What AFIP does

AFIP (Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals), legally 'The Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals,' is a Texas-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit trade association founded in 1989 in Colleyville, Texas. It operates as a compliance training and certification body for the U.S. automotive F&I (Finance and Insurance) profession, serving franchise and independent dealerships across automotive, RV, motorcycle, powersports, and marine verticals. AFIP delivers a multi-tiered certification ladder (Basic/CPFS, Senior/SPFS, Master/MPFS, Lifetime Master/LMPFS) with biennial recertification requirements, and styles itself as the original and only dedicated legal-and-ethical continuing education program for in-dealership financial services personnel in the U.S.

The core technology is the AFIP LMS (Learning Management System), launched in 2021, which provides interactive multimedia modules, practice quizzes, downloadable audio, and integrated access to the CARLAW F&I Legal Desk Book authored by Hudson Cook. Online proctored testing is delivered through a partnership with Proctor360's nationwide testing centers. Adjacent ADCO-branded products extend the platform into broader dealership compliance: FRAT Training, Red Flags & Safeguards programs, Dealer Resolve (complaint management), Dealership Auditing, Cyber Security Solutions, DCOP certification, and Automoto HR, with DealerAide positioned as a sub-brand. A wholly owned subsidiary, AIGA (Association of Independent General Agents), was created in 2006 to give general agents a unified advocacy and service channel.

The business model is a hybrid of per-certification course fees ($665-$965 per person, recertified every two years), annual Industry Member dues ($3,500/year) and General Agent memberships ($1,750/year), boot camp event fees (including $150 Ally-sponsored onsite add-ons), and subscription offerings such as Compliance Prep. Go-to-market is sales-led with a heavy channel-partner overlay: 30+ Industry Members (Ally, Ford Motor Credit, iA American Warranty, Assurant, APCO Holdings, Zurich North America, LUCID, Newtech Dealer Services, Keating Auto Group, and others) actively market AFIP certification into their dealer networks. Distribution combines self-serve online enrollment, monthly virtual boot camps, partner-sponsored onsite boot camps, dealer association programs, and an education channel via Northwood University.

Name

AFIP

Legal name

The Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals

Website

https://afip.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AFIP (Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that issues multi-tiered F&I compliance certifications and delivers regulated training to automotive, RV, motorcycle, powersports, and marine dealerships across the U.S. via its proprietary LMS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive F&I Compliance Training & Certification

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ)

Keywords

• F&I compliance training
• Automotive certification programs
• Dealership compliance education
• Finance and insurance professionals
• Regulatory certification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Colleyville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Certification Course Fees: AFIP generates revenue through tiered certification course fees: Basic ($965), Senior ($865), Master ($765), and Lifetime Master ($665) per person. Certification is valid for two years with recertification requirements.
2. Industry Membership Dues: Industry Members pay $3,500 per year for membership benefits including legal opinions, marketing materials, and roster listing. General Agents pay $1,750 per year.
3. Boot Camp and Training Events: Revenue from virtual and onsite boot camp certification sessions, with separate fees for boot camps sponsored by partners like Ally and Newtech Dealer Services.
4. Dealership Partner Certification: Dealers pay per employee for certification courses. No additional annual fees for dealer partner status beyond certification costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AFIP delivers multi-tiered F&I (Finance & Insurance) compliance certification and continuing education for automotive dealership professionals through its proprietary AFIP LMS. Its core offering is a four-level certification ladder (CPFS, SPFS, MPFS, LMPFS) covering state and federal regulations governing vehicle sales financing, with industry-specific variants for franchise, independent, RV, motorcycle, power sports, and marine dealerships. The training is delivered via online multimedia courses, virtual and onsite boot camps, and online proctored testing, supported by industry membership programs for lenders, vendors, and general agents.

Product overview

AFIP (Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals) operates as a comprehensive compliance training and certification ecosystem built around its core AFIP LMS (Learning Management System) platform. The primary offering is the multi-tiered AFIP Certification Program spanning Basic (CPFS), Senior (SPFS), Master (MPFS), and Lifetime Master (LMPFS) levels, with industry-specific variants for franchise, independent, RV, motorcycle, power sports, and marine dealerships. The platform integrates the Carlaw F&I Legal Desk Book, live virtual boot camps via Zoom, and Proctor360 exam proctoring. Supporting products include FRAT Training, Red Flags & Safeguards Programs, Dealer Resolve complaint management, Dealership Auditing, Cyber Security Solutions, DCOP certification, Automoto HR, VPP Program, and DealerAide — forming a complete compliance management suite for automotive dealerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Association of Independent General Agents (AIGA): A subsidiary organization created by AFIP in 2006 to give General Agents a unified voice and the benefits of a unified lobby and service provider.

Products and services

• AFIP LMS (Learning Management System) State-of-the-art online learning platform providing interactive multimedia e-training for F&I certification with shorter lesson modules, practice quizzes, downloadable audio files, progress tracking, and integrated access to the electronic Carlaw F&I Legal Desk Book. Designed for F&I professionals at franchise, independent, RV, motorcycle, power sports, and marine dealerships.
• AFIP Certification Program (CPFS, SPFS, MPFS, LMPFS) Multi-tiered F&I compliance certification ladder for automotive dealership professionals with four professional designations (CPFS, SPFS, MPFS, LMPFS). Each tier requires passing increasingly difficult exams and recertification every two years. Basic $965, Senior $865, Master $765, Lifetime Master $665 per person.
• AFIP Boot Camps (Virtual and Onsite) Two-day certification boot camps at locations around the U.S. and monthly virtual boot camps conducted via Zoom to facilitate the certification process. 4-day virtual sessions (3 days class, 1 day test prep). Partner-sponsored events (e.g., Ally, Newtech Dealer Services) with separate fees.
• AFIP Industry Membership Program Annual membership program for lenders, vendors, and general agents serving the F&I industry. Industry Members pay $3,500/year for legal opinions, marketing materials, roster listing, and access to AFIP certification promotion to their dealer networks. General Agents pay $1,750/year.
• Industry-Specific F&I Certification Tailored F&I compliance certification for franchise dealerships, independent dealerships, RV, motorcycle, power sports, and marine industries. Each vertical includes industry-specific compliance curriculum for that dealership type.
• Red Flags & Safeguards Programs ADCO (AFIP's compliance arm) offers Red Flags and Safeguards programs along with Policies & Procedures specifically designed by department and job role for comprehensive dealership compliance.
• FRAT Training Basic fundamental federal law training for all dealership employees covering essential F&I regulations and compliance requirements. Provided through the ADCO Community learning platform.
• Dealer Resolve Dealer Complaint Management System providing feedback, cancellation tracking, and complaint management for dealerships, enabling documentation and resolution of customer issues.
• Dealership Auditing ADCO provides in-person and virtual deal auditing services for dealers to ensure F&I compliance and identify risk areas across their transaction files.
• AFIP VPP Program NADA VPP Program partnership where AFIP implements Vehicle Protection Product certification for dealers, providing industry-standard VPP credentials.
• Compliance Prep Program Monthly subscription offering launched in partnership with Product Prep to provide F&I compliance preparation materials and ongoing training content.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% pass rate for certification attempts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ford Motor Credit CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989Founding member of AFIP in 1989 along with GMAC, Bank of America, and Dealer Based Services. Ongoing partnership providing AFIP certification to Ford dealers. Dedicated Ford dealer employee virtual boot camps.
• ALLY FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOver 15-year partnership. Ally offers AFIP certification to its dealer network. Hosts onsite boot camps at Ally locations (Houston, Nashville, Costa Mesa). Ally is a leading provider of dealer financial services.
• iA American Warranty GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAFIP partner offering F&I administration and training plus full-service insurance company (Dealers Assurance Company). Products offered by 7,000+ rooftops and 300+ F&I agents.
• AssurantcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAFIP industry partner with dedicated discount code (Assurant2022) for member pricing. Assurant provides vehicle protection products and dealer services.
• APCO Holdings (Easy Care, GWC, NAC)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading marketer and administrator of automotive aftermarket products with 35+ years experience. Offers full suite of driver F&I benefits and dealer services.
• Zurich North AmericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOver 100-year partnership with dealerships providing vehicle protection products, training, and innovative programs. Part of 2024 Industry Members.
• Newtech Dealer ServicesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovative FinTech company providing services to Automotive, RV, Marine, and Powersports industries. Hosts open boot camps (Michigan). Products through Technology, Consulting, Financial Services, and Key Control divisions.
• Northwood UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFIP Basic Course is part of the dealership compliance curriculum at Northwood University. Partnership for student certification program with discounted pricing ($445 student full, $125 student certificate).
• Keating Auto GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAFIP partner with dedicated employee certification program. Texas-based auto group.
• LUCIDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican electric vehicle company (Nasdaq: LCID) with headquarters in California and manufacturing in Arizona. Employees have access to AFIP certification.
• Hudson Cook (CARLAW)coreTechnology or IntegrationDealership lawyers providing CARLAW F&I Legal Desk Book integrated into AFIP LMS. Essential legal reference for F&I compliance training.
• Proctor360coreTechnology or IntegrationTesting partner providing online proctoring from home or office through hundreds of testing centers across the nation for AFIP certification exams.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Automotive Management Institute (AMI): Nonprofit organization providing automotive dealership professional certification and continuing education; offers multi-tiered designations and is structurally similar to AFIP in mission, governance, and member-based revenue model.
• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE): Independent nonprofit certifying automotive service professionals through industry-recognized credentials; comparable to AFIP in certification/continuing education focus but targets technicians rather than F&I personnel.
• Automotive Training Institute (ATI): Provides dealership training, coaching, and consulting services targeting F&I, sales, and management; overlapping customer base (automotive dealers) and complementary curriculum on F&I and operational best practices.
• StoneEagle: F&I management and compliance software for automotive dealerships; comparable target customer base and adjacent compliance offerings to AFIP's Dealer Resolve and Auditing solutions.

Others

• Ally Financial: Major U.S. automotive finance provider and AFIP Industry Member with 15+ year partnership; a key AFIP distribution channel rather than a peer, but a materially relevant ecosystem participant.
• APCO Holdings (Easy Care, GWC, NAC): AFIP Industry Member offering automotive aftermarket F&I products and administration; primarily a product provider and partner rather than direct certification competitor.
• iA American Warranty Group: AFIP Industry Member providing F&I warranty, administration, and training; primarily a product provider and partner rather than a competing certification body, with reach through 7,000+ rooftops and 300+ F&I agents.

Broad incumbents

• Dealertrack (Cox Automotive): Cox Automotive business providing F&I, compliance, and dealer finance solutions; comparable dealer-facing audience and overlapping compliance, menu, and product offerings across a much wider product portfolio.
• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): Major U.S. auto dealer trade association providing education (NADA Academy, ATD), advocacy, publications, and the VPP certification that AFIP implements; organizational overlap on industry education while serving a broader dealer audience.
• Reynolds and Reynolds: Major DMS and F&I software provider serving automotive dealers; sells compliance, document management, and retail solutions across a much broader portfolio that overlaps with AFIP's complaint management and auditing services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ADCOPoweredByAFIP
• Facebookfacebook.com/LikeAFIP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-finance-&-insurance-professionals
• Instagraminstagram.com/afip_us
• Xx.com/AFIP_Updates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 AFIP