AAFM ® Accredited Education Standards - The Highest Standards in Certification Education 

• AAFM's Level II Business and ABA Law Standards for Professional Designations and Board Certifications
• AAFM Recognizes over 1000 of the top accredited business schools programs in the world such as the programs accredited by the ACBSP and AACSB

A Guide to AAFM ®  Certification Quality Standards

Professional Designations in the United States and Internationally have a long history of standards. Legal cases such as the IBANEZ decision of the Supreme Court imply that bone fide "board certifications" or "professional designation" criteria includes: 1) Accredited Education, 2) Assessment, 3) Degree 4) Continuing Education and 5) Ethics/Professionalism 6) Experience.

Review Our Certification Programs:  www.financialanalyst.org/certifications.html

AAFM  ® recognizes and demands level 2 accredited program exams and courses administered by US Business Schools. Further, AAFM recognizes and demands ABA doctorate level education.

Types of Certifications and Accreditation Standards - Level II is the Highest

1.) Certification requiring Level 2 Accredited education and exams. This is the highest form of educational requirements. This education is generally preferred for CPA licensure and for certifications from organizations such as the AAFM American Academy of Financial Management. Level 2 means that both the college or university is accredited AND the business school is also separately accredited by a government recognized body. The ACBSP, AACSB or EQUIS are examples of level 2 accreditation while education from an ABA American Bar Association education would also be level 2.

2.) Charters or Certification requiring a college diploma and exams. This is a high standard but does not require Level 2 Accreditation Degree. Thus, the degree may be from a good school offshore but it may not be accredited by a recognized organization. Certifications in this category focus on giving only exams as a path to achieving a "non government recognized professional designation" or becoming chartered with a credential as a financial analyst.

3.) Credential requiring only exam. This standard is strong but does not require a degree historically but rather a test only. Examples are a project management designation or a typical financial planner designation or credential.

* ABA American Bar Association Statement on Juris Doctor Education and Degrees. - Law School Education - The J.D. Degree - Ph.D. Degree Equivalency Statement by ABA.

WHEREAS, the acquisition of a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree requires from 84 to 90 semester hours of post baccalaureate study and the Doctor of Philosophy degree usually requires 60 semester hours of post baccalaureate study along with the writing of a dissertation, the two degrees shall be considered as equivalent degrees for educational employment purposes; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all appropriate persons be requested to eliminate any policy, or practice, existing within their jurisdiction which disparages legal education or promotes discriminatory employment practices against J.D. degree-holders who hold academic appointment in education institutions. Ref: http://apps.americanbar.org/legaled/accreditation/Council%20Statements.pdf

* Note: A degree, MBA, MSc, or credential based on a Level 2 education is more widely accepted globally than qualifications or degrees that do not maintain "Level 2" Status. Further, course credits are more easily transferable with reciprocity from Level 2 business schools and institutions that are double accredited.

*Most State and Sovereign Governments worldwide prefer Level II Accreditation for the purposes of business school standards, top MBA programs, or becoming a CPA or Chartered Accountant. Further, Government recognized Bar Accredited Education is required for a legal education and licenses. Level 2 accreditation – the business school. In a Level 2 accreditation, the college or university and the business school are separately accredited, but the accounting program is not separately accredited. This level applies to a business school that is accredited by an organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a specialized or professional accrediting organization, such as the AACSB or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

 *Read about AAFM® Global Recognition. AAFM® has consulted with the US Government, United Nations, and other governmental bodies worldwide. These accredited education and exam requirements have been public and disclosed on governmental and authoritative guides for over a decade. As seen in the US Governments' Occupational Handbook.

If you complete a Degree from one of these degree programs, you can petition the AAFM ® for MFP and RBA Certification.