Find an Institute-designated Advisor
Near You

Consumers can search for a CLU or CHS designation holder in their community by visiting the Find an Advisor search engine.

Simply select CLU or CHS in the designation field.

Why use a Designated Advisor?

Designations set individuals apart by providing a clear way of distinguishing one type of professional from another. Designation marks (the letters that professionals list after their name) help to clearly represent that a professional has successfully met an established standard for competent practice.

It is not only important to look for designations when selecting an advisor but also important to know what designation you should be looking for. If you need specialized advice, you may want to look for an advisor with a designation that indicates expertise in that area. Here's a guide to designations to assist you when looking for and choosing a financial advisor.

Designations Granted and Enforced By The Institute

Chartered Life Underwriter, CLU®
The Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) is a professional financial advisor specializing in developing effective solutions for individuals, business owners and professionals in the areas of income replacement, risk management, estate planning, and wealth transfer. For more than 80 years, the CLU designation has been widely recognized as a mark of excellence in the industry.

Chartered Financial Consultant, CH.F.C.
A Chartered Financial Consultant (CH.F.C.) is a financial advisor with advanced knowledge in wealth accumulation and retirement planning. An advisor with a CH.F.C. is an expert in retirement planning and capital accumulation strategies.

Certified Health Insurance Specialist
The CHS designation positions financial advisors to meet the growing market demand for informed living benefits advice, through education and practice expertise in all relevant health insurance areas including disability insurance, critical illness, long-term care insurance, basic and extended health insurance, drug and dental insurance, emergency medical insurance plans for travellers and insurance that provides immediate access to healthcare.

Registered Health Underwriter, RHU
An RHU (Registered Health Underwriter) is a professional financial advisor specializing in living benefits, including income replacement and risk management solutions for individuals, business owners and professionals.

Other Recognized Industry Designations

Certified Financial Planner, CFP®
The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is an internationally recognized standard for financial planning. It is granted by the Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC). An advisor with a CFP may help you with personal financial planning and offer advice on investment products and strategies.

Canadian Investment Management, CIM
Advisors with the CIM designation are trained to offer advice on structuring a stock portfolio. The designation is conferred by the Canadian Securities Institute and indicates successful completion of courses in investment management and portfolio management.

Certified General Accountant, CGA
Advisors with the CGA designation are members of the Certified General Accountants Association and have completed the CGA program, which combines training in theoretical and analytical knowledge together with practical work experience. They have extensive training in accounting, tax and financial management and are required to adhere to a code of conduct and a mandatory continuing education program.

Certified Management Accountant, CMA
Advisors with the CMA designation are strategic financial management professionals who combine accounting expertise and business acumen with professional management skills to provide leadership, innovation and an integrating perspective to organizational decision-making. The CMA designation in management accounting is granted and regulated by CMA Canada under the authorization of provincial legislation.

Certified Senior Advisor, CSA
This North American qualification attests to an advisor’s ability to provide answers on health, social and financial matters for the 50-plus population.

Chartered Accountant, CA
Advisors with the CA designation are trained to provide advice in accounting, auditing and tax planning. The CA program combines academic study, professional education and practical working experience and ensures that students develop analytical, financial, accounting, communication and leadership skills.

Elder Planning Counsellor, EPC
Plan your future with an Elder Planning Counselor. Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge designed by Canadians for Canadian professionals. If you are part of Canada’s largest, growing population segment, the 55-plus crowd, then you will profit by working with an EPC. These people know and understand the issues and alternatives that are important and unique to your senior life; respect your circumstances and confidentiality; provide guidance and assistance in financial, emotional, spiritual and health issues with your best interests in mind; create solutions that acknowledge your particular concerns and challenges; inconspicuously accommodate any age-appropriate physical challenges and impairments that you may have to ensure that your needs are met.

Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, FCSI®
The FCSI designation is awarded by the Canadian Securities Institute to financial services professionals who have met exacting standards for industry experience, advanced education and solid endorsement from their peers and superiors.

Registered Financial Planner, R.F.P.
The R.F.P. designation is conferred by the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners. R.F.P.s are full-time practitioners required to follow a comprehensive process factoring in all related components to help their clients navigate through complex financial situations. To earn the designation, R.F.P.s must successfully complete a case-based technical examination and submit a multifaceted, comprehensive financial plan for peer review.