CFS
Pooled Investment Vehicles
Certified Fund Specialist®
CFS®
IBF’s founding designation. Pooled investment vehicles, built by practitioners who sit across from clients every day.
16,000+ Designees
Self-Paced Timeline
Up to 60 CE Credits
1988 Established
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CIS Reference Atlas - 2026 Edition

The credential for advisors who recommend funds
$85.00
One-time enrollment. Everything included.
What's Included
  • Practitioner-written textbooks shipped to your door
  • Audio Roundtables, visual Blueprints, and chapter Snapshots
  • Practice questions to test yourself before the exam
  • Two online proctored certification exams and a case study
  • Reference Atlas with annually updated market data
  • Up to 60 CE credits upon completion
Self-paced. Most complete in 4–6 months.
Your Study Materials
TextbooksPhysical books, shipped
RoundtablesAudio, ~16 min/chapter
BlueprintsVisual slide decks
SnapshotsOne-page summaries
Digital materials available instantly on enrollment.
Prefer to talk? Call (800) 848-2029
or request info and we'll reach out
Secure checkout 501(c)(3) nonprofit Since 1988
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Your Study System

Everything you need, nothing you don’t

Four formats designed to work together. Read, listen, visualize, and review. Each chapter covered from multiple angles so the material sticks.

Core Product
Textbooks
Physical books shipped to you. Written by practitioners for practitioners.
Audio
Chapter Roundtables
Two hosts unpack each chapter in conversation. ~16 minutes per chapter.
Visual
Chapter Blueprints
Slide decks with visual frameworks and key relationships. ~15 slides each.
Summary
Chapter Snapshots
One-page infographic summary of each chapter. Quick reference and review.
Est. 1988 · 16,000+ Designees · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · 8 Specialist Designations
Prefer to talk? Our team can walk you through it.
(800) 848-2029
Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM PST