Designations Matter If You Want an Edge: IWI 

Advisors holding Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and Retirement Management Advisor (RMA) designations outperform their non-credentialed peers.  

The Investments and Wealth Institute’s (IWI) latest report crunched data on advisor performance tied to certifications. CIMA (investment expertise), CPWA (high-net-worth focus), and RMA (retirement planning) holders outshine non-credentialed advisors in revenue, assets under management, and client retention, proving that out-learning rivals is key to out-earning them. 

CIMA advisors earn 20% to 25% more, CPWA advisors manage 30% larger books, and RMA holders see 15% higher client satisfaction, per the IWI survey. With more than 22,000 advisors certified, according to IWI data, this edge—rooted in specialized training—fuels moves like Greer Financial’s $1.35 billion shift to Stifel, where credentials matter. 

Advisor teams lacking IWI certifications managed an average of $393 million in assets. Those with IWI’s CIMA designation averaged $659.5 million, CPWA holders reached $483.2 million, RMA recipients hit $500.7 million, and advisors with all three IWI certifications oversaw roughly $612.8 million. 

The IWI report, partnered with CEG Insights, surveyed 1,093 advisors. Triple-certified advisors topped the income chart at $762,000, a more than $190,000 edge over the non-credentialed baseline of roughly $572,000. Advisors with all three certifications have set themselves up for peak success, spotlighting the edge of these ‘triple threat’ advisors, according to the report. 

Even advisors with a single IWI certification saw income gains. CPWA holders averaged $721,154 annually, compared to $569,569 for those without an institute credential—a 27% boost. The study also identified a select group of IWI-certified advisors consistently earning over $1 million per year. 

The research revealed that certified advisors draw wealthier clients. Those with at least one IWI credential are more likely to serve ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and families with over $25 million in assets. Advisors holding one or more Institute certifications tend to attract clients with greater wealth, the report noted. 

Nearly 33% of CIMA and CPWA holders reported serving ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients on average, compared to just over 23% of non-certified advisors. Advisors with CIMA or CPWA designations were also more likely to oversee $1 billion or more in assets. Advisor teams with at least one member holding an institute certification manage an average of $267 million more in assets than teams without any IWI-credentialed advisors. 

Certified advisors stand out by delivering a wider array of financial services, according to the IWI report. The study showed they’re more likely to offer wealth preservation strategies, tax-efficient investing, and estate planning—services increasingly sought by HNW clients. 

CPWA-certified advisors emphasized tax mitigation and estate planning, while RMA holders specialized in retirement income strategies. The study also revealed that over 64% of certified RMAs used digital tools to connect with younger family members and support clients in intergenerational wealth transfers. 

Advisors holding IWI certifications often leverage digital platforms to connect with younger clients, a key strategy for retaining assets during intergenerational wealth transfers, according to the report. 

The IWI survey compared advisors with CFP certifications to those with IWI designations, finding that both CFP holders and advisors with CIMA, CPWA, or RMA credentials were significantly more likely to manage most or all their clients’ investable assets. In contrast, non-credentialed advisors typically oversaw less than 75% of their clients’ investments. 

The report revealed that advisors without IWI designations and those with only a CFP credential were more likely to serve the mass affluent segment—clients with $100,000 to under $1 million in investable assets. While IWI-certified advisors adopted digital tools at rates of 59.49% to 64.4% to engage younger clients, non-certified advisors and CFP-only advisors lagged significantly in this area.”