We’re Fiduciaries

A fiduciary is someone who has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the assets of another person and who is required to always act in the best interests of their client, beneficiary, or the retirement plan participant. Professionals who have attained AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) designation have acquired a thorough knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and can be an invaluable resource to investment fiduciaries. An AIF® designation represents that person’s knowledge of a Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence and their application of the global standard into their own practice. 

While the practices are available to all advisors, only those who have earned the AIF® Designation are formally recognized by the Center for demonstrating a full understanding of how to implement those processes to help individuals and families pursue their investment goals in a responsible and accountable manner. AIF® Designees are committed to using the knowledge and resources they have gained through their training to:

• Employ uniform, industry-recognized processes for developing a personalized investment strategy based solely on your specific investment needs
• Apply objective, comprehensive standards for evaluating and recommending investment options for your portfolio
• Monitor and report the performance of your portfolio and its underlying investments on an ongoing basis, and recommending changes when necessary
• Conduct ongoing reviews of his or her business practices to ensure fiduciary principles are being properly applied

Designees are also trained to evaluate the fiduciary practices of investment stewards such as 401(k) and defined benefit plan sponsors and those responsible for managing endowment and foundation assets.

To maintain the Designation, AIF® Designees must complete continuing education training to keep up to date with changes in the industry and the ongoing evolution of legal requirements under the fiduciary standard. They also must recognize and formally affirm the principles and obligations stated in the Designee Code of Ethics, which governs their professional and ethical conduct.