| Title |
Ross, Robert MED_2025 |
| Alternative Title |
Education and Performance in Finance |
| Creator |
Ross, Robert |
| Collection Name |
Master of Education |
| Description |
This study investigates whether financial advisors with professional designations achieve better performance outcomes than those without, analyzing data from 48 advisors across five key metrics. Results show that advisors holding credentials like CEPA®, CFP®, CRPC™, and CRPS™ outperform peers in client retention, business growth, and profitability, highlighting the strategic value of professional designations in the financial services industry. |
| Abstract |
The financial services industry demands a high level of expertise, driving many advisors to pursue professional designations such as the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®), and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®). While these designations are widely perceived to enhance credibility and client trust, their true impact on financial performance remains unclear. This study examines whether financial advisors with professional designations achieve superior performance outcomes compared to those without such credentials. Using secondary data from a large brokerage firm in the Intermountain West, the study analyzes five performance metrics of gross revenue, assets under management (AUM), 12-month profit, net new assets, and new assets excluding dividends, interest, and other using 48 financial advisors with varying levels of education and designation. Results indicate that advisors with one or more professional designations outperform their non-designated peers in nearly every category. Specifically, advisors with the CEPA®, CFP®, CRPC™, and CRPS™ designations showed significant gains in client retention, business growth, and profitability. While higher education levels were generally associated with increased performance, a bachelor's degree showed a stronger correlation with key metrics than a master's degree. The findings suggest that professional designations yield measurable returns and serve as strategic tools for client acquisition and business differentiation. However, the study also acknowledges limitations including sample size and potential external influences. These findings have practical implications for financial professionals, firms, and credentialing organizations, and underscore the importance of future research on the long-term value of financial designations and education in the advisory profession. |
| Subject |
Finance; Education, Higher; Curriculum evaluation--United States |
| Digital Publisher |
Digitized by Special Collections & University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University. |
| Date |
2025 |
| Medium |
Digital Thesis |
| Type |
Text |
| Access Extent |
45 page pdf |
| Conversion Specifications |
Adobe Acrobat |
| Language |
eng |
| Rights |
The author has granted Weber State University Archives a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce his or her thesis, in whole or in part, in electronic or paper form and to make it available to the general public at no charge. The author retains all other rights. For further information:  |
| Source |
University Archives Electronic Records: Master of Education. Stewart Library, Weber State University |
| OCR Text |
Show |
| Format |
application/pdf |
| ARK |
ark:/87278/s658pv4b |
| Setname |
wsu_smt |
| ID |
148303 |
| Reference URL |
https://digital.weber.edu/ark:/87278/s658pv4b |
