December 12, 2017 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Understanding The Acronyms Of Financial Professionals BROOKINGS, S.D. - If you've ever looked for a financial professional, you've probably encountered unfamiliar acronyms, also known as designations or credentials, following the candidates' names. "CPA, CFP®, CFA®, ChFC®: What do these letters mean and why are they important?" asks Lorna SaboeWounded Head, SDSU Extension Family Resource Management Field Specialist. "Anyone can call themselves a financial counselor, coach, advisor or planner, but a credential often demonstrates a higher level of education, specialty or commitment." She explained that in many cases, the credentialing process is like going to school for a specialized program. "That said, all credentials are not created equal," Saboe-Wounded Head said. A reputable certification program requires rigorous education and examination, field experience, an ongoing commitment to continuing education and abidance by a high code of ethics. "Some programs raise this standard by demonstrating compliance with an accrediting body," she said. For instance, in the field of financial counseling, coaching, and education, the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) is one of the most respected organizations offering certifications. Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®also connects financial professionals across the continuum to ensure that individuals and families, like yours, can navigate the "alphabet soup" and have access to the highest standard of financial advice,at any stage of life. There are many financial designations, but the following are some of the most common and cover a range of services to meet the needs of most Americans: • AFC®-An Accredited Financial Counselor® has expertise across the client's entire financial life-cycle, so they are able to counsel clients at any point in their lives. An AFC® can help individuals and families successfully navigate a financial crisis, overcome debt, modify ineffective money management behaviors, build an effective spending plan and provide a strong financial education foundation to meet both short-term needs and long-term goals. • CFA® - A Chartered Financial Analyst® provides advanced investment analysis and portfolio management. Their studies include the mastery of investment tools and analytical methods in a variety of applications for effective portfolio management and wealth planning. • CFP® - The Certified Financial PlannerTM certification indicates that someone has in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of personal financial planning, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management, and insurance and risk management. The CFP® requires field experience and successful completion of a comprehensive exam and is regulated by an oversight body, the CFP Board. • ChFC® - A Chartered Financial Consultant® covers the fundamentals of financial planning like a CFP®, but a ChFC is an advanced planning designation that also covers realworld, practical planning applications for special circumstances, including in-depth coverage of planning for business owners, singleparent and blended families, LGBT families and special-needs situations. • CPA - A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an accounting professional who has passed the Uniform CPA examination, administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and also has met additional state certification and experience requirements. CPAs can work in any area of finance, including tax preparation, consulting, and of course, general accounting. • FFC™ - A Financial Fitness Coach™ has a strong financial knowledge base, coupled with the coaching skills and techniques that allow their client to be an active participant in creating solutions and a personalized financial plan. This certification may stand alone or be acquired as an enhanced skillset to a financial counseling or planning certification. • RICP® - A Retirement Income Certified Professional®offers focused expertise in retirement income planning, including structuring effective retirement income plans, mitigating risk to the plan and creating a sustainable stream of income to last throughout your retirement years. If you come across an unfamiliar designation, you can search its meaning and requirements through the look-up tool offered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). "When working with financial representatives, don't be afraid to ask questions about their credentials, including who issued them, what training and continuing education was required and how to verify their standing through an accrediting organization," Saboe-Wounded Head said. "A trustworthy financial professional will be glad to share more about his or her credentials." Understand the "menu." By familiarizing yourself with the "alphabet soup" of designations, you can find the perfect advocate to help you achieve your financial goals. If you have questions, contact Saboe-Wounded Head by email. The Bookworm ‘See Me’ Is Creepy, Funny Thriller “The Last to See Me” by M Dressler; © 2017, Skyhorse Publishing; 264 pages ——— BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Not a creature was stirring … And that’s what you love about this time of year: late at night, it gets so quiet. You can almost imagine that you’re the only one awake in your town, that you’re the only person who keeps watch. You can pretend you’re all alone but, as in the new novel, “The Last to See Me” by M Dressler, are you, really? Emma Rose knew who he was the minute she saw him. He was a hunter, one who made it his work to send beings like her down to where worms and subterranean animals wiggled and scratched. She was well aware of his kind; she was wary but not concerned. As long as she didn’t allow herself to lose control or get angry, as long as she watched him, she could remain hidden. She felt that she’d been hidden for most of her life. Her mother died when she was born so she was raised by her Da, a workman just like most of the fellows in their northern California town. They were common folk, not at all like the Lambry men, whose NEW! 6,250 $ SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The 114th Fighter Wing was recently awarded the 2016 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service. This is the third consecutive year, and the ninth time overall the 114th Fighter Wing has received this honor. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is given by the Secretary of Defense to numbered units of the active-duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard, that clearly set themselves apart from other units. "The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is a direct reflection of the steadfast commitment by the members of the 114th Fighter Wing," said Col. Nathan Alholinna, 114th commander. The 114th Fighter Wing demonstrated the ability to accomplish federal and state missions while maintaining a focus on safety, service within the community and Airmen development. During the award period, the wing flew 3,948 hours and 2,499 sortie missions. They also deployed over 500 Airmen and over 100 short tons of equipment; supporting U.S. interests around the world. "I am extremely proud of the men and women of the South Dakota Air National Guard," said Alholinna. "They continue to perform at the highest level, and their dedication shows at work and within our communities." New At The Library Here’s what’s new at the Yankton Community Library this week: ADULT BOOKS • Crimes of the Father by Thomas Keneally; Fiction • Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark; Fiction • Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker by Gregory Maguire; Fiction • Hope on the Plains by Linda Byler; Fiction • In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende; Fiction • The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory; Fiction • This is How It Begins by Joan Dempsey; Fiction • Typhoon Fury by Clive Cussler; Fiction • The Accidental President: Harry Truman and the Four Months that Changed the World by A.J. Baime; Nonfiction • God is for Real by Todd Burpo; Nonfiction • Mikey and Me: Life with My Exceptional Sister by Teresa Sullivan; Nonfiction • Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Basu; Nonfiction • Walking with Peety: The Dog Who Saved My Life by Eric O’Grey; Nonfiction • What to Believe When You’re Expecting: A New Look at Old Wives’ Tales in Pregnancy by Jonathan Schaffir, MD; Nonfiction when Quint’s mother found a job for her, far from town and far from Quint. It didn’t matter, because Quint rode miles to see ADULT DVDS her every week anyway. That was a century ago — many • Baywatch lifetimes, in fact, including that belonging • Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature to Alice Lambrey, the final resident of the • October Sky Lambrey Mansion. But with Alice now ——— lying in her grave and the mansion up for Did you know that you can reserve an item from sale, there was a problem: the cleanshome? Staff will then notify you as soon as the item ing that’d supposedly ridded Benito of is available! ghosts, missed the one who’d once been called Emma Rose Finnis. But the hunter could never know that. A name was power. His knowing hers could be the end. What’s beneath your bed? Or behind you or above you? You’ll look, and then look again after you’ve read “The Last to SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Regents See Me.” has approved new academic program requests to meet That’s because this book is creepy emerging employment trends across the state. Regents — and it’s a little bit funny, in that this week authorized new delivery options for a University shrieky-scared-for-a-minute-but-laughself-consciously way that actually means of South Dakota degree, a new certificate program at USD, and a new specialization at South Dakota State University. you’re still scared. Brace yourself: that’s At USD, the bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will be going to last until the very last paragraph available for online delivery starting next spring. USD is of this cat-and-mouse book, since author the only public university in South Dakota authorized to M Dressler takes us on a screaming, deliver a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. It currently careening trip through a resort town’s offers it in a face-to-face instructional format at the Vermilhistory, the life of a brazen woman, and an lion campus and at University Center in Sioux Falls. old house in which characters are dead, USD officials point to 281 online-only students taking or alive, or neither. Surprises? criminal justice courses last year as evidence of demand Expect them everywhere for the fully online degree program. there’s potential for fear; USD also received approval to offer a new undergraduSave $30 on a knows how toACate certificate in healthcare analytics, focused on the Tune-Up! indeed, Dressler Summer make worms and flowers seem systematic use of data to improve quality of healthcare positively, dreadfully frightendelivery and to reduce costs. The 12 credit-hour certificate is aimed at health sciences majors who want to ing, a talent that readers will Just give us to adore. we’ll enhance their credentials with specialized knowledge in come a call and analytical methods. Asqualifiedget shorter the nights send out a Certificate programs usually require fewer credit hours and there’s less daylight, reach Servicefor something double-dark on a to complete than a minor. They are developed by packagTechnician like ing a small set of courses that allows students to develop page. For Tyler, to make you, “The Last to See expertise within a focused area of study, addressing idensure your Me” will stir you well. tified market and workforce AC unit is ready for those development needs. At SDSU, a specialization hot summer South Dakota Tyler Reiser in data science will be availdays and save $30!* able within the university’s Service Technician bachelor of science degree • Great Parts • Great Warranty 13 years experience in mathematics. This On-Hand & In-Stock! NO WAITING! draws upon a wide range of data-centered courses in 1007 Broadway Ave mathematics, statistics, and Yankton, SD 605•665•4494 statistical computation. Academic Offerings Approved At USD And SDSU wealth kept them above everyone else in Benito. The Lambrys snubbed people who spent their days doing honest work, washing and cleaning for lumberjacks who toiled on nearby hills. They snubbed people like her. So on the night that she danced with Quint Lambry at the community hall, Emma Rose knew tongues would wag in Benito, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care Hustler Fastrack 23 HP Kohler, 54” Rear Discharge Preowned 2015 Hustler Super Z HD Serviced & Ready To Go! 114th Fighter Wing Receives Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 72” Rear Discharge, 35 HP Kawasaki, Air Seat of Tyndall on Hwy. 50 Corner of Hwys. 50 and 5 miles West www.schuurmansfarmsupply.com 37 Ph. (605) 5 89-3909 or Cell (605) 464-1113 YOUR RADIATOR HEADQUARTERS! Cox Auto When You Want Comfort...You Want Kalins When You Want Comfort… You Want Kalins! Vermillion: 605-624-5618 *Rebate offer only available to Vermillion Light & Power customers. Call for full details. 69 years as a Premier Lennox® Dealer 96 years in the Business 400 years of Heating and Cooling Experience = Your #1 Choice in Yankton! Yankton Vermillion Sioux City 605.665.4348 605.624.5618 712.252.2000 kalinsindoor.com