About IBF
Shaped by the people who do the work.
Every IBF program is reviewed by practicing financial advisors who use this knowledge with clients. Our advisory council, subject matter experts, and curriculum committee keep what we teach current, practical, and worth your time.
Our History
Educating advisors since 1988
Founded in 1988 by a practicing financial advisor who believed that credentials should teach what advisors actually use with clients, IBF has spent nearly four decades building designations that stay current and genuinely useful.
Today, IBF is led by Cory Bowman, who has spent more than two decades in financial services education. Under his leadership, every program has been rebuilt from the ground up, and a practitioner review structure ensures that working advisors and subject matter experts review every chapter. That foundation has never changed. We teach what works Monday morning because the people who review our programs do that work with clients every day.
Advisory Council
Practicing advisors who guide our direction
Our advisory council members are financial professionals with deep expertise across planning domains. They shape curriculum priorities, review content for accuracy and relevance, and ensure that IBF stays responsive to the practice.
Advisory council members will be announced soon.
Subject Matter Experts
The professionals who review our curriculum
Each IBF program goes through a rigorous fact-check review process led by subject matter experts. These practitioners ensure accuracy and that content reflects current law, regulations, and best practices.
Curriculum Committee
Practitioner oversight for program standards
A dedicated committee of advisors and educators oversees the integrity and quality of all IBF programs. They meet regularly to ensure consistency, set standards, and guide the evolution of our offerings.
Oversight
Cycle
Updated
Interested in contributing?
We’re actively recruiting advisors to join our Advisory Council, serve as subject matter experts, and sit on our Curriculum Committee. If you’re interested in shaping practitioner education, we’d like to hear from you.
Get InvolvedBoard of Directors
Governance & Leadership
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Dedicated to practitioner education
IBF is a registered nonprofit organization with a mission to provide quality, practitioner-focused financial education. Our nonprofit structure means revenue is reinvested into curriculum development, research, and supporting ongoing professional education in the financial services industry.