New Aite Study Finds CIMA Advisor Performance Significantly Outpaces Non-CIMA Advisors

Investments & Wealth Institute released research results this week from a study conducted by the Aite Group, exploring how the Certified Investment Management Analyst^® (CIMA^®) certification correlates with practice success and career satisfaction for financial advisors.

The Institute’s study, “The Value of CIMA Certification to an Advisor’s Practice,” gathered input from 436 advisors, including 104 with a CIMA certification, between April and May 2017. What they found was that more than 60 percent of CIMA-certified professionals surveyed indicated that their CIMA certification had a considerable impact on their knowledge of investment management, gave them greater confidence in providing investment advice to high-net-worth clients, and strengthened their ability to manage their clients’ investments – earning them greater trust and satisfaction from their clients.

More specifically, the research demonstrated:

• CIMA advisors in solo practices generate about five times the assets per client than those in non-CIMA practices,
• CIMA practitioners garner more assets per client at a rate 2.9 times higher than non-CIMA advisors,
• Advisors that attained the CIMA certification collectively manage $385 million in client assets on average, and generate $1.9 million in revenue.

One of the most important benefits advisors see in obtaining their CIMA certification is the credibility and expertise it confers. Compared to other financial advisor designations, CIMA professionals’ satisfaction with their education ranks higher, with 54 percent of CIMA professionals strongly agreeing that obtaining their certification was well worth their time and effort, compared to 51 percent of CFP^® holders, 41 percent of CFA^® holders and 31 percent of CPA/PFS^TMholders.

Offered since 1988, CIMA certification is the peak international, technical portfolio construction certification program designed for investment consultants, analysts, financial advisors and wealth management professionals. The CIMA certification program is currently offered through The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Yale School of Management, and the University of Technology-Sydney. It is currently the only financial advisor designation in the U.S. to meet international accreditation standards (ANSI/ISO 17024) for personnel certification.

If you are considering the CIMA certification, it’s time to get started. Visit the CIMA Certification page for more information.