What Do Financial Advisor Designations Mean?

When choosing a financial advisor, you’re often faced with a string of unfamiliar letters after someone’s name. These designations tell a story about the advisor’s training and areas of expertise. But they can also feel a bit like alphabet soup.

To help bring it to life, let’s introduce you to two of our own wealth managers. Tim Harvey and Laura Mertz are among the many Aspiriant professionals who have earned these credentials. Their paths reflect the care and dedication behind the letters and what they ultimately mean for the families we serve.

Credentialed fiduciary advisors at Aspiriant

Tim took an intentional path into wealth management. Rather than focus on sales early in his career, he chose to build technical expertise, enrolling in post-graduate coursework and the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) program right after college.

“For me, earning the CFA® designation helped me launch my career and gain a tremendous understanding of portfolio management and investment analysis,” Tim shares. “Seeking to deepen connections with clients and play a more active role in their lives, the broader financial planning focus of the CFP® was the natural next step in my professional evolution.”

A decade later, after leading investment strategy at both institutional and wealth management firms, he pursued the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) certification to build closer relationships with clients and offer more holistic guidance.

“Just as no two people are exactly alike, the same is true of wealth strategies,” he says. “At Aspiriant, we tailor our approach to each client. The ability to empathize with clients who are new to planning, and also speak to the needs of experienced investors, is a powerful combination.”

In March 2024, Laura passed the rigorous CFP® exam — a key milestone on her journey to becoming a Certified Financial Planner professional. This achievement reflects her commitment to mastering comprehensive financial planning and making a meaningful difference in her clients’ lives.

“Studying for the CFP® helped me think deeply about the kind of advisor I want to be — one who listens closely and provides thoughtful, reliable guidance,” Laura says. “It’s an honor to grow with a firm that invests in our development and empowers us to put our clients’ interests first.”

Laura and Tim’s dedication to the profession and to the families they serve reflects the broader commitment shared across our team. At Aspiriant, every wealth manager pursues excellence not just through credentials but through the care, clarity and long-term partnership we bring to each client relationship.

Meet our credentialed team

What financial advisor designations like CFP®, CFA® and CPA really mean

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
If you’re approaching retirement, deciding between a pension payout or a lump sum, or thinking about setting up a college fund for your grandchild, a CFP® can help guide you through it. They are trained in holistic financial planning across investments, retirement, insurance, estate planning, education and tax strategies. Many serve as the “quarterback” of your financial team — helping you prioritize goals and coordinate across all aspects of your financial life.

Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
CFA charterholders are considered the gold standard in investment analysis and portfolio management. They excel at building globally diversified portfolios, conducting investment research and managing risk. If you have complex assets or equity compensation, working with a CFA can bring discipline and insight to your investment plan.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
As your net worth grows, so do the stakes around taxes. CPAs help prepare tax filings, project future liabilities and navigate estate or business tax matters. They’re also skilled in coordinating personal and business financial goals — especially for entrepreneurs or business owners.

Enrolled Agent (EA)
EAs are federally licensed by the IRS and specialize in tax preparation and representation. While their scope is narrower than CPAs, they are helpful for clients seeking efficient and compliant tax return preparation.

CIMA® and CAIA® Designations
Other designations bring deeper investment specialization:

• Certified Investment Management Analyst CIMA professionals focus on portfolio construction, investment policy and due diligence.
• Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) charterholders specialize in alternative investments like hedge funds, private equity and real estate.

Estate Planning Attorneys (Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation)
When it’s time to think about your legacy, attorneys play a key role. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required to practice law and draft documents like wills and trusts. Some attorneys also pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation to deepen their knowledge of wealth transfer and tax planning strategies. Aspiriant collaborates with legal professionals to ensure your estate plan reflects your values and goals.

Why financial advisor credentials matter when choosing a fiduciary

Designations aren’t just letters. They represent that a financial advisor has met rigorous standards in education, experience and ethics — and, in many cases, committed to acting in your best interest.

As a registered investment adviser (RIA), Aspiriant adheres to the fiduciary standard. That’s different from broker-dealers, who follow a suitability standard. Under suitability, recommendations must be appropriate but aren’t required to be the best or most cost-effective option for you.

Not all financial advisors are fiduciaries. Understanding the difference between a fiduciary and a financial advisor can help you choose a trusted partner and make confident decisions about your financial future.

What financial advisor credentials cover

Sorting Through the Financial Advisor Alphabet Soup — What do they do?
Aspiriant’s Wealth of Talent

*In addition to the professional credentials above, Aspiriant is proud to have 28 team members with Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees and two professionals who hold the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation.

When credentialed fiduciary advisors make a difference

Designations like CFP®, CFA® and CPA might seem like small letters, but they reflect years of education, experience and a commitment to acting in your best interest. They also show up in very real ways. When you’re deciding how to retire, selling a business or preparing to pass on wealth.

Here are just a few moments when the right credentialed advisor can make all the difference:

Planning for retirement with a fiduciary CFP® advisor

You’re winding down a career, weighing pension options and wondering if you’ve saved enough to retire comfortably. At the same time, you want to support your new grandchild’s education. Financial planning for retirees often includes evaluating pensions, income needs and multi-generational goals like college savings for grandchildren. A CFP® can help you make confident decisions across all of it — prioritizing your goals and building a multi-generational wealth management strategy that reflects your family’s values.

Tax strategy for entrepreneurs with a CPA advisor

As your company grows, so does the complexity of your financial picture. For business owners and tech professionals, working with a wealth management firm that understands equity compensation, business succession and integrated tax planning is critical. A CPA can help you navigate personal and business tax planning, integrate your estate goals, and spot opportunities to reduce future liabilities. For business owners, a CPA’s dual lens on finances can be especially valuable.

Managing equity compensation and investments with a CFA®

You’ve built wealth through equity compensation or private business interests and want a disciplined, thoughtful investment strategy. Financial planning for tech professionals or executives with stock options, RSUs or private investments requires specialized guidance. A CFA® can help integrate it all. They bring deep knowledge in portfolio construction and risk management — helping ensure your investments align with your long-term vision.

Estate planning and wealth transfer with a legal advisor

You’re ready to make decisions about your estate — how assets will be distributed, who will manage them, and how to avoid unnecessary taxes or conflict. An estate planning attorney with a J.D. — and sometimes an LL.M. in Taxation — can help design a plan that reflects your values and protects what matters most.

Looking for a fiduciary financial advisor?

Our integrated wealth planning approach with our talented and credentialed financial advisors brings together investment management, tax strategy, estate planning and wealth planning — so you get a coordinated plan from a credentialed team that understands your full financial picture.

We invite you to explore:
• Our People
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Or better yet, talk with us. We’d love to hear about your goals and explore how we can help bring them to life.