Chartered Wealth Manager® (CWM®) is an international certification program in the field of Wealth Management, Private Banking and Financial Advisory Services. Wealth Management is one of the fastest growing and highly paid careers across the world. Being one of the fastest growing economies, India currently has around 1,00,000 families which fall in the Ultra High Net‐worth Bracket this is projected to grow to 2,50,000 by 2014‐15 (Source Kotak Mahindra and CRISIL Wealth Report) . Assuming one Wealth Manager is handling approx. 100 clients we need at least 10,000 Chartered Wealth Managers in India immediately and around 25,000 in the next 2‐3 years.
Chartered Wealth Manager® (CWM®) is a mark of excellence granted to individuals who meet the stringent standards set by American Academy of Financial Management. It is the most prestigious and internationally accepted Wealth Management certification recognized and respected by the global financial community. CWM® Desigantion is the highest level of Designation in the field of Wealth Management worldwide with over 50,000 CWM® Designation Holders who are respected by consumers, professionals and industry.
CWM® program is ideal for professional and graduates looking to gain in‐depth knowledge of advising High Net‐Worth Individuals (HNI’S) on managing, growing and transferring their wealth.
CWM® is for Financial Services Professionals, Existing Wealth Managers, Customer Relationship Managers, Insurance Advisors, Research Analyst, those looking to expand their careers in the Wealth Management and Financial Advisory, and graduates who want to be professionally and globally recognized.
In India all major Banks, NBFC’s, Brokerage Houses and Financial Services Companies have a Wealth Management Division with acute shortage of trained manpower in them.
Wealth Management is one of the fastest‐growing professions across the world and Wealth Managers are the most sought after professionals by a fast growing working population that earns well, and needs expert handling of their finances. There are plenty of opportunities with Banks, Asset Management Companies, Brokerage Houses, Stock Broking Companies and KPO’s who are seeking professionals with such expertise.
Wealth Managers offer expert advice on issues related to on shore and off shore wealth management including wealth preservation, wealth enhancement and wealth transfer. The job involves meeting and advising rich and the famous in Financial Matters and helping these individuals and families in preserving, growing and transferring their wealth. Most Wealth Managers enjoy relatively low stress, have a high earning potential and enjoy a high degree of workplace autonomy. The personal satisfaction element cannot be underestimated. Very often, independent Wealth Advisors find that people are just overwhelmed and need direction, so it’s their job to listen, understand their situation and offer some options that will help them. It gives them a satisfaction enabling people do better, not just about their finances but about blending the financial side with the other sides of clients’ lives so that they can achieve their goals.
Wealth Management is one of the fastest growing and highest paid segment in the Financial Services Industry. To succeed in this demanding and highly rewarding field requires that an individual has high level of technical expertise coupled with very good social and communication skills. CWM® Designation focuses on developing a Complete Professional ready to enter the Wealth Management Domain with the requisite skills.
Benefits of CWM® for Organisation:
➳ Develops skills, knowledge and attitude of the employees.
➳ Increases the “ADVICE QUALITY” of the Financial Advisors.
➳ Demonstrates the quality of Advisors to the client.
➳ Helps the organisation in achieving global standards and cutting edge knowledge
Benefits to the Individual:
➳ Increases technical and product knowledge
➳ Enhances Client Management Skills
➳ Deepens Client Relationship and allows word of mouth publicity
➳ Creates Job and Career Opportunities
Wealth Managers are both employed and self-employed. Wealth Managers are one of the highest paid employees of the Financial Services Organisation. Wealth Managers generate income both through transaction commissions as well as fee based income on the advice they give to the clients.
CWM® Certification is offered by American Academy of Financial Management India a Standard Setting and Examination Board set up by the American Academy of Financial Management USA.
What is AAFM India?
AAFM India a professional standard setting body established by AAFM USA to set standards in Wealth Management and other Financial Domains AAFM offers certifications and designations in Wealth Management, Financial Analysis, Project Management, Asset Management, Risk Manage‐ment and many more related fields. AAFM India is currently offering the Chartered Wealth Manager Designation in India
Chartered Wealth Manager® designation is a truly global designation as the course content is a judicious mix of Indian and International Content enabling the participants to have a thorough knowledge of both the Indian and International Financial Landscape. CWM® Certificants can practice in their country of choice without any cross border registration or exam requirements. All Certificates are issued by AAFM USA International Board of Standards enabling the CWM® Designation holders to practice across the Globe.
Chartered Wealth Management ® Designation is widely accredited Globally by different prestigious Government Bodies and Global Accreditation Organizations.
In India Chartered Wealth Manager® is accredited by National Institute of Securities Market (NISM) under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Investment Advisor Regulations 2013 under Clause 7 (2).
Please note that only candidates appearing through compulsory pathway i.e clearing both level 1 and level 2 examinations can use the CWM® Certification to meet the academic requirements of SEBI RIA Regulations 2013 under NISM Approved Certifications for SEBI RIA REGULATIONS.
Also, if a candidate uses the CWM® Certification to meet the academic requirements of SEBI RIA Regulations 2013 under NISM Approved Certifications for SEBI RIA REGULATIONS then they need to renew the CWM® Certification after every 3 year by re-appearing for both level 1 and level 2 examinations.
If you do not wish to use the CWM® Certification for the above purpose then you can pursue the certification under Experience Pathway and renew the certification also without re-appearing for the Level 1 or Level 2 Exams.
The Curriculum of CWM® consists of two levels:
Level 1: Foundation Level Consisting of 10 Units.
Level 2: Advanced Level Consisting of 10 Units.
The candidate has to go through the above 20 Units through an Authorized Education Provider either through Class Room Mode or Distance Learning Mode and clear the requisite exams as per the pathway chosen to complete the academic requirements of the Board of Standards. The completion of the academic criterion ensures that the candidate has the requisite knowledge and skills to work as a Wealth Manager.
The number of Exams a student has to clear depends upon the pathway they choose: Compulsory Pathway Student: Has to clear both Level 1 and Level 2 Examination. Experience Pathway Student: Has to clear only Level 2 Examination.
Note:
1. Compulsory Pathway student can appear for level 2 exam only when he clear level 1 exam.
2. Level 2 exam covers level 1 course content also. So students are advised to acquaint themselves of the Concepts and Body of Knowledge of both the levels.
The CWM® India Examination is held in Pearson Vue and the NSE Exam Centers across India across 75 Cities and Globally across 200 Cities spread over 27 Countries.
To Locate an Examination Centre nearest to you: Click Here.
This pathway is specifically designed for the candidates who are holding 3 years of minimum prior relevant work experience, can directly appear for Level 2 examination but the candidate have to undergo the training of both the levels of examination. For details of relevant work experience please refer to the Education Delivery Model of AAFM India.
The candidate wishing to apply under the experience pathway should send his application form along with detailed resume enumerating his work experience and details of his job profile. The candidate should also provide the proofs of the relevant work experience. Please note AAFM India does not entertain any direct registrations all such applications must be routed through Authorised Education Providers.
The CWM Education Program focuses on sharpening three components: Knowledge, Skills and Application.
Knowledge: The students get the latest updates and learn about the opportunities of wealth management, with specific relevance to Asia. They appreciate the market dynamics influencing wealth management and gain an overview on the latest innovations in financial products in wealth management they also gain an insight to global best practices and achieving success in wealth management Understand the options and issues in wealth planning.
Skills: Students develop skills in building wealth management solutions for clients, ability to present wealth management concepts and strategies confidently through customer friendly language and also the ability to create strategies to build effective relationship with clients Create and/or increase their capability to think strategically by using a structured process.
Application: The program through its rigours and practical orientation prepares the students to apply the concepts and skills developed in the program in actual work environment. The outcome of this applied education is a complete “WEALTH MANAGER” who is ready for the rigours of the Wealth Management Industry. Which are the units under the CWM ® Certification Education Program?
Level 1 — Foundation Level:
Level 2 — Advanced Level:
AAFM India has Authorized Education Providers to deliver the CWM® Certification Education Program to the students. The CWM® Certification Education Program is delivered by authorized Education Partners through distance learning, e‐learning mode, part time and full time Education Programs.
The study material and the examinations are in English.
The candidate for enrolling with AAFM India for pursuing CWM® Certification is required to be SSC or Class 12 pass, but he/she needs to be a graduate for the award of CWM® Certification.
AAFM India Board Fees:
Registration Online and paperback books Fee: Rs.35,990 (Valid for 365 Days)
Certification Fee : 100 USD + (GST 18%)
Authorised Education Provider Fees: Please check with your education provider about the fee plans and modes of study available.
1. The Examinations Fee for
Level 1 Examination : Rs. 4720
Level 2 examination : Rs. 4720
The Rescheduling Fees is Rs. 1000 and Rescheduling can only be done 48 hours prior to the scheduled examination.
Students are only permitted to use “CASIO FC 200 V” Financial Calculator in the examination. No exchange of accessories will be permitted during the examination.
Candidates must carry one Primary ID and one Secondary ID to the exam centre in Original.
Standard Primary IDs (with both Photo and Signature)
➳ Driver’s license
➳ Passport
➳ Election card/voter ID
➳ PAN card
➳ Photo identity issued by a school, college or university
➳ Admit card of any national/state exam issued in 2012 or 2013
➳ UID/Adhar card
➳ SC/ST certificate with photograph
➳ Employee ID with photo and signature
Standard Secondary IDs (with Signature)
➳ Any primary ID
➳ Credit card
➳ ATM card
Names on ID’s must exactly match those given by the candidate during registration. Discrepancies on ID’s that are due to typographical errors, traditional & cultural variations, and technical limitations must be reported by candidates to AAFM who will need to inform Pearson VUE as soon as possible.
Candidates are required to carry original id .Copy of ID is not acceptable proof.
Candidates will also be required to produce the appointment confirmation letters received from Pearson VUE after scheduling their test.
All the Education Partners are authorized by AAFM India based on the stringent eligibility criteria set by us and AAFM India does a regular audit to ensure education delivery in accordance with the standards set. However, AAFM India doesn’t rank the Education Partners. Therefore the students are advised to select their Education Partners based on the following criteria and enquiring with multiple Education Partners;
➳ Mode of Education Delivery – distance education/classroom/online
➳ Faculty Support
➳ Workbooks and sample papers developed
➳ Cost Structure and payment options
➳ Geographical accessibility
➳ Online support
Upon the award of your certification, you are waived from Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements for the 1st year. From the 2nd year onwards, you are required to complete 30 CPD hours annually in order to keep your status as a Certified Member and a member‐in‐good standing status.
The CPD requirement can be met through various activities like Industry publication subscription, Research contribution, Presentations & trainings, Tradeshows & seminars, and other professional qualifications. For details refer to the AAFM India website.
You would be required to maintain your record of CPD activity in your My AAFM India login account, 10% of AAFM India members will be selected for the annual random audit. When requested, you should submit the evidence of the CPD via email. Evidence may include a receipt, course materials, certificate, etc.
Important : If a candidate uses the CWM® Certification to meet the academic requirements of SEBI RIA Regulations 2013 under NISM Approved Certifications for SEBI RIA REGULATIONS then they need to renew the CWM® Certification after every 3 year by re-appearing for both level 1 and level 2 examinations.
Compulsory Pathway: Minimum Time period is 5 Months
Experience Pathway: Minimum Time period is 2 Months
Maximum time allowed to complete the program is 3 years subject to registration being renewed by the student. In case the student is unable to clear the program in 3 years he would not be given credit for any exams cleared during the period.
Candidates need to apply for the CWM® Certification within 90 Days of Clearing Level 2 Exam. If a candidate fails to do so he will have to reappear for level 2 exam again.
Success in passing the exam opens up several opportunities for immediate recognition by your peers, customers and the financial services industry as a whole. Successful candidates will be awarded a certificate.
They will be invited to apply for certification with AAFM India. CWM® Certificants who successfully apply for certification will be able to indicate their designation CWM® on their professional identifications, including visiting cards and letter heads.
AAFM USA offers a bouquet of courses in finance but currently in India only the CWM® and CTEP® are being offered.
It is not mandatory to have work experience for the CWM® Certification so once a student clears the required examination they are eligible to apply for the CWM® Designation.
The student can mail their queries at info@aafmindia.co.in
