The ABCs of Insurance and Financial Designations

Once you find an independent advisor you’re comfortable with, you may notice that there are letters after his or her name. These are designations that the advisor has received as a result of successfully completing insurance and financial-related courses.

What do the designations mean? Here is a list of some of the more common current designations you may see.

CFP

CFP stands for Certified Financial Planner, the internationally recognized designation awarded in Canada by Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC). Individuals who meet FPSC's rigorous certification requirements in education, experience, examination and ethics are licensed to use the CFP trademarks on an annual basis. There are currently more than 13,000 individuals in Canada who have earned this professional distinction and 57,000 around the world.

CH.F.C.

CH.F.C. stands for Chartered Financial Consultant. Individuals who obtain the CFP designation, then pass seven additional courses in the areas of personal finance and retirement planning, are granted this designation by Advocis (The Financial Advisors Association of Canada).

CLU

CLU stands for Chartered Life Underwriter. Individuals who obtain the CFP designation, then pass seven additional courses in the areas of insurance and estate planning, are granted this designation by Advocis. 

Fin. Pl.

Fin. Pl. stands for Financial Planner. In the province of Quebec, this designation is granted to individuals who have earned both the CFP and CLU designations.

FLMI

FLMI stands for Fellow, Life Management Institute. Individuals who pass 10 university-level examinations (LOMA courses) covering various aspects of life and heath insurance are granted this designation by the Life Office Management Association.

CEBS

CEBS stands for Certified Employee Benefit Specialist. Individuals who pass 10 university level exams covering various aspects of health and welfare, retirement, human resources, compensation and other topics related to employee benefits will be granted this designation by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

RHU

A Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) is a professional financial advisor specializing in living benefts including income replacement and risk management solutions for individuals, business owners and professionals. The RHU designation is the only designation in Canada denoting specialized knowledge in all areas of living benefits and is offered through Advocis.


Financial Planners Standards Council
Advocis - The Financial Advisors Association of Canada
Life Office Management Association
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Independent Financial Brokers




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