CTFA – Certified Trust and Financial Advisor.  The CTFA designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of personal trust, have graduated from a personal trust school program, and have passed the CTFA exam. The four areas of discipline which encompass the CTFA designation include: (a) Fiduciary Responsibilities and Trust Activities; (b) Personal Finance, Insurance and Estate Planning; (c) Tax Law; and (d) Investment Management.

CRSP – Certified Retirement Services Professional.  The CRSP designation is awarded only to individuals who have illustrated distinctive knowledge in the field of retirement services, have graduated from an employee benefits program, and have passed the CRSP exam. The areas of discipline covered by the CRSP include: (a) Plan Type, Design and Installation; (b) Legal and Regulatory Compliance; (c) Operations and Accounting; and (d) Investments.

CPA – Certified Public Accountant.  The CPA certification allows individuals to practice as a licensed certified public accountant in the United States.  In order to become a CPA, it is mandatory to pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, as well as a special examination on ethics, which is set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

J.D. - Juris Doctor. This is the technical name for a law degree. To earn the degree, lawyers must successfully complete a rigorous three year course of study covering a broad range of subjects including trusts and estates, business law, real estate law, contracts, torts, constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, legal writing and research, legal ethics and more. To practice in a state, a lawyer must be licensed, which means passing the state's bar exam or having the requisite training and/or experience to be accepted under the state's waiver/rules. All lawyers employed by American Trust Center are licensed in North Dakota and may also be licensed in other states.

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