Everything you need to know about how TrustedAdvisorMatch works — whether you're a consumer looking for an advisor or an advisor considering applying.
TrustedAdvisorMatch is an independent verification and matching platform. When you Google a financial advisor, you get their marketing. When you search directories like Yelp or even NAPFA, you get self-reported profiles. What you don't get is independent verification that any of it is true.
TrustedAdvisorMatch confirms credentials, licenses, and regulatory records through publicly available primary sources — FINRA BrokerCheck, SEC IAPD, CFP Board, CFA Institute, and relevant state licensing authorities. Credentials are confirmed through publicly available sources, not solely self-reported.
Beyond verification, our methodology identifies professionals whose credentials, experience, and client minimums align with your stated needs — so introductions are structured around relevant fit, not chance.
The intake takes about five minutes. It asks about your age, financial situation, what brought you here, and what kind of help you're looking for. No exact numbers required — approximate ranges are enough.
Your intake answers build a complexity profile that our methodology runs against our verified professional database — credentials, specializations, client minimums, and geographic availability. Three professionals whose experience and credentials align with your stated needs are identified and presented to you.
Your contact information is not shared until you approve it. You review each professional's profile and approve information sharing with the one that feels right. The professional you select has 2 business days to respond. After that, it's a direct conversation between you and the professional — TrustedAdvisorMatch steps back.
If the professional you selected does not respond within 2 business days, return to your results page to approve an introduction with one of your remaining options — at no additional charge and within 30 days of your original intake.
TrustedAdvisorMatch charges a one-time $99 matching fee. There is no subscription, no recurring charge, and no additional cost if you need a re-match within 30 days.
The $99 covers the verification-backed introduction process — the work of confirming every professional in our network through publicly available sources, running your complexity profile against their credentials and specializations, and presenting professionals whose experience aligns with your stated needs. You are paying for a structured, verification-backed introduction — not for access to a directory.
TrustedAdvisorMatch is designed for consumers with $250,000 or more in investable assets. At that level, the cost of the wrong advisor relationship — in poor advice, missed opportunities, or misaligned strategy — is orders of magnitude greater than $99. We charge what the service is worth, not what creates the least friction.
Tier classifications reflect objective professional characteristics — credential depth and years of experience. Higher tiers are not better in every situation — they reflect greater complexity of practice. Tier classifications do not represent an endorsement, ranking, or evaluation of investment performance.
All tiers require no current bars or suspensions reflected in publicly available records, disclosed compensation model, and fiduciary representation as required by applicable law. Professionals are identified based on your stated needs — not assigned by tier.
Credentials and regulatory records are confirmed through publicly available primary sources, not solely through advisor self-report. Specifically:
Verification is not one-time. TrustedAdvisorMatch conducts annual verification checks on listed advisors as part of its ongoing review process. An advisor whose credentials lapse or who receives a regulatory action is flagged for internal review as part of our ongoing verification process.
Every professional on TrustedAdvisorMatch represents that they will respond to consumer introductions within 2 business days — as a condition of verified status.
If an advisor fails to respond within 2 business days, TrustedAdvisorMatch will arrange an introduction with the next matched advisor, and a non-response strike is recorded against the advisor's account. Two strikes within a rolling 12-month period triggers a removal review following TrustedAdvisorMatch's internal review process.
If capacity is an issue, advisors can pause introductions at any time without penalty. A pause is always better than a non-response. The consumer paid $99 for a structured introduction — non-response is inconsistent with the professional standards every TrustedAdvisorMatch advisor has agreed to.
If you have a broader concern about an advisor's conduct — something that happened in your conversation or relationship — you can report it to TrustedAdvisorMatch at [email protected]. Reported concerns may be reviewed against our published professional standards.
Yes. If your introduction doesn't result in a connection within 30 days — for any reason — you can request a re-match at no additional charge. There is no obligation to move forward with any advisor you're introduced to, and no explanation required.
TrustedAdvisorMatch's commitment is a structured, verification-backed introduction — not a guaranteed relationship. What happens after the introduction is between you and the professional.
If you can tell us generally what wasn't a fit (experience level, communication style, geographic preference, specialization), it helps us find a better match. But it's entirely optional.
No. TrustedAdvisorMatch does not provide investment advice, financial planning, or any form of personalized financial guidance. TrustedAdvisorMatch is a verification and matching service — we confirm that advisors meet objective standards and introduce you to advisors who fit your situation.
All financial advice comes from the advisor you choose to work with, not from TrustedAdvisorMatch. TrustedAdvisorMatch has no role in the advice your advisor provides and no liability for it to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
TrustedAdvisorMatch is an independent platform with no affiliation to any financial services firm. TrustedAdvisorMatch accepts no advertising, sponsorships, or revenue from asset managers, broker-dealers, insurance companies, or any firm with a financial interest in advisor introductions.
TrustedAdvisorMatch operates under a published Doctrine — the constitutional foundation governing every admission and removal decision. The Doctrine is public, the criteria are objective, and no advisor can buy their way in or around the standard. Professional standards are reviewed and updated periodically to reflect current credential and regulatory requirements.
Professionals pay a flat annual fee to be verified and listed — not per introduction, not based on volume, and not tied to how many clients they convert. This means TrustedAdvisorMatch has no financial incentive to route more introductions to professionals who pay more, and no incentive to inflate the network to generate fees.
Your information is used solely to identify professionals whose experience and credentials align with your stated needs. It is never sold, rented, or shared with any third party — including the advisors you are not matched with.
When you are introduced to an advisor, that advisor receives only the information necessary to initiate a conversation — your name, contact information, and a summary of what you're looking for. They do not receive your full intake responses.
TrustedAdvisorMatch does not sell lead data. Your contact information is never shared with advisors who have not accepted your specific match, and is never distributed to financial services firms for marketing purposes.
Not all financial designations are created equal. The ones that appear in TrustedAdvisorMatch's tier system require proctored exams, verified experience, and ongoing continuing education from accredited issuing bodies. Here is what each one means, in plain language, sourced directly from the organizations that issue them.
| Designation | What it means |
|---|---|
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CFP®
CFP Board
Tier 2
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The CFP® is widely recognized as the standard credential for comprehensive financial planning. Candidates must complete CFP Board-registered coursework covering nine principal knowledge domains, pass a 170-question, six-hour exam offered three times per year, and satisfy either 6,000 hours of professional experience or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship experience. A bachelor's degree is required. CFP® professionals must sign an ethics declaration, pass a background check, and complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years — including two hours of ethics. They are bound by the CFP Board's fiduciary standard, requiring them to act in clients' best interests.
Source: CFP Board — cfp.net
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CIMA®
Investments & Wealth Institute
Tier 2 Tier 3
|
The CIMA® is a graduate-level certification in portfolio construction and investment management, designed for client-facing advisors who manage the investment needs of high-net-worth and institutional clients. Candidates complete an executive education program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business or Yale School of Management, pass a four-hour, 120-question proctored exam, and document at least three years of verified experience in financial services. The program covers advanced portfolio theory, risk management, asset allocation, behavioral finance, and performance measurement. Forty hours of continuing education are required every two years. Accredited by ANAB. |
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CFA®
CFA Institute
Tier 2 Tier 3
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The CFA® charter is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous investment credentials in the financial services industry. Candidates must pass three sequential exams — each requiring approximately 300 hours of study — covering investment analysis, portfolio management, ethics, economics, financial reporting, and wealth planning. Candidates must also accumulate at least 4,000 hours of relevant investment work experience over a minimum of three years, provide professional references, and become a member of CFA Institute. The CFA designation is globally recognized and most commonly held by professionals who specialize in investment analysis and portfolio management.
Source: CFA Institute — cfainstitute.org
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ChFC®
The American College of Financial Services
Tier 2
|
The ChFC® covers comprehensive financial planning in equivalent depth to the CFP® certification, with additional coursework in behavioral finance, contemporary planning applications, and specialized client situations. Candidates complete eight college-level courses through The American College of Financial Services, pass a proctored exam at the end of each course, and must have at least three years of full-time relevant business experience to use the designation. Thirty hours of continuing education are required every two years. Holders must comply with The American College Code of Ethics. |
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CPWA®
Investments & Wealth Institute
Tier 3
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The CPWA® is an advanced credential designed specifically for advisors who work with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Candidates must already hold a bachelor's degree or an existing professional designation (CIMA®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, or CPA) and document five years of verified experience in financial services before earning the designation. The program requires completion of an executive education course at Chicago Booth, Yale School of Management, or through the Institute, followed by a four-hour, 135-question proctored exam. Curriculum covers tax strategies, estate planning, portfolio management, risk management, closely held business planning, and family dynamics. Forty hours of continuing education required every two years. |
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RICP®
The American College of Financial Services
Tier 3
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The RICP® is a specialized designation in retirement income planning — widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive credentials available for advisors focused on building sustainable retirement income strategies. Candidates complete three college-level courses covering retirement income process, sources of retirement income, and managing a retirement income plan, and pass a proctored 100-question exam at the end of each course. Three years of relevant professional experience is required to use the designation. The RICP® covers Social Security optimization, annuities, long-term care, portfolio distribution strategies, and Medicare. Thirty hours of continuing education required every two years. |
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CLU®
The American College of Financial Services
Tier 3
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The CLU® is the oldest and most recognized credential in life insurance and risk management planning, awarded by The American College of Financial Services since 1927. Candidates complete four required courses covering life insurance concepts and law, risk management, estate planning applications, and business insurance planning, and pass a proctored exam for each course. Three years of relevant professional experience is required. The CLU® is particularly relevant for clients with complex insurance needs, business succession planning, or estate transfer strategies. Thirty hours of continuing education required every two years. |
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ChSNC®
The American College of Financial Services
Special Needs
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The ChSNC® is a designation focused specifically on special needs financial planning and disability planning. Candidates complete three courses covering special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, SSI and Medicaid eligibility, disability planning, life insurance, and estate planning strategies for families with dependents who have disabilities. Candidates must have at least five years of professional experience in financial services or law, or four years plus an undergraduate degree. The program is designed as a specialization layered on top of an existing financial planning credential. A background check and ongoing continuing education are required. |
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JD
ABA-accredited law school
Tier 3
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A Juris Doctor is a three-year graduate law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited institution. In the context of financial planning, a JD signals deep expertise in areas with significant legal overlap — estate planning, trust law, tax law, business succession, and charitable giving strategies. Financial advisors who hold a JD have formal training in the legal frameworks that govern wealth transfer and often work closely with estate attorneys or serve clients with complex legal and financial coordination needs. |
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CPA
State Board of Accountancy (active license required)
Tier 3
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A Certified Public Accountant license is issued by each state's Board of Accountancy and requires passing the Uniform CPA Examination — four sections covering auditing, financial accounting, regulation, and business concepts. Most states require 150 semester hours of college education and one to two years of supervised experience. CPAs who also practice financial planning bring deep expertise in tax planning, income tax strategy, business entity structure, and tax-efficient investing. For complex clients, an advisor who holds a CPA license can coordinate financial and tax planning in a way that generalist advisors cannot.
Source: AICPA — aicpa-cima.com
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All designations listed above require the holder to maintain active status with the issuing body. TrustedAdvisorMatch independently verifies that each designation is current and in good standing before displaying it on an advisor's profile — it is never self-reported.
Answer questions about your situation. Our methodology identifies professionals whose experience and credentials align with your stated needs — you choose who to connect with. One-time matching fee ($1 during pilot). $250K+ investable assets.
The application is a five-step process completed online. The steps are:
Verification checks are initiated upon submission and typically completed within several business days. Applications are reviewed and processed in the order received.
TrustedAdvisorMatch is currently in pilot — there is no membership fee during the pilot phase. Founding advisors receive full verification, badge rights, and consumer introductions at no cost while we build the platform. Contact [email protected] to apply as a founding advisor.
At launch following the pilot, TrustedAdvisorMatch membership is $950 per year for the home state, plus $250 per additional licensed state, capped at $2,950 — the same fee structure for every verified advisor regardless of tier, firm size, or number of introductions received. Founding advisors will receive advance notice before any fee applies.
There are no per-introduction fees, no match fees, no pay-per-lead arrangements, and no revenue sharing. You pay $950/year (home state) + $250 per additional state, capped at $2,950 to be verified and listed. There are no per-introduction fees under the current membership structure.
No. TrustedAdvisorMatch is not a lead auction. You do not bid for visibility, you do not compete on price, and consumer contact information is never sold or shared with multiple advisors simultaneously.
When a consumer completes the intake, our methodology identifies up to three professionals whose credentials, specializations, client minimums, and geographic availability align with the consumer's stated needs. The consumer reviews each profile and approves information sharing with the professional of their choice. A consumer who selects you has chosen you specifically — their information is not shared with other professionals without their separate approval.
Once a match is made, the consumer's contact information and a summary of their situation are shared with you directly. You have 2 business days to reach out. There is no accept/decline fee decision — you are a verified member of the platform and introductions are a benefit of that membership.
TrustedAdvisorMatch conducts annual verification checks on listed advisors as part of its ongoing review process. In most cases this requires nothing from you — the checks run against FINRA BrokerCheck, SEC IAPD, and designation body records.
You will receive notification if:
If your record remains clean and your credentials are current, recertification is seamless. An advisor who no longer meets the standards for their tier is downtiered — not automatically removed — and has the opportunity to respond before any status change is reflected publicly.
Yes. Removal can occur for the following reasons:
Removal decisions — other than those triggered by clear regulatory actions — are evaluated against the published TrustedAdvisorMatch professional standards. You will always receive written notice of the basis for removal and have 30 calendar days to appeal. Professional standards are reviewed and updated periodically to reflect current credential and regulatory requirements. Including removal decisions.
Apply for the highest tier you genuinely qualify for. Sequential progression is not required — if you have 12 years of experience, a CFP®, and a CIMA®, apply for Tier 3 directly. If you hold a CIMA® and a CFP®, the CIMA® satisfies either the Tier 2 anchor or the Tier 3 additional requirement — not both simultaneously.
If you're uncertain, the tier requirements are published in full on the application and on the For Advisors page. The short version:
If you apply for a tier and TrustedAdvisorMatch's verification determines you don't quite qualify, we'll let you know which tier you do qualify for and give you the option to accept that placement or withdraw your application.
Specializations are optional disclosed practice areas that appear on your public TrustedAdvisorMatch profile. They signal to consumers — and to the identification process — that your practice has focus in a specific area based on your credentials and disclosed experience. You may list up to two.
The 12 available specializations are:
Each specialization has a defined verification standard — typically a supporting designation, documented practice history, or both. A claimed specialization that cannot be verified is removed without affecting your tier status.
Yes — and that's one of the core benefits of TrustedAdvisorMatch membership. Your tier badge is a verified credential mark you can display on your website, email signature, business cards, LinkedIn profile, and client-facing materials.
A few important rules:
The full badge usage guide — including approved sizes, backgrounds, and placement rules — is available at trustedadvisormatch.com/badge-guide.
TrustedAdvisorMatch operates under a published Doctrine — the constitutional foundation governing every admission and removal decision. The Doctrine is public, the criteria are objective, and no advisor can buy their way in or around the standard. Professional standards are reviewed and updated periodically to reflect current credential and regulatory requirements.
Any change to tier requirements will be announced with a 90-day implementation window before taking effect. You will always have advance notice of any change that affects your tier status — and the implementation window gives you time to respond.
TrustedAdvisorMatch's professional standards framework is publicly available on the TrustedAdvisorMatch website.
Yes — a disclosure does not automatically disqualify you. Context matters. TrustedAdvisorMatch distinguishes between disclosures that reflect genuine conduct concerns and those that reflect technical or administrative matters, resolved disputes, or situations with significant mitigating context.
The application includes a disclosure field where you can describe the nature, date, and resolution of any items on your record. This information is reviewed in accordance with the published TrustedAdvisorMatch professional standards.
Disclosures that result in automatic denial include:
If your disclosure falls outside these categories, applying with full context is encouraged. Undisclosed items discovered during verification result in denial without appeal.
The application takes about 20 minutes. Verification is completed within 5–7 business days.
Still have a question? Email us at [email protected] — we respond within one business day.