About IABFM

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Q1: How and when was the IABFM™ founded

The association of members was initially founded in the United States through the merger of the American Academy of Financial Management & Analysts (AAFMA) and the Founders Advisory Committee of the Original Tax and Estate Planning Law Review ' in 1996 and had just a few thousand affiliates. The merger of these two entities provided a cross-discipline association with strong reach and a mature membership platform. By 2001 the membership was predominantly operating as an international association with the majority of members living outside of the United States. In 2003 the Board mandated the creation of a non-profit association based in Hong Kong to move away from the for-profit commercial structure in the United States, to a true membership structure for the benefit of members. In 2009, the association was renamed to the International Academy of Business and Financial Management.

Q2: How is the IABFM™ Structured?

The IABFM� is a professional association governed by a Board of Standards and a membership code of ethics and standards of practice. The IABFM™ operates as a 'society' or non-profit association, with the members of the local or regional chapter making up the 'owners' of the society. At all times the IABFM™ and its members are accountable to the community and to the Board of Standards.

The Academy leadership has three governance components, a Board of Standards, which controls and governs the standards and criteria for issuing of professional designations and the curriculum requirements, an Executive Team which manages the commercial training operations of the IABFM™ network and revenue generating activities, and a Board of Governors who oversee policy decisions.

The Board of Standards is primarily made up of volunteer participation from industry leaders and academics who wish to contribute positively to industry and standards development and globally includes more than 50 professionals of the highest calibre, led by an elected Board of Governors.

The Executive Team is currently made up of international experts, some of who share equity in local training franchises, but all of whom are actively involved in the day to day commercial activities of the Academy. The US Chapter of the International Academy retains its original name as the American Academy of Financial Management, and operates a separate local chapter board of standards separate to the International structure. This entity is differentiated from the global association as it operates as a for-profit structure, and is restricted to the USA.

Q3: How do I join The International Academy of Business and Financial Management™?

You can join the IABFM™ association at any time by submitting your details on our website as an affiliate member, but you do not receive the right to use a designation as a post-nominal. If you attend one of our recognized training courses or conferences, you may qualify for the use of one of our professional designations.

As of 2009, advanced standing, exam/training waivers or exemptions are no longer offered and all professionals must complete an executive training program and examination to achieve a certificate. Anyone offering certificates purchased online are not approved by the Board of Governors and are not given legal recognition through our association.

Q4: Is the International Academy recognized worldwide?

IABFM™ has members and chapters registered in more than 145 countries providing brand recognition for the association and for our individual designations. Our greatest recognition comes from the use of our designations on business cards and email signatures of our thousands of members worldwide. However, other 'formal' recognition is broadly and readily available.

In the last three years IABFM™ has been chosen by the Greek Ministry of Finance, Chinese Government, Capital Markets Authority of Saudi Arabia, Dubai Stock Exchange (Dubai Financial Market), Kuwait Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore Monetary Authority, Qatar Financial Centre, Central Bank of Oman and others to provide training to their employees and authorized partners. IABFM™ is also formally recognized or registered with regulators worldwide.

In 2009 IABFM™ added to our formal status or global recognition achieving approval from the Capital Market Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and for the Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA) under the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. IABFM™ has also applied for formal recognition in the European Union through the Central Bank of Greece, the Insurance Companies Association, and others under the EU Mutual Recognition Directive.

In the United Arab Emirates, IABFM™ has recently registered with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority as a professional association and training organization, which gives the IABFM™ authority to issue diplomas and professional certificates locally in the GCC. IABFM™ is registered similarly with the Ministry of Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the PAAET (Kuwait Public Authority for Applied Education & Training), and various authorities in China.

Q5: How do I gain Board Certification and a Charter?

If you attend one of our recognized training courses or conferences, you may qualify for the use of one of our professional board-certified designations - this is also known as a membership charter.

As of 2009, advanced standing, exam/training waivers or exemptions are no longer offered and all professionals must complete an executive training program and examination to achieve a certificate. Anyone offering certificates purchased online are not approved by the Board of Governors and are not offering legal recognition through our association. Anyone offering board certification purchased online is not approved by the Board of Governors and such certificates are not given legal recognition through our association structure.

Q6: What is the purpose of the IABFM™?

In the face of the global financial crisis and the failure of global institutions such as Lehman Brothers, and with fraud and criminal actions perpetrated by well known industry professionals, there has never been a greater opportunity to improve the base standards of the finance sector and governance of listed companies.

Through industry thought leadership, skill-based competency training, education on ethics and standards, and commentary in the press on local and regional issues, the IABFM™ Board of Standards seeks to positively influence participation in the finance industry.

Q7: Can our company offer IABFM™ Certified Training?

IABFM™ offers courses worldwide. If you desire in-house corporate training or your institution has an interest in offering IABFM™ Executive Certification Programs through your training centers, company, or college, please apply to be one of our global licensed training providers.

Find out more about becoming a licensed training provider, click here.

Q8: Where can I get training that leads to a professional qualification?

Internationally the International Academy of Business and Financial Management conducts training in countries as diverse as China, Vietnam, India, Greece, Malta, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Check out our course calendar online for more information about executive training programs in locations near you.

In the United States our US chapter offers financial planning training and wealth management training in conjunction with BISYS International, Dearborn Kaplan, and Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Q9: How can I get involved in the association?

The easiest way for members to get involved is in local chapter organizations. Chapter organizations organize local networking activities, raise awareness of issues facing the finance industry and work with local providers in respect to training new candidates and providing ongoing professional development to existing members.

Some chapter members go on to become involved in the association more broadly and may even be nominated to join the Board of Governors, committees or the executive over time.