#United States #Atlanta #Dalton Education #Military Financial Advisor #Wake Forest University

A New Dawn for Financial Advisors Serving Military Families

In an era where specialized financial advice is crucial, Dalton Education has taken a significant step forward by partnering with Wake Forest University to provide an accredited Certified Military Financial Advisor (CMFA™) certification. This groundbreaking initiative aims to address the unique financial challenges faced by military service members, veterans, and their families, thus enhancing the capabilities of financial advisors across the nation.

Since its inception in June 2024, the CMFA™ certification has experienced a substantial uptick in adoption within the industry. However, the recent partnership with Wake Forest University marks a pivotal moment in solidifying the program's credibility and educational standards.

Meeting Unique Needs

The CMFA™ certification is meticulously designed to equip financial advisors with essential training focused on the specific financial situations encountered by military personnel. The curriculum offers insights into benefits, resources, and life circumstances that are exclusive to this community.

James Dalton, the Chief Product Officer at CeriFi, stated, "Our partnership with Wake Forest University represents a pivotal moment for the CMFA™ certification. By offering an accredited program, we're not only elevating the standard of education for financial advisors serving the military community but also addressing a critical demand for recognized, specialized training."

The gravity of the situation is underscored by the statistics: approximately 2.1 million active-duty service members and their families, along with 8.6 million employed veterans, constitute a vital segment of the workforce. Consequently, the need for financial advisors who can genuinely grasp the complexities of military financial planning has never been more pronounced.

A Strong Institutional Backing

Kerry Shronts, Executive Director for Executive Education at Wake Forest University, reaffirmed this sentiment, stating, "Our alliance with Dalton Education aligns with the Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies' commitment to equipping financial planners with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their careers."

The CMFA™ program encompasses a study requirement of 22 hours and complements existing financial planning certifications, such as the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner). One of the distinguishing factors of the program is its focus on military-related content that is often overlooked in other financial planning curriculums.

Set Apart in the Industry

Prominent firms, including Thrivent Financial and Ameriprise, have recognized the significance of equipping their advisors with this specialized training. Ameriprise Financial, in particular, has reported impressive outcomes for the clients their trained advisors have served. Myke Sampayo, a former U.S. Army sergeant and instructional design manager at Ameriprise, voiced his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, "In my experience, Ameriprise Financial has taken substantial steps to create a holistic system that supports service members and their families."

The CMFA™ program boasts several noteworthy features:

• - Self-paced learning: Tailored for busy professionals and adaptable to individual schedules.
• - Multi-modal content: Includes on-demand instruction, case studies, and practical resources for immediate application.
• - CE Credits: Qualifies for 22 hours of CFP Board-approved continuing education credits.
• - Accredited Certification: Participants receive an accredited completion certificate from Wake Forest University upon successful completion of the program.
• - Cost-effective investment: The program is priced at $1,495, making it accessible for most financial professionals.

Path Forward

Financial services firms interested in elevating their advisors' expertise can explore the accredited CMFA™ certification by visiting Dalton Education.

In summary, the collaboration between Dalton Education and Wake Forest University represents a monumental shift in the financial advisory landscape for military families, offering much-needed specialization in this crucial area. This initiative not only empowers financial advisors with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive, but it also honors the sacrifices made by service members and their families by providing them with the expert financial guidance they deserve.