What is available for financial planners studying ESOs?

January 21, 2005

Date:   Sat, 13 Nov 2004
From:   Antwone

I am a financial planner and I would like to earn a designation as an expert in Employee Stock Options. What is available?

Answer

Date:   Wed, 24 Nov 2004

Hello Antwone,

Nothing that I’m aware of. We tried creating an Employee Stock Option Advisors Association, but there wasn’t enough interest to justify it.

Good luck!

Mike Gray

Response

Date:   Mon, 3 Jan 2005
From: Erin Madison

Michael,

I wanted to provide you with a follow up to whether one can earn a designation as an expert in Employee Stock Options. The Certified Equity Professional Institute at Santa Clara University offers such a program.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Erin Madison, CEP
Senior Stock Plan Administrator

Answer

Date:   Fri, 7 Jan 2004

Hello Erin,

Thanks for the feedback. It appears to me the program may be more oriented to plan administration than tax and financial planning. Individuals interested in getting certification should investigate for themselves. Another reader also pointed out that Kaye Thomas offers a certification program for advisors. Try http://www.fairmark.com for information.

Good luck!

Mike Gray

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