WMSSM Designation
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Top 5 Benefits of Earning the WMSSM Designation

The WMSSM program is the perfect way to transition from a new hire to an experienced advisor.

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Industry Recognition:

The WMSSM designation is recognized as the industry-benchmark for new hires who are transitioning to a more hands-on advising role. The program is recognized and encouraged by the top financial firms. 

Stackable Credits:

WMSSM designees receive credit for the completion of FP511 in our CFP® certification education program. This allows you to save both time and money while pursuing multiple credentials.

Tangible Career Benefits:

72% of professionals surveyed with specialized financial designations such as the WMS℠ designation reported an increase in their client base after earning their most recent professional designation.


Financial planning professionals working in a financial planning role both the year before and year after receiving their most recent specialized professional designation such as the WMS℠ designation reported an average 16% earnings increase in the year after earning that professional designation.

Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements

If you currently hold a professional designation from the College, completion of a new professional designation program fulfills 16 hours of continuing education as part of the renewal of your current designation. 

Skills That Benefit You and Your Clients:

Develop new skills that can assist you in working with clients while advancing your own financial career.

"The WMSSM certificate program did a terrific job of preparing me to work with clients with an experienced advisor and eventually by myself. After finishing the program, I felt like I had an advantage over my peers."

- Peter L.

72% Client Base Increase: Increase in client base is dependent on numerous factors other than, or in addition to, completion of the specialized financial designation including specific employment conditions and individual experience. The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company does not guarantee any increase in clients resulting directly from such designation. Results are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning between June 27 and August 7, 2023. For this survey, a sample of 951 2022 and 2023 graduates of the College for Financial Planning was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 300 graduates whose most recent professional designation earned was a specialized financial designation (AAMS®, ABFP®, ADPA®, APMA®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CRPS®, CSRIC®, FPQP®, SE-AWMA®, WMS℠); worked in a financial planning role both the year before and year after receiving their most recent professional designation; and answered this question.

16% Earnings Increase: Earnings increases are dependent on numerous factors other than, or in addition to, completion of the specialized financial designation including specific employment conditions and individual experience. The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company does not guarantee any earnings increase resulting directly from such designation. Results are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by the College for Financial Planning between June 27 and August 7, 2023. For this survey, a sample of 951 2022 and 2023 graduates of the College for Financial Planning was interviewed online in English. This earnings increase was based on 366 graduates with a specialized financial designation (AAMS®, ABFP®, ADPA®, APMA®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CRPS®, CSRIC®, FPQP®, SE-AWMA®, WMS℠) who were employed in a financial planning role both the year before and year after receiving their most recent professional designation.