only provider of power and thermal management solutions at NVIDIA GTC 2024,” stated Mark Ko, vice chairman of Delta. “We showcased the NVIDIA Omniverse-powered digital twin we have developed, which underscores our superior expertise in next-generation electronics manufacturing. Using the newest technologies, we are eager to contribute to pushing the envelope on energy efficiency in the field of artificial intelligence.”

Digital twins and synthetic data, which can increase productivity and efficiency before actual production begins, are hallmarks of the new era of AI-powered manufacturing, according to Rev Lebaredian, vice president of NVIDIA’s Omniverse and simulation technologies. Delta is able to virtually connect individual production lines and compile data from a variety of devices and systems in order to construct a digital twin of its business processes by building its digital platform on NVIDIA Omniverse. It can also create artificial data using NVIDIA Isaac Sim to train its computer models to 90% accuracy.

Delta utilizes NVIDIA’s state-of-the-art technologies to assist in enabling GPU ecosystems’ energy efficiency. At NVIDIA GTC, Delta is showcasing an integrated Open Rack Version 3 (ORV3) solution for AI server infrastructure with server power supplies that have an energy efficiency as high as 97.5%. This is in addition to the NVIDIA Omniverse-based digital twin, which the company applies to specific production lines. SD-WAN, ORV3 18 kW/33 kW HPR power shelves, battery backup unit, mini UPS, and a liquid cooling system are additional components of the solution. Common redundant power supply units with 54 V DC output are also included. Included in the showcase was a broad range of GPU ecosystem-supporting DC/DC converters, power chokes, and 3D vapor chambers.

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