Certification « Stamford Wealth Academy

Certification

I. Who should attend?

The CFOS™ certification course should be attended by family office personnel, wealth managers, financial planners, estate planners, CPAs, CFPs, Investment Advisors, Trust Officers, and all other financial professionals. Further, non-financial professionals such as psychologists and others who advise families would also seek the CFOS designation in order to distinguish themselves as this certification represents the standard for family offices.

II. Program Outline

Session 1: Overview and Economics

Session 2: Investment Theories, Planning, and Strategies

Session 3: Asset Allocation

Session 4: Accounting Fundamentals

Session 5: Financial Statement Analysis

Session 6: Corporate Valuation

Session 7: Due Diligence, Risk Management, and Performance Measurement

Session 8: Alternative Investments

Session 9: Derivatives and Financial Instrument

Session 10: Estate and Trust Principles

Session 11: Anti-Money Laundering

Session 12: Insurance Planning and Risk Management

Session 13: The Soft Side of Family Office Management

Session 14: Family Office Best Practices

Session 15: Family Dynamics and Trends

Session 16: Case Studies

Session 17: Recap and Test Preparation

III. Instructional Method

The teaching approach is interactive and dynamic. Intensive review course are conducted in a variety of ways, including case studies, tutorials and small group discussions. Various course facilitators / instructors, all with professional degrees, will be leading the participants through various topics to enhance the learning experience.

The Chartered Family Office Specialist (CFOS™) certification prepares applicants for this professional designation. The paramount goal of this certification is to enhance the knowledge base needed to successfully manage and operate a family office or any similar wealth management practice. Stamford Wealth Academy is pleased to provide this review course to prepare for the 4 hour examination. In light of the current environment, the focus of the examination is not only on the essentials financial topics but on due diligence. It is the strong belief of the Stamford Wealth Academy that special emphasis must be placed on investor due diligence. Wealth managers and financial planners must be able to manage funds and advise clients of appropriate investments and risk management options.

Click here to download brochure.

IV. Review Course Duration

4 Full-day class at selected locations conducted twice yearly

Click here for course and exam schedule.

V. Course and Examination Fee

USD 2,500 ( CFOS Online )
USD 2,000 ( With Review Course )
USD 1,500 ( Self-study )

Fee includes course materials, handouts, and 1 exam sitting

Retake Exam: USD 150

VI. Recommended textbook

“Advising Ultra Affluent Clients and Family Offices ”

by Michael M. Pompian

Click here to see the synopsis of the textbook.

VIII. The Chartered Office Family Specialist (CFOS™) Designation

The four hour examination for the year 2012 is all multiple choice covering financial topics relevant to managing family offices. For the year 2013, the examination will be  6 hours covering both financial and soft-side family office topics. Case study questions will be part of that examination. A score of 70% is required for passing the CFOS examination.

Click here to sign-up now.