Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA) was founded in 1985 in Colorado to provide investment consulting and wealth management credentials and educational offerings for its members. IMCA is both a certification organization and a membership association.
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Membership
IMCA members work in all areas of the financial services industry. Approximately half serve at major national and regional brokerage firms; about a quarter of IMCA members work independently. In 2011, IMCA reported that membership had grown to 8,400. By 2013, IMCA membership topped 9,000—a 7 percent increase over the previous year.
In September 2013, Tim Whiting was hired as national sales director. Whiting served as group publisher at SourceMedia from 2006 until 2013.
Conferences
IMCA hosts Best of IMCA regional seminars around the country and four to five major conferences each year A New York Consultants Conference is held annually in January or February, and IMCA’s Annual Conference is held each spring. This conference is the largest association gathering of investment advisors and private wealth management professionals in the country.
Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)
Since 1988, IMCA has offered the Certified Investment Management Analyst certification to experienced financial consultants who have successfully completed the educational program and met other certification requirements, including examination. CIMA professionals provide investment advice and guidance to both individuals and institutions.
In April 2011, CIMA certification earned accreditation by the American National Standards Institute, making it the only financial services designation in the United States accredited under an international personnel certification standard (ISO 17024).
To earn CIMA certification, applicants must demonstrate at least three years of financial industry experience before passing a background check, qualification exam, and certification exam. After self- study and passing the qualification exam, all candidates attend a week-long executive education program at a qualifying institution including: The University of Chicago Booth School of Business or The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania or MIT Sloan School of Management.
Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA)
IMCA also offers the Certified Private Wealth Advisor credential designed for advisors and wealth managers who specialize in counseling high-net-worth clients. The curriculum immerses professionals into issues dealing with estate and tax planning, executive compensation, stock options, charitable planning and more. The certification reinforces advanced expertise in the life cycle of wealth: accumulating, preserving and protecting, and distributing.
The registered education provider for the CPWA certification is The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.