A commitment to expertise and education to ensure you receive the most comprehensive financial planning advice in the Washington DC metro area

It is more than a bunch of letters; it is assurance that you are working with a top fee-only planning professional.

Financial planning requires an extensive knowledge and understanding of a variety of disciplines to ensure that clients receive expert advice. Below you will find more detailed information about the designations or certifications Tom Conway or Connemara staff hold in areas including but not limited to: retirement planning, estate planning, insurance planning, investment management consulting, and planning for executives, owners of closely held businesses, and high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families.

Click from the following list to learn more about the certifications and designations: CFP, AEP, CTFA, CLU, CIMA, CPWA, AIF, RICP, CRC, CPO, JD, TEP, CAP

CFP® – Certified Financial Planner

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, in any discipline, from an accredited university
• Minimum 15-hour curriculum necessary to prepare for the CFP exam (you may challenge the educational requirements if you are a licensed attorney or are hold any of the following certifications or degrees: Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, Doctor of Business Administration or PhD in business or economics).
• Apply for and achieve a passing score on the Certified Financial Planner exam.
• Possess at least 3 years of work experience in the financial planning industry – teaching, assisting, supervising or delivering financial planning services to a client base for a minimum of 3 years prior to certification.
• Pass a background check and candidate fitness standards test. You must reveal any criminal history, pending litigation or ethical violations. The CFP board verifies all employment history, qualifications and disciplinary issues via FINRA’s Central Registration Depository.

AEP® – Accredited Estate Planner®

• The AEP® designation, awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC), demonstrates a focus on all components of the estate planning process and a commitment to excellence and professionalism in all areas relating to estate planning.
• The AEP® designation is a graduate level specialization in estate planning obtained in addition to already recognized professional credentials within the various disciplines of estate planning. It is awarded by the NAEPC to recognize estate planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional education and character.
• The AEP® designation contains five (5) specific prerequisites including a credential requirement; a professional discipline engaged in estate planning requirement; an experience requirement; an education requirement; and a membership requirement.

CTFA® – Certified Trust & Financial Advisor®

• The CTFA® designation, awarded by the American Bankers Association, demonstrates competency and a commitment to excellence and professionalism in all areas relating to trust and estate planning, fiduciary law and fiduciary asset management.
• The CTFA® is the premier designation for trust officers and trust professionals. Mr. Conway has earned this designation in order to provide advice with a significant degree of professional competence regarding trust and estate planning and related matters. With particular emphasis placed on ethics and commitment to clients, the CTFA® has earned a distinguished reputation backed by security and stewardship.
• Mr. Conway is a graduate of Cannon Trust School Level I (Atlanta GA), Level II (Hilton Head SC) and Level III (University of Notre Dame, South Bend IN). Each Cannon Trust School Level involves an intensive week of classroom review preceded by months of extensive study and culminates in a rigorous examination in areas relating to Property Law, Tax Law, Fiduciary Law and Asset Management.
• The CTFA® examination is an exhaustive four (4) hour examination containing 200 questions on relevant subject matter and must be passed as a prerequisite for CTFA® certification. Significant continuing professional education is required to maintain the CTFA® certification.

CLU® – Chartered Life Underwriter®

• The CLU® designation, awarded by the American College of Financial Services, demonstrates competency and a commitment to excellence and professionalism in all areas of planning relating to life insurance and related products and services. The program is a 6-12 month program covering extensive subject matter material.
• The CLU® is the premier designation for insurance professionals. Mr. Conway has earned this designation in order to provide advice with a significant degree of professional competence regarding insurance and related matters. With particular emphasis placed on ethics and commitment to clients, the CLU® has earned a distinguished reputation backed by security and stewardship.
• Required courses for CLU® certification include Fundamentals of Insurance Planning; Individual Life Insurance; Life Insurance Law; Fundamentals of Estate Planning; and Planning for Business Owners and Professionals. Mr. Conway has also completed at least three additional elective courses including Financial Planning: Process and Environment; Investments; and Income Taxation.
• Eight (8) separately administered examinations each lasting up to two (2) hours and containing 100 questions on relevant subject matter material must be passed as prerequisites for CLU® certification. Significant continuing professional education is required.

CIMA® – Certified Investment Management Analyst®

• The CIMA® designation, awarded by the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA®), demonstrates competency and a commitment to excellence and professionalism in all areas of investment management consulting and analysis.
• The CIMA® program is a 6-9 month program administered by IMCA® in conjunction with The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Three separate examinations, including a prequalification examination; an examination at The Wharton School following an intensive week of instruction; and a final comprehensive examination last up to four (4) hours must be passed as prerequisites for CIMA® certification.
• The CIMA® program contains five (5) core topics, including Fundamentals; Portfolio Performance and Risk Measurements; Traditional and Alternative Investments; Portfolio Theory and Behavioral Finance; and the Investment Consulting Process. In addition, the program contains a section on Governance, including the IMCA Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards of Practice and Regulatory Considerations.
• CIMA® professionals integrate a complex body of investment knowledge, ethically contributing to prudent investment decisions by providing objective advice and guidance to individual and institutional investors.

CPWA® – Certified Private Wealth Analyst®

• The CPWA® designation, awarded by the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA®), demonstrates competency and a commitment to excellence and professionalism in all areas relating to working with High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High-Net Worth individuals, couples and families, including family businesses.
• The CPWA® program is a 9 month program administered by IMCA® in conjunction with The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Eleven (11) core subject matter areas are covered in extensive detail, including Ethics; Family Dynamics; Applied Behavioral Finance; Portfolio Management; Asset Protection and Risk Management; Income Taxation and Planning; Planning for Executives; Planning for Closely Held Businesses; Retirement Planning; Charitable Giving; and Estate Planning. Eleven (11) separate prequalification examinations must be passed followed by an intensive week-long program of instruction at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The program culminates in a comprehensive examination lasting up to four (4) hours.
• The CPWA® certification program is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers who work with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. The program focuses on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation and distribution. Candidates who earn the certification learn to identify and analyze challenges high-net-worth individuals face. They also learn to understand and develop specific strategies to minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth and transfer wealth.
• CPWA® certification includes as a prerequisite separate professional credentialing and a minimum of five (5) years of experience delivering services to high-net-worth investors.

AIF® – Accredited Investment Fiduciary®

• The AIF® designation, awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, a fi360 company, demonstrates a focus on all the components of a comprehensive investment process, related fiduciary standards of care, and commitment to fiduciary excellence.
• AIF® designees must complete 6 steps to earn the designation:
  1. Submit registration and fee;
  2. Successfully complete a specialized program on investment fiduciary standards of care;
  3. Pass a comprehensive examination;
  4. Upon passing, submit the accreditation application and fee;
  5. Complete annual continuing educational requirements;
  6. Pledge to abide by the designation’s code of ethics.

RICP® – Retirement Income Certified Professional®

• The RICP® designation, awarded by the American College of Financial Services, demonstrates a focus on all aspects of the post-retirement investment distribution process or decumulation phase, including all aspects of the retirement income planning process.
• RICP® designees must complete 6 steps to earn the designation:
  1. Submit registration and fee;
  2. Successfully complete a three-part specialized program on retirement income planning;
  3. Pass three (3) separately administered detailed written examinations;
  4. Upon passing the examinations, submit the accreditation application and fee;
  5. Complete annual continuing educational requirements;
  6. Pledge to abide by the designation’s Code of Ethics.

CRC® – Certified Retirement Counselor®

• The CRC® designation, awarded by the International Foundation for Retirement Education, demonstrates a concentration on all aspects of personal financial planning and investment advice relating to retirement.
• CRC® designees must complete 6 steps to earn the designation:
  1. Submit registration and fee;
  2. Successfully complete 4 modules on retirement planning, including Fundamentals of Retirement Planning; Fundamentals of Investments; Fundamentals of Retirement Income; and Fundamentals of Retirement Plan Design;
  3. Pass a comprehensive and detailed written examination;
  4. Upon passing the examination, submit the accreditation application and fee;
  5. Complete annual continuing educational requirements;
  6. Pledge to abide by the designation’s Code of Ethics.

CPO® – Certified Professional Organizer®

• The CPO® designation, awarded by the National Association of Professional Organizers, demonstrates competency and professionalism in all aspects of personal organization.
• Certified Professional Organizers (CPOs) have proven industry proficiency by demonstrating they possess the body of knowledge and experience essential to professional organizing and productivity consulting. The CPO® credential identifies professional organizers who meet an experience requirement and who have passed the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers (BCPO®) professional examination. Candidates must complete at least 1,500 hours of paid client work prior to applying for the certification examination. Continuing professional education is required.

JD – Juris Doctor

JD or Juris Doctor is a graduate level professional degree in law. Degree is earned by completing law school in the US, Canada, Australia and other common law countries. A full-time three-year rigorous course of study is generally required for completion. Graduates must then pass state-specific and/or multi-state bar examinations. Mr. Conway is a 1984 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and practiced law actively for more than a decade. He is a licensed member of the Maryland and District of Columbia bars.

TEP – Trusts and Estates Practitioner

The TEP designation, awarded by the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP), demonstrates a focus on improving public understanding of the issues families face in relation to inheritance and succession planning. STEP members are devoted to continuing professional education and high professional standards. The STEP Code of Professional Conduct requires members at all times to act with integrity and in a manner that inspires the confidence, respect and trust of their clients and of the wider community. Members are required to keep up to date with the latest legal, technical and regulatory developments. Full STEP members are recognized by the letters ‘TEP” (Trusts and Estates Practitioner) after their names.

CAP® — Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy

• The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation, awarded by The American College of Financial Services, provides professional advisors with the knowledge and tools necessary to help clients articulate and advance their highest aspirations for self, family and society. CAP® designees are members of a growing network of top planners who are working to make our towns and cities better places to live for generations to come. The CAP® program is designed to provide important insights into the process of philanthropic planning, including, but not limited to, tax implications as well as leading tools and planning techniques. Experienced advisors seek CAP® designation to assist clients making major gifts as part of their lifetime planning, business exit planning or estate planning.
• The CAP® program is a graduate-level program requiring rigorous study and successful completion of three (3) separate courses and examinations. Designees must meet experience requirements and enhanced ethics standards and agree to comply with The American College of Financial Services Code of Ethics and Procedures. Continuing professional education is also required to maintain the designation.