What is CIMA certification?
Answer: CIMA, or Certified Investment Management Analyst, is a professional certification awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute. It focuses on portfolio construction, asset allocation, investment selection, and risk management. Candidates must complete approved education, pass an examination and background checks, demonstrate three years of financial-services experience, and meet ongoing ethics and continuing-education requirements.
By Edward Papier, CIMA, CF2, CM&AA ยท Last updated November 5, 2026
What is the difference between CIMA and CFP?
The CFP certification covers broad financial planning, including retirement, insurance, tax and estate planning. CIMA focuses on investment management: portfolio construction, asset allocation, manager selection and risk. Many advisors hold one or the other, and some hold both. For investors whose main need is how their portfolio is built, CIMA speaks directly to that skill.
How do you earn the CIMA certification?
Candidates complete an education program through a registered education provider, often in partnership with a university business school, pass a qualification exam and a certification exam, and pass a background check. They need three years of financial services experience. To keep the certification, they must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years and follow a code of ethics.
What do CF2 and CM&AA mean?
CF2 is the Certified Financial Fiduciary designation, which focuses on the duty to act in a client's best interest. CM&AA is the Certified Merger and Acquisition Advisor credential, which covers the process of buying and selling privately held businesses, including valuation, deal structure and exit planning. Together with CIMA, they reflect investment, fiduciary and business-sale expertise.
Talk to us
To talk through your own situation, please call 212-697-3930, email ep@amadeuswealth.com, or schedule a meeting at calendly.com/ep-awa.
Edward Papier, CIMA, CF2, CM&AA
President, Amadeus Wealth Alternatives, Hackensack, NJ
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