What Is ANAB Accreditation and Why Does It Matter for Financial Service Certifications?

What Is ANAB Accreditation?

ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) accreditation is a formal recognition given to organizations — such as standards bodies and certification providers — that have thoroughly demonstrated their ability to assess and certify individuals or organizations according to rigorous, internationally recognized standards.

ANAB is the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in North America, with more than 2,500 organizations accredited in approximately 80 countries. It operates under American national standards and international standards, including ISO/IEC 17024, which is specific to personnel certification bodies. ISO/IEC 17024 was articulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2003 in order to harmonize the personnel certification process worldwide.

The ISO/IEC 17024 standard is assessment-based, which means that certification may be conferred only upon those candidates who successfully have completed a competency-based certification examination. The certification examination must be fair, valid, and reliable, and accurately measure whether an individual has the necessary competencies for the job in question. The examination cannot discriminate between people based upon non-competency related factors such as race, age, gender, or ethnicity.

It is important to note that ANAB does not issue certifications directly but accredits third-party organizations that award certifications. Gaining organizational accreditation involves a thorough evaluation process, including document reviews and on-site visits, to ensure that the certification body operates impartially, transparently, and reliably. For organizations offering competency-based assessments, ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation is considered to be a premier choice. In fact, many US government agencies rely on ANAB to assure the competency of their programs, including the United States Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Federal and State OSHA, and the FDA.

Why Does ANAB Accreditation Matter for Financial Services Certification?

ANAB accreditation ensures that a financial services certification program meets the highest standards for fairness, validity, reliability, and impartiality. This means the certification is trustworthy and the professionals certified are competent, ethical, and have demonstrated the required skills and knowledge. ANAB-accredited certifications are recognized by employers, regulators, and the public as credible and reliable. This level of third-party validation especially is valuable to compliance departments and large firms seeking credentialed talent.

Accredited programs are subject to regular, independent audits, ensuring continual improvement, consistency, and compliance with best practices. Rigorous accreditation processes also contribute to the legal defensibility of certification exams and procedures, protecting both the certifying organization and certification holders.

Investments & Wealth Institute’s ANAB-Accredited Certifications

The Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) certifications from the Investments & Wealth Institute are two of the rare financial services designations to achieve ANAB accreditation.

These accreditations provide assurance that the CIMA and CPWA certification programs equip financial professionals with the advanced skills and essential knowledge to excel in investment consulting and wealth management — underscoring the ability of professionals who have earned these designations to serve high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients with confidence and ethical rigor.

The CIMA credential was first accredited by ANAB in 2011, making it the first financial services certification in the United States to earn this distinction. The CIMA designation was re-accredited in 2016, and again in 2021. The CPWA credential followed suit in 2022. Together, these certifications represent gold-standard credentials, offering value and assurance to regulators, compliance teams, clients, and other certified professionals alike.

Achieving and maintaining ANAB accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024 means meeting nearly 120 rigorous standards that demonstrate excellence in areas such as:

• Impartiality: Certification decisions are made independently and without conflicts of interest.

• Independence: Certification is conducted separately from training functions, ensuring objectivity.

• Transparency: A formal, fair process exists to address concerns about certification or an individual designee.

• Accountability: Certified professionals are held to high ethical and competence standards, such as the Institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility.

• Stakeholder representation: Certification decisions are informed by industry experts and balanced perspectives.

• Continuous quality improvement: A systematic process ensures the certification program evolves with industry needs.

In addition, the Institute undergoes annual audits and surveillance reviews, with a full reaccreditation process required every five years — ensuring ongoing compliance and program integrity far beyond minimum benchmarks.

Professionals who pursue the CIMA and CPWA credential are choosing certifications that don’t just meet standards — they define them. Accredited under ISO/IEC 17024, these credentials signal elite competence, institutional trust, and ethical excellence recognized across the global financial landscape.