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Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)

Designation Essentials
Status Currently offered and recognized by the issuing organization.
Issuing Organization The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Qualification and Training Requirements
Prerequisites

Candidate must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be a member of the AICPA
  • Hold an unrevoked CPA certificate issued by a state authority
  • Have at least two years of full-time teaching or business experience (or 3000 hours equivalent) in personal financial planning within the five-year period preceding the data of the CPA/PFS application
Designation Training Requirements

Minimum of 75 hours of personal financial planning education within the five-year period preceding the date of the PFS application
Designation Exam Type

Final Certification Exam
Continuing Education Requirements

60 hours (or its equivalent) of continuing professional education every three years
Verification and Complaints
Online Designation Resource

None
Investor Complaint Process

Contact the AICPA at (888) 777-7077 or send a letter of complaint to:
AICPA
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707
Attn: Professional Ethics Division
Published List of Disciplined Designees

Yes at Disciplinary Actions