ASPPA Expands Expertise in Recordkeeper Certification Program
ARLINGTON, VA, September 30, 2009 -- Brian Graff, executive director and chief executive officer of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA), announced today that the ASPPA Recordkeeper Certification program has expanded its field of analysts and experts. The certification promotes service provider excellence, and the recent expansion follows the increased adoption by qualified retirement plan third party administration firms to demonstrate their adherence to best management practices while serving fiduciaries throughout the retirement industry.
The Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) monitors the ASPPA Recordkeeper Certification program through the oversight of an independent registration committee of fiduciary, rating, and retirement plan professionals. The committee reviews ASPPA record keeper assessments and registration recommendations from analysts and awards or denies certification. The committee recently expanded to include Laura S. Moskwa, CPC, QPA, of Laura S. Moskwa Consulting, Auburn, Calif. She has 25 years of experience in the record keeping and retirement industry, and she adds invaluable practical insight to operational matters for ASPPA record keeper assessments. Moskwa also serves on the ASPPA Board of Directors, the ASPPA Executive Committee, and co-chairs the ASPPA Marketing Committee.
The standards of practice for the ASPPA Recordkeeper Certification program are similar in structure to those published in 2006 by Fiduciary360 for fiduciary advisors, managers, and plan sponsors. The fi360 practices form the basis for the current CEFEX certification programs. Analysts qualified by CEFEX to perform ASPPA Recordkeeper Certification assessments must carry an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst. (AIFAR) designation and at least one of the following ASPPA designations: Qualified 401k Administrator (QKA), Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA), Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) or Fellow, Society of Pension Actuaries (FSPA).
The group of analysts qualified to conduct the assessments has grown from the pioneering contribution of Roland„ Criss Fiduciary Services of Arlington, Texas, and now include the following firms:
- Roland„ Criss Fiduciary Services, Arlington, Texas: Donald Denton, QKA, AIFA
- Plan Compliance Services, Tampa, Fla.: Terrance Power, QPA, APR, ERPA, CFP, AIFA, CLU, ChFC
- Midwest Fiduciary Services, Oacoma, S.D.: Irene Diamond, CPC, QPA, AIFA, CPA
- Fiduciary Excellence Assessors, Rockford, Ill.: Joel Radakovitz, CPC, QPA, AIFA, CPA, MST, CFP
These CEFEX qualified analysts represent a broad range of industry-related credentials and practical experience. Additional information is available in their biographies on the CEFEX Web site (www.cefex.org).
To date, there are 19 firms registered as Certified ASPPA Recordkeepers. These firms have demonstrated their leadership and commitment to qualified retirement plan administration excellence to the fiduciaries they serve. For more details about the program, visit www.asppa.org or visit the ASPPA booth at the upcoming ASPPA Annual Conference, in National Harbor, Md., Nov. 1-4, 2009.
About the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries
The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) is a national organization of more than 6,500 retirement plan and benefits professionals that serves as the educator, voice, and advocate for the employer-based retirement system. ASPPA members are administrators, actuaries, advisors, attorneys, accountants, and other financial services professionals who provide consulting and administrative services for qualified retirement plans.
About the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence
The Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) is an independent global assessment and certification organization. It works closely with investment fiduciaries and industry experts to provide comprehensive assessment programs to improve risk management for institutional and retail investors. CEFEX certification helps determine trustworthiness of investment fiduciaries.
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