International Association of Registered Financial Consultants

What International Association of Registered Financial Consultants does

The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1984 and headquartered in Middletown, Ohio. It issues a three-tier credential system — Registered Financial Associate (RFA), Registered Financial Consultant (RFC), and Master Registered Financial Consultant (MRFC) — designed to certify financial consultants at progressive competency levels, with MRFC requiring 4+ years of experience, a rigorous examination, and 40 hours of annual continuing education including 2 hours of ethics-specific training. The RFA and RFC designations are recognized by FINRA, providing regulatory legitimacy for credential holders working within broker-dealer environments. IARFC serves practicing financial consultants including insurance agents, investment advisors, broker-dealer representatives, and CPAs, while also operating a consumer-facing Find A Consultant directory that connects individuals and families with credentialed members.

The organization's product portfolio is anchored on the credentialing ecosystem, supported by two publications: the peer-reviewed Journal of Personal Finance (annual, ISSN 1540-6717, ~15-20% acceptance rate) and the Register practitioner magazine (quarterly since 1999). The technology stack consists of a professional association management platform with member portal, credential management, CE tracking, e-commerce capabilities (Shopify-based store at store.iarfc.org), and consumer directory search. IARFC runs an annual National Financial Plan Competition engaging 100+ universities and hosts virtual and in-person events including the Virtual Financial Forum and annual conferences at venues such as the Biltmore Estate and Gaylord Opryland.

The business model is member-funded across six revenue streams: annual membership dues ($20 basic to $500 with MRFC), credential application and examination fees ($100 + $400 for MRFC), annual recertification ($400-$500), publication sales (Journal $25-$120, Register $45), event registrations and sponsorships, and e-commerce merchandise. Distribution occurs through the IARFC website, e-commerce store, toll-free phone support, email, and the ProQuest academic distribution channel. IARFC maintains 7 international chapters across Canada, Greater China, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka/UAE, US, and Vietnam, and operates with a lean 1-10 employee headquarters staff.

Name

International Association of Registered Financial Consultants

Legal name

International Association of Registered Financial Consultants

Website

https://iarfc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IARFC is a non-profit professional association founded in 1984 that issues tiered financial consultant credentials (RFA, RFC, MRFC) and provides continuing education, publications, and a consumer directory, serving practicing financial consultants, academic institutions, and consumers across 7 international chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Fee-Only Advisory (FSAEAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Financial Crime Compliance (AML/KYC/Sanctions) (EDABADAD)

Keywords

• Financial professional credentials
• Continuing education programs
• Membership association
• Financial planning designations
• Professional certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Middletown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for association members with tiered pricing for MRFC+Membership ($600/year) or membership-only ($20/year based on store pricing). Includes access to publications, directory listing, and member benefits.
2. Professional Credentials: MRFC certification generates revenue through application fees ($100), examination fees ($400), and annual recertification fees ($400-$500). RFA and RFC designations also require ongoing credential maintenance.
3. Publications Sales: Revenue from Journal of Personal Finance (Members $45, Non-Members $65, Institutional $120 for hard copies), Register magazine subscriptions ($45 for 4 issues), and white papers. IARFC members receive complimentary digital access to the Journal.
4. E-commerce Store: IARFC Store sells professional items including member logos, lapel pins, tie bars, ethics certificates, plaques, presentation materials, and study guides at various price points.
5. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors (Money Concepts, Envestnet MoneyGuidePro, Northstar, Agent-CRM) sponsor the National Financial Plan Competition and virtual summits, providing revenue and supporting CE programming.
6. Continuing Education: MRFC credential holders must complete 40 hours of CE annually, with 2 hours specifically ethics-related. CE programming at events and through approved providers supports ongoing credential requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1984 that issues tiered financial consultant credentials (RFA, RFC, MRFC), provides continuing education and ethics programs, publishes the Journal of Personal Finance and the Register magazine, and runs the annual National Financial Plan Competition for university students and the Virtual Financial Forum for members.

Product overview

IARFC offers a comprehensive professional credentialing ecosystem centered on three tiered designations (RFA, RFC, MRFC) that represent progressive competency levels for financial consultants. The credential portfolio is supported by rigorous continuing education requirements, ethics attestation programs, and an online application system. IARFC publishes two distinct content products: the Journal of Personal Finance (academic peer-reviewed annual) and the Register magazine (practitioner-oriented quarterly publication since 1999), both available in digital and print formats through the IARFC Store. The organization runs the annual National Financial Plan Competition for undergraduate students and hosts the Virtual Financial Forum for CE credits and professional development. The IARFC Store, built on Shopify, provides designation merchandise, white papers including the Fiduciary Duty paper, study guides, and member kits. A member portal enables access to archives and renewal services, while a public directory helps consumers find qualified consultants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MRFC (Master Registered Financial Consultant) Credential The premier professional credential for senior financial consultants requiring 4+ years of experience, 40 hours annual CE, ethics attestation, and passage of a rigorous certification exam.
• RFC (Registered Financial Consultant) Designation Professional designation for qualified financial consultants meeting competency standards set by IARFC; recognized by FINRA on its professional designations page.
• RFA (Registered Financial Associate) Designation Entry-level professional designation for financial consultants establishing foundational competency; recognized by FINRA.
• Journal of Personal Finance Peer-reviewed academic journal (ISSN 1540-6717) published annually covering financial planning research, techniques, and strategies for practitioners and educators; available in digital and print, distributed via ProQuest to academic institutions.
• the Register Magazine Practitioner-oriented financial magazine published quarterly since 1999, featuring member profiles, practice management articles, and industry news (ISSN 2639-7374 / 1556-4045).
• National Financial Plan Competition Annual undergraduate student competition where teams from 100+ universities develop and present financial plans to practicing IARFC member consultants for recognition and awards.
• Virtual Financial Forum Annual virtual conference providing continuing education, practice management insights, and networking for financial consultants; offers CE credits.
• IARFC Store Shopify-based e-commerce platform offering designation merchandise, ethics certificates, study guides, white papers, journals, and member kits.
• Find A Consultant Directory Searchable public directory allowing consumers to locate qualified IARFC member financial consultants by location or specialty.
• MRFC Exam Study Guide Approximately 300-page study guide available in digital or hard copy, based on the MRFC Blueprint Exam Content, sold as a standalone exam preparation resource.
• Fiduciary Duty White Paper White paper by David Kinder examining fiduciary standards in the insurance and financial services industry, available as free digital download.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-20% acceptance rate for Journal of Personal Finance demonstrates rigorous quality standards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Money Concepts InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor for the IARFC National Financial Plan Competition. Money Concepts provides executive involvement, with Barry Dayley MRFC serving as Executive Vice President and expressing commitment to qualified young professionals entering the financial services profession.
• Envestnet MoneyGuideProcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor for the National Financial Plan Competition providing financial planning software access for student competitors. Supports the real-world case study experience component of the competition.
• Insurance Pro ShopminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor for 2025 Virtual Summit, providing resources for insurance and financial professionals. Jeremy Nason RFC serves as co-founder and presenter.
• Pan-American LifeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor for 2025 Virtual Summit supporting the annual practice building event.
• Tolani Family OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor for 2025 Virtual Summit with Dr. Sanjay Tolani serving as presenter on insurance concepts.
• NorthstarminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Corporate sponsor for the 2023 National Financial Plan Competition, supporting the annual event for undergraduate financial planning students.
• Agent-CRMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsor for the 2023 Virtual Summit with a 14-day free trial offer for IARFC members, supporting practice management education.
• ProQuest LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Journal of Personal Finance available electronically through ProQuest products and services for academic institutions and researchers. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• FINRAcoreOthers · 1 January 2017Financial Industry Regulatory Authority recognizes RFA and RFC designations on their professional designations page, validating these credentials for broker-dealer acceptance.
• International Chapters NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984IARFC chapters in Canada, Greater China, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and UAE, United States, and Vietnam create a global chapter network supporting local financial planning professionals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CFP Board (Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards): The dominant U.S. financial planning credentialing body, granting the CFP® designation. Directly comparable to IARFC because it serves the same financial planning professional base with a tiered certification, continuing education requirements, and ethics standards.
• Financial Planning Association (FPA): A major membership association for financial planners offering education, practice management resources, and community. Comparable to IARFC as a peer professional association serving financial planners with credentials, CE, and member benefits.
• National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA): A fee-only financial advisor association focused on fiduciary advisors. Comparable to IARFC because it serves a similar professional base, promotes ethical standards, and offers member resources for practicing financial planners.
• Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI): A credentialing body for investment advisors offering the CIMA® and CPWA® designations with continuing education. Comparable to IARFC as a competing financial services credentialing organization serving advisors through designations and CE.
• American College of Financial Services: An educational institution granting financial services designations like the ChFC® and CLU®. Comparable to IARFC as a credentialing and continuing education provider for financial professionals with multi-tier designations.
• Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP): A professional association for financial services practitioners across multiple disciplines. Comparable to IARFC because it serves a similar multi-disciplinary financial professional membership with credentials, CE, and chapter networks.
• National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA): A major U.S. association representing insurance and financial advisors. Comparable to IARFC because it targets a similar advisory professional base, including insurance agents and financial planners, with member benefits and professional development.

Broad incumbents

• American Institute of CPAs (AICPA): A large professional association for CPAs offering credentials (CPA, PFS, CFF), CE, and publications. Comparable to IARFC as a broader professional credentialing body that serves some overlapping financial planning professionals (CPAs with PFS credential).

Emerging players

• American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM): A smaller, global financial management certification body offering designations like the MFP® and ChFE®. Comparable to IARFC as a niche alternative credentialing organization serving financial professionals with multi-tier designations.
• Garrett Planning Network: A fee-only financial advisor network focused on hourly, as-needed financial planning. Comparable to IARFC as it serves a similar professional advisor base with credentials and member support, though more focused on practice model alignment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IARFCAssoc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsoztUiU3_OfEkFWHiOmCKA
• Facebookfacebook.com/iarfc-international-association-of-registered-financial-consultants-407304249286106
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-association-of-registered-financial-consultants

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Association of Registered Financial Consultants