The Worldwide Board of Standards for Financial & Economics Designations
The American Academy of Financial Management® has set the global standard for professional economics and finance designations since 1996 - operating across 151+ countries through 800+ accredited schools, universities and training providers.
Founding & History
The AAFM Board of Standards™ was founded in 1996 via a merger between the American Academy of Financial Management & Analysts (AAFM) and the Founders Advisory Committee of the Original Tax and Estate Planning Law Review™. AAFM was established for investment managers, lawyers and analysts; the Law Review examined strategic wealth and estate planning for Law, CPA, PhD and MBA graduates.
Since that founding merger, AAFM® has grown into one of the world's foremost certification and accreditation bodies, with a presence spanning every major financial centre on the globe.
A Worldwide Board of Standards
The American Academy of Financial Management™ is a worldwide Board of Standards with members in 151+ countries. AAFM® offers exclusive certified designations, charters and masters certifications to candidates who meet high standards of education, examination, experience, ethics and continuing professional development.
- Approves and recognises over 800 accredited business schools, law schools and programmes worldwide
- Recognises over 120,000 PhDs, lawyers, CPAs, AACSB graduates and Masters holders as members across 151+ nations
- Requires an accredited college degree for membership - making it the body of choice for highly educated industry experts
Our Mission
AAFM®'s mission is to serve its global membership as a world leader in educating and reinforcing the knowledge of executives and future leaders of financial and economics institutions. All AAFM® activities are international in nature and scope, with adherence to high standards of professional conduct.
Global Offices
AAFM® maintains representative offices in the United States (World Trade Center, New Orleans), Hong Kong, Beijing, India, Dubai, Kuwait, Latin America, South America, Singapore, the Caribbean and Europe - and is a candidate for recognition from the United Nations.
As Seen In
AAFM® and its programmes have been featured across the world's most respected media outlets, including:
- The Wall Street Journal
- CNN
- The Financial Times
- The Hindu National
- El Norte (Latin America)
- The Arab Times
- The Beijing Times
Training Partner Clients
AAFM® certification training partners have delivered programmes to professionals at organisations including:
Trusted by the world's leading organisations
AAFM® certified training has been delivered to professionals at some of the most recognised names in global business, government and finance.
Recognised by the world's foremost standards bodies
AAFM® is a TUV-accredited body with ISO quality and training certifications - alongside membership of leading accreditation, standards and intergovernmental organisations worldwide.
- TUV Austria AccreditedAccredited by the 140-year-old EU/Austrian Technical Inspection Association - one of the world's most respected quality validators.
- ISO 9001 Quality CertifiedISO 9001 certification for quality as a Certification Body via the IBS International Board of Standards.
- ISO 29990 Training StandardISO 29990 certified for non-formal training - the international standard for learning services providers.
- CHEA CIQG MemberProfessional Standards Member of the CHEA Council of Higher Education International Quality Group.
- ICE - Institute of Credential ExcellenceCivil Society Member of the Institute of Credential Excellence.
- ANSI MemberMember of the American National Standards Institute.
- NOCA - National Organization for Competency AssuranceMember of NOCA, the leading authority on professional credentialing organisations.
- ACBSP Professional MemberProfessional Member of the Accreditation Commission for Business Schools and Programs.
- IPMC - International Project Management CommissionRecognised by the IPMC Management Commission for professional standards.
- United Nations DESARecognised by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
- Harvard Business Review Advisory CouncilMember of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.
Official certification & accreditation recognition
AAFM® / GAFM holds formal accreditation from TÜV Austria and international quality certifications - independently verified and publicly recognised.
Frequently asked questions
The American Academy of Financial Management® (AAFM® USA) is a worldwide Board of Standards and professional organisation headquartered in the United States. It sets global curriculum, examination and ethical standards for economics and finance designations, and is the sole authority that issues AAFM® certifications, designations and charters globally. Its members span 151+ countries, making it one of the most internationally recognised credentialing bodies in the world.
AAFM® USA was founded in 1996 via a merger between the American Academy of Financial Management & Analysts and the Founders Advisory Committee of the Original Tax and Estate Planning Law Review™. Since then it has grown into a global body with representative offices in the USA (World Trade Center, New Orleans), Hong Kong, Beijing, India, Dubai, Kuwait, Latin America, South America, Singapore, the Caribbean and Europe.
AAFM® USA holds TÜV Austria accreditation and is ISO 9001-certified (quality management) and ISO 29990-certified (non-formal learning services). It is a Professional Standards Member of the CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG), a Civil Society Member of the Institute of Credential Excellence (ICE), a member of ANSI (American National Standards Institute), NOCA (National Organization for Competency Assurance) and ACBSP, and is recognised by the United Nations DESA and the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.
GAFM (Global Academy of Finance and Management) is the global trading and certification name under which AAFM® operates internationally, particularly when pursuing ISO and TÜV accreditations. The organisation is formally recognised under both names - AAFM® and GAFM - and the official certification recognition certificate (visible above) references both organisations alongside TÜV Austria accreditation and ISO 9001/29990 quality standards. Both names refer to the same standards-setting body.
AAFM® USA certifies candidates who hold an accredited college degree and meet its high standards of education, examination, experience, ethics and continuing professional development. It currently recognises over 120,000 PhDs, lawyers, CPAs, AACSB graduates and Masters degree holders as associate and executive members across 151+ nations. Certified professionals include Wealth Managers, Private Bankers, Portfolio Managers, Investment Advisors, Asset Managers, Chartered Economists and Trust & Estate Practitioners.
Start your journey with a globally recognised designation
Join 300,000+ AAFM® designation holders across 151+ countries - and take your economics or finance career to the next level.