Stand Out as a Specialist
The market rewards professionals who go deeper to support clients with significant wealth and complex needs. See how a specialized designation can be your key to success.
Deeper Expertise for Deeper Value
Stand Out as a Specialist
Accelerate growth with advanced proficiency in the complex planning areas your clients need most.
Horizons 2026
An Epic Retirement Planning Experience
Horizons is back for its second year. Join us in Orlando for an epic retirement planning experience featuring the profession’s top experts, networking events that connect you with industry veterans, experiential excursions, and more!
The Beacon for the Financial Services Profession
Client needs are changing. Markets are shifting. The industry is evolving. Since 1927, The American College of Financial Services has leaned into its mission to deliver applied financial knowledge and catalyze change.
Outsized Outcomes For You. For Society.
200K
Students have completed at least one of The College’s professional designation, certification, or graduate degree courses.
350+
Retirement planning professionals attended The College's inaugural flagship event, Horizons 2025.
+13%
Higher growth in earnings is one of the outcomes College designees experienced over the past three years compared to advisors with no designations.
By using behavioral finance to keep clients in a plan…that's how we're specializing. That's how we're talking to our clients, and a lot of that came from our education at The American College of Financial Services.
Scott Winslow, MSFS, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, AEP®, CCFC
After selling my business of 22 years, I went back to school and chose a new career path. The College’s Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation program gave me all the answers I needed to speak the language of other professionals and members of the nonprofit community.
Dominique Langerman, MPA, CAP®
The College’s Tax Planning Certified Professional® (TPCP®) Program gave me in-depth knowledge to help individual clients and private foundations reduce their tax burdens. The designation provides great confidence to clients, and most of them stick with me for their tax planning year after year.
Philip Wu, EA, NSSA®, CTRS, TPCP®, AFSP, CETF®
The strength of The College’s curriculum is what drew me to it, and it’s what allowed me to expand my opportunities and accelerate my career through that knowledge.
Heather Welsh, CFP®, AEP®, MSFS
The College’s education has been like body armor for me. I’ll absolutely be a lifelong learner.
Terry Parham, MSFP, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, WMCP®
What I learned at The American College of Financial Services gave me the confidence and knowledge to get creative with helping business owners and others in need of succession planning fund their own retirements.
Irv Rosenzweig, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CRPS®, AEP®, AIF®
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Insights and Resources for What’s Happening Now
Press
New Campaign Spotlights the Specialist
The American College of Financial Services shows the value of designations by focusing on specialized areas of planning, helping consumers find professionals who match their needs.
October 08, 2025
Insights
As Economic Struggles Rise, Planning Plummets
In recent years, the financial landscape for American consumers has undergone a dramatic transformation. Mounting economic pressures, shifting generational attitudes, and growing uncertainty have led…
December 30, 2025
News
College News Roundup: December 2025
At The American College of Financial Services, our thought leaders are spearheading important discussions on the most pressing topics in financial services today. Here’s a look at how we’re…
December 29, 2025
Insights
Methodologies for AI Assessments, Reviews, and Audits
Artificial intelligence is advancing quickly, but effective governance remains a significant challenge for financial services leaders.
December 29, 2025
Insights
The Future of Advice Belongs to Human and Technology Partnerships
According to Asset-Map’s “Advice 2030" whitepaper, the next five years will usher in the most dramatic shift in how financial advice is created, communicated, and distributed.
December 12, 2025
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1 Orion Study. 2021.
2 Herbers and Company Service Market Growth Study. 2023.
3 RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey. The American College of Financial Services. 2022.