Bragg Financial Advisors

DEGREES & DESIGNATIONS:

MBA:

Benton S. Bragg, CFA, CFP, ChFC
Steve Scruggs, CFA

Wake Forest University's Babcock Graduate School of Management is ranked among America's top MBA schools by US News & World Report, Business Week, and The Princeton Review.

Designed to produce an integrated education experience, the program is more than simply a collection of courses. Admissions standards, sequencing of courses, timing of classes, enrichment activities and other aspects of the program mesh to create a unique perspective on management.

The program is rigorous and requires the commitment and support of a participant's employer and family. Participants maintain their careers while attending class two evenings per week for six semesters. Weekly preparation and class attendance are essential. Given the practical character of the program, participants often have the opportunity to immediately apply concepts and techniques they have learned to benefit their organizations. In turn, the practical application of coursework deepens and enriches participants' understanding, allowing them to truly integrate new knowledge.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Benton S. Bragg, CFA, CFP, ChFC
John F. Bragg, III, CFP, ChFC
Phillips M. Bragg, CFP

In order to be licensed to use the CFP mark, an individual must meet the following qualifications, as specified by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board):

Examination -- an individual must successfully complete the CFP Board's comprehensive certification examination, which tests the individual's knowledge on a multitude of key financial plannning topics.

Experience -- Depending on the level of degree work completed in a collegiate setting, an individual must acquire three to five years of financial planning-related experience prior to receiving the right to use the CFP mark.

Ethics -- an individual must voluntarily ascribe to the CFP Board's code of ethics and additional requirements as mandated. This voluntary decision empowers the CFP Board to take action if a CFP licensee should violate the code of ethics. Such violations could lead to disciplinary action, including the permanent revocation of the right to use the CFP mark.

Education -- a CFP licensee must obtain 30 hours of continuing education every two years in the body of knowledge pertaining to financial planning areas such as estate planning, retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, employee benefits and insurance.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Benton S. Bragg, CFA, CFP, ChFC
Steve Scruggs, CFA

This program is a globally recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of financial analysts. Its curriculum develops and reinforces a fundamental knowledge of investment principles. Three levels of examination measure a candidate's ability to apply these principles at a professional level. The CFA exam is administered annually in more than 70 nations worldwide.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Dawn M. Cannon, CPA

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA. The uniform CPA Examination is the examination that individuals must pass in order to qualify for licensure as Certified Public Accountants in any of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands).

The Uniform CPA Examination is one of the "Three Es" - Education, Examination, and Experience. The Uniform CPA Examination consists of four sections:

Auditing and Attestation (AUD). This section covers knowledge of auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing standards adn other standards related to attest engagements, and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.

Business Environment and Concepts (BEC). This section covers knowledge of general business environment and business concepts that candidates need to know in order to understand the underlying business reasons for and accounting implications of business transactions, adn the skills needed to apply that knowledge.

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR). This section covers knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, and governmental entities, and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.

Regulation (REG). This section covers knowledge of federal taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities, and business law, and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.

Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)

Suzanne Wittebort, CFS

The Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) designation is awarded to individuals who complete a 60-hour program including an exam administered by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). Students must also complete an open-book case study.

Holders of the CFS designation are able to evaluate and compare financial measurements and benchmarks when constructing a portfolio using open-end mutual funds, closed-end mutual funds, ETFs, REITs, and UITs. Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) is a key part of the program; its components are broken down and detailed in terms the practitioner can use in portfolio construction. Using MPT adn other selection criteria, a suitable and efficient portfolio can be derived. Measurements such as alpha, beta, correlation coefficient, first-auto correlation, R-squared, and standard deviation are incorporated in the selection process. CFS course materials are written and updated by academics and practitioners. The CFS program is fully accredited.

The Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) designation is now celebrating its 17th year. Over ten thousand members of the financial services community have gone through the program. The designation is the oldest designation in the mutual funds industry.

Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

Benton S. Bragg, CFA, CFP, ChFC
John F. Bragg, III, CFP, ChFC

The ChFC program focuses on the comprehensive financial planning process as an organized way to collect and analyze information on a client's total financial situation; to identify and establish specific financial goals; and to formulate, implement, and monitor a comprehensive plan to achieve those goals.

The ChFC program provides financial planners and others in the financial services industry with in-depth knowledge of the skills needed to perform comprehensive financial planning for their clients. Since its inception in 1982, more than 32,000 men and women have met the educational, experience, and ethics mandates needed to earn the ChFC designation.

Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)

Benton S. Bragg, CFA, CFP, ChFC,

The CLU designation is the undisputed professional credential for persons involved in the protection accumulation, preservation, and distribution of the economic values of human life. Since the first examinations were held in 1928, more than 85,000 men and women have met the education, experience, and ethics mandates needed to earn the CLU designation.

The CLU program provides insights into the life insurance business, its importance to the economy, its operation and distribution systems, and its resurging importance for safe and secure investments. For agents, field managers, home office personnel, and others involved in providing life insurance products to the public, the CLU designation is the common bond for continuing growth and commitment to professionalism.