The Center for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) is an independent assessment and certification organization with a mission to promote fiduciary best practices in the investment management Industry. CEFEX certification attests that a fiduciary can demonstrate adherence to the industry’s best practices, and is positioned to earn the public’s trust. This registration serves investors who require assurance that their investments are being managed according to commonly accepted best practices. CEFEX certification verifies that your advisor is working for you!
How Firms Gain CEFEX Certification
The CEFEX Fiduciary Assessment is an independent risk-based assessment of an organization’s ability to meet investors’ expectations. Using quantitative and qualitative criteria, it measures adherence to generally accepted fiduciary practices. The Fiduciary Certification is performed by a qualified CEFEX Analyst, and reviewed by the CEFEX Registration Committee to ensure complete impartiality. The process uses the ISO 19011 audit standard, an internationally recognized standard for testing process management systems. Certification includes analysis of structural risk at the organization level. This includes a review of business management from board level down to middle and back office support, including sales and marketing, compliance and risk management, information technology, business continuity planning, and overall resource allocation. Additionally, the certification process analyzes the investment risk of asset management. This is a flow-through review of the investment process from research to trade execution, including portfolio construction and holdings, strategic and tactical asset allocation, and performance attribution.
CEFEX (Centre for Fiduciary Excellence) is an independent global assessment and certification organization that has conducted a voluntary third-party assessment of Savant’s books and records to evaluate Savant’s adherence to a defined fiduciary standard. CEFEX certification should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of Savant by any of its clients. For more information on CEFEX, please visit www.cefex.org.
Savant’s CEFEX Certifications
Savant has become certified in the following areas through CEFEX.
Investment Stewards:
A person or organization which has the legal responsibility for managing investment decisions (trustees and investment committee members).
- Savant’s CEFEX Investment Steward Certificate
- Savant’s CEFEX Investment Steward Letter of Registration
Investment Advisors:
A professional who is responsible for managing comprehensive and continuous investment decisions (including wealth managers, financial advisors, trust officers, financial consultants, investment consultants, and financial planners).
- Savant’s CEFEX Investment Advisor Certificate
- Savant’s CEFEX Investment Advisor Letter of Registration
Plan Administrator under ERISA 3(16):
A Recordkeeper or Administrator’s conformity to all Practices and criteria within the ASPPA Standard of Practice. It implies that the firm can demonstrate adherence to the industry’s best practices, and is positioned to serve fiduciaries such as Investment Advisors, Investment Managers and Investment Stewards (eg. Plan Sponsors).
- Savant’s CEFEX ASPPA Administration Services Certificate
- Savant’s CEFEX ASPPA Administration Services Letter of Registration
A successful certification process, as decided by the CEFEX Registration Committee, results in a CEFEX certificate being issued, registration on CEFEX’s public database, under Registered Firms, and permitted use of the CEFEX mark in both print and web form.