Written by Smart Investor | 17 January 2012

AIFA^® stands for Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst™ and it's a sign that your financial advisor pursues the highest possible standards of fiduciary excellence. Retirement plan sponsors who want to do right by their employees should seek a financial advisor who holds the AIFA designation.

AIFA^® and Your Company's Retirement Plan

Your employees have a better chance of retiring with dignity if your defined contribution retirement plan is overseen by a holder of the AIFA. Why? Because if your plan is managed properly, there's a higher likelihood that the plan will deliver good results.

AIFA designees apply the rigorous best practices for 401(k) plans that have been developed by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX). CEFEX has put these best practices into an easy-to-use format to ensure consistency and improve the overall retirement plan fiduciary decision-making process.

You may be familiar with ISO standards for ensuring manufacturing excellence. AIFA credential holders bring the same high standards to systematically and efficiently reviewing your 401(k). It's important to be systematic so we don't miss any problems. Efficiency helps us keep costs low.

AIFA Designee Strengths and Fiduciary Standards

Here's how fi360, which provides training for the AIFA designation , sums up the AIFA designee's strengths:

AIFA designees' primary function is to perform, or assist in, assessments of an Investment Steward's, Advisor's, or Manager's conformance to a Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence using fi360's ISO-like procedure of assessment. AIFA designees possess the ability and knowledge to advise clients of deficiencies in investment processes. It is also the required mark to perform a CEFEX Fiduciary Certification, the independent recognition of a fiduciary's conformity to all fiduciary Practices and Criteria.

Not just anyone can become an AIFA designee. They must:

• Satisfy educational and work experience prerequisites, including earning the AIF designation
• Complete specialized training and pass a comprehensive examination
• Annually complete 10 hours of continuing education
• Abide by a code of ethics

Your retirement plan can benefit from this deep expertise.

Looking for an AIFA designee serving Sacramento, Roseville, and Stockton, CA? Smart Investor serves all three cities from our base in Rocklin, CA. Contact us at 916-435-2100.