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ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Taking Your Career to New Heights with CIMA® Back to Articles of Interest Author: Alicia Nisberg, CIMA® As financial professionals, we’re constantly seeking new ways to challenge ourselves and sharpen our skills—and it doesn’t hurt to add some letters after our names in the process. While lesser known than other financial designations, the Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) certification, offered by the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA), is growing in popularity—and for good reason. Highly regarded within the consulting community, the CIMA program is geared toward financial professionals who want to attain the status of advanced investment consultant. If you’re looking to deepen your asset allocation and portfolio management knowledge, hone your investment techniques, and be recognized as one of the best in the field, CIMA might be the designation for you.Having recently earned my CIMA credential, I’m obviously a big believer in the program’s value. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Broker/dealers are snapping up spots in the CIMA program for their advisors faster than ever; Morgan Stanley thinks so highly of the CIMA designation that it books half the places in the program. Just take a look at CIMA’s impressive annual growth rate, as compared with some of the industry’s other top designations.  WHAT DOES THE CIMA CURRICULUM COVER? The CIMA curriculum focuses on topics that directly impact your business: asset allocation, investment policy, manager search and selection, performance measurement and attribution, behavioral finance, risk management, derivatives, legal and regulatory environment, and ethics. Participants should come away with an in-depth knowledge of efficient asset allocation, beta coefficients, measuring portfolio risk, manager due diligence, historical returns, international financial markets, and alternative investments. In short, the CIMA curriculum encompasses a complex body of advanced investment knowledge, preparing participants to provide expert financial advice and guidance, both to individuals and institutions. IS THE CIMA PROGRAM RIGHT FOR YOU? Typically, three factors come into play when determining the next step in your educational career: time, cost, and impact. Let’s look at these factors as they relate to the CIMA program. Time: two months–two years. The time commitment is a huge consideration when deciding whether to embark on a new educational endeavor. Will you be able to study for the CIMA and still have time for your clients? Although the program is rigorous, the good news is you can complete it at your own pace, as quickly (two months) or as leisurely (up to two years) as fits your schedule. There are five steps along the path to earning your CIMA designation:
Impact: priceless. Perhaps the most important question of all, how will completing the CIMA program impact your business? CIMA certification is a powerful testament to your commitment to the industry and your practice. Research shows that clients and prospective clients are very receptive to academic achievements and credentials; there’s a real correlation between professional designations like the CIMA and the ability to attract new clients. The deep knowledge you gain through the CIMA program will help position you at the forefront of the field, equipping you to provide clients with the most appropriate solutions for complex financial matters. Indeed, when you earn the CIMA designation, you’re joining impressive ranks—according to the Wharton School, as of January 2009, the average CIMA professional manages more than $292 million in assets, retains 98.7 percent of clients during a recession, and has more than 10 years of experience in investment management and consulting. To polish the program’s image even further, IMCA is working to obtain third-party accreditation for CIMA by next year. A SMART INVESTMENT Earning your CIMA certification requires dedication, but the rewards can be well worth the effort. Armed with the quantitative expertise the program provides, you’ll be better prepared to help your clients meet their investment goals—and to set yourself apart from the competition. More than just a bunch of letters after your name, the CIMA designation makes a difference professionally, identifying you as an advisor at the top of your game. For more information about the CIMA program, visit www.imca.org/main/do/CIMA_Home. Alicia Nisberg is a senior investment research analyst. She is available at x9448 or at anisberg@commonwealth.com. |
 
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