The Importance of a CIMA Certified Consultant
 
Team leader David J. Ritcey is among a prestigious group of Canadian advisors that hold the coveted Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation. The CIMA is awarded by the Investment Management Consultants Association (based in Denver, Colorado) and has been described as “the certification that speaks for experience and knowledge in the investment industry.”             

Eligibility for the certification program is only for Investment Consultants who have achieved and demonstrated a broad level of investment expertise. Upon acceptance to this competitive program, individuals must complete extensive and exhaustive examinations from the prestigious Wharton School of Business. The subject matter includes: efficient asset allocation, beta coefficients, measuring portfolio risk, manager selection and due diligence, historical returns, international financial markets, alternate investment structures, and ethics.

An important element to the CIMA designation is the ongoing education requirements. Certification is contingent upon meeting stringent standards for continuing education in the investment field. This provides David with the opportunity to attend conferences throughout the United States and Canada listening of a variety of keynote speakers who are experts in the investment industry.

 

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

Certification also requires adherence to a strict code of ethics. CIMA designees are expected to maintain the highest standard of personal and professional conduct. The Code declares that each investment management consultant shall:

- Each professional shall always place the financial interest of the client first. All recommendations to clients and decisions on behalf of clients shall be solely in the interest of providing the highest value and benefit to the client.

- Disclose fully to clients services provided and compensation received. All direct or indirect financial relationships between consultants and investment managers, plan officials, beneficiaries, sponsors or other potential conflicts of interest shall be fully disclosed on a timely basis.

- Provide to clients all information related to the investment decision making process as well as other information they may need to make decisions based on realistic expectations. All client inquiries shall be answered promptly, completely, and truthfully.

- Maintain the confidentiality of all information entrusted to the consultant by the client to the fullest extent permitted by law.

- Comply fully with all statutory and regulatory requirements affecting the delivery of consulting services to client.

- Endeavor to establish and maintain excellence personally and among colleagues in all aspects of consulting and financial services to clients.

- Support and participate in the activities of the IMCA to enhance the investment management consulting profession.

- Maintain the highest standard of personal conduct.