Impact of Designations on Business and Client Success

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – February 19, 2025 - The 2024 Designation Outcomes Study, developed and executed by FUSE Research Network, reveals powerful insights into how these credentials drive greater productivity, growth, and client satisfaction.

This study shows that financial professionals who earn designations from The College experience marked improvements in client retention, earnings, and business growth compared to their peers without any designations.

“The data clearly shows the undeniable value of continuous learning in our industry,” said President and CEO George Nichols III, CAP®. “Our designations equip financial professionals with applied knowledge, making them better able to serve their clients and drive success. This study demonstrates that when financial professionals invest in their education, they experience real, measurable outcomes that positively impact their businesses and their clients' futures. As the profession is ever evolving, it is paramount for financial advisors to remain vigilant and relevant through lifelong learning.”

Compared to financial professionals with no designations, College designees report better outcomes, including:

• Client Retention: College designees report 35% higher growth in client retention over the past three years than financial professionals with no designations.
• Client Referrals: College designees experience 16% higher growth in client referrals over the past three years compared to financial professionals without designations.
• Earnings: Designations contribute to 13% higher growth in earnings for College designees compared to non-designees over the past three years.

Notably, those who earn multiple designations see even stronger results across the board, such as increases in their earnings and their assets under management:

• Overall Earnings: Financial professionals with multiple designations report 19% higher growth in earnings compared to those with no designations.
• Assets Under Management (AUM): Financial professionals with multiple designations from The College report 12% higher growth in AUM compared to those with single designations.

This study also highlights the importance of specialization, illuminating how designations like the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®), and Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) have a unique impact on financial professionals’ ability to address specific client needs, such as retirement income planning, charitable giving strategies, and planning for families with special needs.

“The College is dedicated to providing rigorous, evidence-based education that enables professionals to deliver exceptional service right away,” said Chia Li Chien, PhD, CFP®, PMP®, CPBC, associate provost for undergraduate and graduate programs at The American College of Financial Services. “Our programs are designed not only to help advisors succeed in their careers but to continuously evolve with the industry's needs, ensuring that they remain equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

This study also highlights significant improvements in client satisfaction and advisor-client relationships. Key outcomes include:

• Client Satisfaction: 65% of designees report significant or moderate improvement in client satisfaction since earning their designation.
• Client Conversations: 74% of designees report significant or moderate improvement in their client conversations.
• Ability to Help Clients With More Goals: 70% of designees report significant or moderate improvement in their ability to help clients achieve a greater number of financial goals.

The College is launching a new microsite that presents the study's findings in a clear and actionable way for financial professionals and organizations interested in learning about the benefits of foundational and specialized designations. The College has also begun the research and discovery phase of an awareness campaign designed to increase the public’s understanding of designations, so they may connect with highly credentialed professionals who focus on various areas of applied financial knowledge.

For more information about the 2024 Designation Outcomes Study, visit our webpage or contact:

Sarah Tremallo
908-967-0381 / Stremallo@jconnelly.com

Jared Trexler
610-526-1268 / jared.trexler@theamericancollege.edu

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College’s faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu and connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.