This designation is the mark of our commitment to a standard of investment fiduciary excellence. The AIF mark is awarded to individuals that successfully complete a specialized program on investment fiduciary standards and then pass a comprehensive examination. AIF designees demonstrate a thorough understanding of the prudent practices recommended for investment advisers and stewards.

Foster Group AIF®s

Jon Evans, Kent Kramer, Geoff Christy, Matt Moklestad, Ross Polking, Brad Rempe, Matt Stagner

A certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) is a trained financial professional who can help you navigate the financial aspects of divorce. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with three years of on-the job experience or, if no bachelor’s degree, five years of relevant experience.

Foster Group CDFA®s

Brittany Heard

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) Program is a five-day development program that trains and certifies qualified professional advisors in the field of exit planning. To become a certified exit planning advisor, candidates must have at least five years of full-time or equivalent experience working directly with business owners. Advisors who earn this credential are specially trained to assist business owners manage the complexity of selling or otherwise leaving a business.

Foster Group CEPAs

Walt Mozdzer

This designation indicates that our advisers have comprehensive knowledge in all areas of financial planning, including insurance, risk management, employee benefits, investments, income tax, retirement, and estate planning. CFP® candidates must complete a number of educational requirements before sitting for the CFP® comprehensive exam, which covers more than 100 topics on integrated financial planning. After passing the exam, designees must complete three years of qualifying work experience, complete ongoing education courses, and adhere to the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics.

Foster Group CFP^®s

Matt Abels, Joe Bantz, Bart Banwart, Caleb Brown, Zach Dalluge, Wade Den Hartog, Jon Evans, Andrew Farmer, Ethan Gascho, Daniel Hawthorne, Brittany Heard, Marcus Iwig, Kent Kramer, Matt Moklestad, Walt Mozdzer, Andy Mullan, Stacie Neussendorfer, Ryne Oller, Buck Olsen, Ross Polking, Brad Rempe, Reed Rinderknecht, Andy Rushenberg, Kadin White, Ashlee Vieregger, Melissa Pflieger, Matt Stagner

The Certified Financial Therapist-I™ (CFT-I™) designation is a professional certification for both financial and mental health professionals conferred by the Financial Therapy Association. There are three planned levels of the certification, with Level I being the most foundational. To become a CFT-I™, individuals must meet specific educational and experience requirements across the areas of 1) financial therapy, 2) financial planning and financial counseling, and 3) therapeutic competencies.

Foster Group CFT-I™s

Brittany Heard

The CIMA certification signifies that an individual has met initial and ongoing experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for investment management consulting, including advanced investment management theory and application. To earn a CIMA certification, candidates must submit an application; pass a background check and have an acceptable regulatory history; complete an in-person or online executive education program through a Registered Education Provider; pass an online Certification Examination; pass a second background check; and have three years of financial services experience at the time of certification. CIMA designees must adhere to Investments & Wealth Institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility and must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification.

Foster Group CIMA^®s

Matt Moklestad

Designation of an individual as a Certified Kingdom Advisor® indicates that the individual has completed the initial and ongoing certification requirements established by Kingdom Advisors. All candidates must sign a “Statement of Faith,” obtain a letter of reference from pastor or member of pastoral staff, a signed statement of personal stewardship and two client references. CKA® designees in the investment professional and financial planner disciplines must hold one of the approved industry designations (CFP®, ChFC®, CPA, CPA/PFS, EA, CFA, CIMA®, AAMS, CLU®, JD) or 10 years of experience in the discipline. Designee must complete a 21.5 hour online course and pass a final certification exam. Designees are required to remain in substantial compliance with a set of ethical principles, rules and standards, as well as, complete 10 hours of continuing education requirements annually.

Foster Group CKA^®s

Joe Bantz, Zach Dalluge, Wade Den Hartog, Brittany Heard, Stacie Neussendorfer, Reed Rinderknecht

The CPWA^® designation signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for the professional designation, which is centered on management topics and strategies for high-net-worth clients. Prerequisites for the CPWA^® designation are: a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA^®, CIMC^®, CFA^®, CFP^®, ChFC^® or CPA license; acceptable regulatory history as evidenced by FINRA Form U-4 or other regulatory requirements; five years of professional client-centered experience in financial services or a related industry; and two letters of reference from an IMCA^® member, professional supervisor, or currently licensed professional in financial services or a related industry. CPWA^® designees must complete a six-month pre-class educational component and a five-day classroom education program through The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. CPWA^® designees are required to adhere to IMCA^®’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. CPWA^® designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA^®).

Foster Group CPWA^®s

Matt Abels

The CPA designation represents a broad study of business, especially related to attestation. CPAs have a thorough understanding of financial statements, taxes, law, and numerous other facets of business. Designees have successfully completed the Uniform CPA exam, which requires 150 semester hours of qualifying education and two years of public accounting experience.

Foster Group CPAs

Bart Banwart, Marcus Iwig, Sunny Roeder, Beth Copic

The CPFA® is a professional designation for the retirement plan professional that demonstrates expertise and experience working with corporate retirement plans. During the CPFA certification, candidates spend around two months learning about fiduciary services for retirement plans.

Foster Group CPFA^®s

Matt Stagner

Designation of an individual as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® indicates that the individual has successfully completed three graduate-level on-line courses as required and administered by the American College of Financial Services®. CAP® designees are required to have three out of the previous five years of business experience actively involved in advising individuals or charitable organizations in any of the following areas: wealth and estate planning, financial planning, charitable planning, charitable giving, planned giving, nonprofit or foundation management or services, investment management of charitable trusts, funds or endowments, or accounting for nonprofit organizations as part of the regular practice or employment, or employed in the nonprofit sector in a capacity related to nonprofit management, development, planned giving or fundraising. Further, CAP® designees adhere to ethical standards, and maintain a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

Foster Group CAP^®s

Wade Den Hartog, Walt Mozdzer, Stacie Neussendorfer

The CFA® program is a self-study, graduate-level program for investment professionals. Designees must pass three difficult exams covering accounting, economics, security analysis, and portfolio management—each requiring about 250 hours of reading preparation time.

Foster Group CFA^®s

Travis Rychnovsky, Jack Davies, Michael Westphal, Garrett Jackson

The ChFC® is a professional designation representing completion of a comprehensive course consisting of financial education, examinations and practical experience. It currently requires nine college-level courses. Average study time to earn the ChFC® exceeds 450 hours. Required courses cover extensive education and application training in financial planning, income taxation, investments, and estate and retirement planning. ChFC® designees are required to have 3 years of business experience, adhere to ethical standards, and complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

Foster Group ChFC^®s

Kadin White, Matt Stagner

The Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC^® ) designation is a professional certification that signifies expertise in financial planning for special needs individuals, their families, and caregivers. The program equips certificants with the specialized skill and advanced knowledge to champion for special needs individuals with honesty, ethics, and compassion.  Areas of focus for the course include Introduction to Disability and Lifetime Planning, Legal and Financial Issues for Special Needs Families and Financial Planning for Families Caring for Those with Special Needs.

Foster Group ChSNC^®s

Matt Stagner

The CRPS^® program is a designation program that provides experienced advisors who are focused on retirement plans with the knowledge to recommend implementation techniques that can be executed into well-structured, company-appropriate retirement plans.

Foster Group CRPS^®s

Josh Pirtle

The FPQP™ course of study includes the financial planning process: the five disciplines of financial planning, and general financial planning concepts, terminology, and product categories. Candidates must complete a three-month internship and pass an end-of-course examination that tests their ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations.

Foster Group FPQP™s

Jacob Belzer, Ashley Hutzell, Garrett Jackson, Sheila Kamerick

The Juris Doctor (JD) is the university degree awarded by accredited law schools upon the completion of a three-year, full-time academic program. The degree is generally a pre-requisite for taking the bar examination, which each state administers to allow admission to the practice of law.

Foster Group JDs

Stacie Neussendorfer, Ashlee Vieregger

A Master’s in Accounting Degree (MAcc) is a graduate-level degree focused on a curriculum for those interested in the field of accounting. Topics in this program generally include corporate accounting, tax planning, business statistics, auditing, and more.

Foster Group MAccs

Marcus Iwig, Sunny Roeder

The MBA degree exposes students to a wide range of subjects and allows for concentration in specific areas of business management. Highly desired by professionals in a wide range of academic disciplines, the MBA was developed in the United States in the late 19th century, as the country industrialized and companies began to seek scientific approaches to management.

Foster Group MBAs

Alex Battani, Geoff Christy, Wade Den Hartog, Matt Moklestad, Ross Polking, Ryne Oller, Travis Rychnovsky, Matt Stagner

The Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR^®) from HR Certification Institute (HRCI^®) demonstrates an individual’s mastery of the strategic and policy-making aspects of HR management as practiced in the U.S. The credential is designed for big-picture thinkers responsible for planning rather than implementing HR policy. SPHR^® professionals have accountability for HR department goals, breadth and depth of knowledge in all HR disciplines, and understanding business issues beyond the HR function.

Foster Group SPHR^®s

Kate Juelfs