The following provides detailed information about the professional designations earned by David Dunn Wealth, LLC. While professional credentials are important indicators of expertise, they should be considered alongside experience, approach, and fit when selecting a financial advisor. This information will help you understand the requirements, standards, and continuing education associated with each credential.

CPA/PFS (Certified Public Accountant/Personal Financial Specialist)

What is a CPA/PFS?

The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential allows CPAs to demonstrate additional study and knowledge in the field of personal financial planning. CPA/PFS credential holders have met specific experience, education and examination requirements that differs from other CPAs and financial planners that allow them to hold themselves out as Personal Financial Specialists.

Requirements

Eligibility: You will need the following:

• Hold a valid CPA license and be a regular member of the AICPA.
• For the Standard and Certificate pathways, earn a minimum of 75 hours of PFP continuing professional development (CPD) within the 5 years preceding your PFS application.
• For the Experienced pathway, earn a minimum of 105 hours of PFP continuing professional development (CPD) within the 7 years preceding your PFS application.
• For the Standard and Certificate pathways, within the 5 years preceding the PFS application you have completed 2 years of full-time business or teaching experience (or 3,000 hours equivalent) in personal financial planning or, for candidates in academia, a qualified credential holder should be a full-time professor and have taught at least 4 accredited college courses with 50% of their material included in the PFS Body of Knowledge.
• For the Experienced pathway, within the 7 years preceding the PFS application you have completed 5 years of full-time business experience (or 7,500 hours equivalent) in personal financial planning
• Pass the PFS Exam – available both online and at testing centers.

CFP ® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™)

Why Choose a CFP® Professional?

Most people think all financial planners are “certified”, but this isn’t true. Just about anyone can use the title “financial planner.” CFP Board benefits the public by independently certifying financial planners. Although CFP Board does not guarantee their work, CFP® professionals have met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Only those who have fulfilled CFP Board’s rigorous requirements can call themselves a CFP® professional. As part of their certification, CFP® professionals commit to high ethical standards. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can call themselves a CFP® professional.

WHAT SETS A CFP® PROFESSIONAL APART

When you hire a CFP® professional, you work with an advisor who has met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Most important, a CFP® professional has made a commitment to CFP Board to act in the best interests of their client.

FINANCIAL PLANNER WITHOUT CFP® CERTIFICATION

• It’s easy for someone to call themselves a financial planner.
• May not be required to put your best interests first.
• Level of financial planning knowledge varies.
• Years of experience varies.
  

CFP® PROFESSIONAL

• Meets requirements established by CFP Board.
• Makes a commitment to CFP Board, as part of their certification, to place your best interests first. Can receive sanctions from CFP Board, and even risk losing their certification, for violations of ethical standards set by CFP Board.
• Has demonstrated the knowledge required to deliver holistic financial planning.
• Must have a minimum of 2 years of financial planning experience.

CPWA® (Certified Private Wealth Advisor®)

Professional Designation Disclosure – CPWA® Certification

The following information about the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation is provided by the Investments & Wealth Institute:

What is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®)?

The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) is a professional certification designed specifically for seasoned advisors and wealth managers who work with or would like to work with high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients. Certified Private Wealth Advisor FAQ | Investments & Wealth Institute

The CPWA® program delivers a comprehensive education on advanced wealth management strategies, giving you the tools you need to deliver exceptional value to your HNW and UHNW client relationships. Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) Certification

The CPWA® certification program was accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) in 2022, affirming that the CPWA® certification consistently distinguishes those who meet a global standard of competency and skills in private wealth management from those who do not. Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) Certification

CPWA® Certification Requirements:

Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree OR one of the following designations: CIMA®, RMA®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, CPA® Certified Private Wealth Advisor FAQ | Investments & Wealth Institute

Experience Requirements: Document at least 5 years of verified work experience in financial services. Investments and WealthInvestments and Wealth

Education Requirements: 3.5 days of executive education with Investments & Wealth Institute instructors, professors, and expert practitioners Certified Private Wealth Advisor FAQ | Investments & Wealth Institute

Examination: The certification exam is a 4-hour, 135-question computer-based examination administered in person at local Pearson VUE testing centers or online through Meazure Learning. CPWA Certification Requirements │ Understand CPWA Process & Costs

Professional Standards: Sign your agreement to adhere to IWI’s Code of Professional Responsibility and certification marks usage guidelines. CPWA Certification Requirements │ Understand CPWA Process & Costs

Continuing Education Requirements: IWI certificants must complete 40 CE credits every 2 years. CPWA Certification Requirements │ Understand CPWA Process & Costs

Program Focus Areas:

The curriculum delivers specialized, advanced knowledge that combines:

• A holistic, multidisciplinary approach to the interconnected challenges and opportunities that significant wealth brings.
• Deep dives into critical areas of wealth planning and preservation, including sophisticated tax management and wealth transfer tools, as well as legacy planning and family dynamics. Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) Certification

Earning the CPWA® designation gives you the skills to identify and analyze challenges facing HNW clients and develop specific strategies to minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth. Certified Private Wealth Advisor FAQ | Investments & Wealth Institute

Additional Disclosure Information:

Verification: You can verify the status of a CPWA® designation holder on the Investments & Wealth Institute website at investmentsandwealth.org.

Complaints: If you have a complaint about a CPWA® designation holder, complaint procedures are available through the Investments & Wealth Institute.

Important Notice: Professional designations do not guarantee investment performance or ensure that an advisor will provide services that meet your needs. When selecting a financial advisor, you should consider their qualifications, experience, and approach to financial planning in addition to any professional designations they may hold.

This disclosure is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of any particular investment strategy or financial service.

GENERAL DISCLOSURE

A digital badge or designation is not a guarantee of any future performance, services to be provided or outcome by the holder of the designation. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS™) credential is established and run by the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Division staff at the AICPA, the National Accreditation Commission, and the PFS Credential Committee for AICPA members who meet certain education, testing, and experience requirements.

Contact Information:
David Dunn Wealth, LLC
10900 NE 4th Street, Suite 2300
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 321-3000
Email: info@daviddunn.com