CIMA: Examining the Difference in Country’s Top Financial Advisors

By Scott Cruse, Los Gatos

Introduction

A Los Gatos-based executive, Scott Cruse has been with Morgan Stanley since 1987. A Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) credential holder, Scott Cruse studied at the Wharton Business School—one of only three schools nationwide recognized by the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA)—to better serve high net worth clients throughout the Los Gatos area.

There are several designations for financial professionals: CFP, CLU, ChFC, etc. However, the CIMA certification stands apart from the rest in terms of measuring performance and technical expertise.

CIMA

Distributed by the IMCA, the only nonprofit governing the wealth management profession, the CIMA certification is only available to investment consultants with a minimum of three years of professional experience.

With a core focus in high net worth asset allocations, due diligence, and long-term investment planning, CIMA certification was created to ensure that investors maintain a body of knowledge and skillset far beyond the bare minimum. CIMA professionals represent the top quartile of financial advisors nationwide, and on average both solo and team practices with a CIMA professional generate twice the revenue per client.