What is the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA)®?

The Society of CSAs is the World’s Largest membership organization training persons about aging. Students who successfully complete the training are granted the designation “Certified Senior Advisor” (CSA)®. On July 1, 2003 the Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors Inc. obtained the exclusive license to bring the CSA designation course to Canada.

How does the Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors provide education?

We offer two training options: pre-study and then an intensive 3-day classroom training with a proctored exam on the 4th day or a correspondence course with a proctored exam to be completed within 6 months of registration. Each format provides you with a hard-cover text book "Working With Seniors: Health, Financial and Social Issues" with 600 pages of the most up-to-date information on 50 plus and senior issues, an extensive Canadian Study Book dealing with uniquely Canadian 'Boomers' and Senior’s concerns plus a Participant Workbook to assist you in your studies.

How does CSA contribute towards compliance?

Some compliance officers have taken the position that in order for their Investment Advisors to advertise as having expertise with the special senior’s market they must first successfully attain this internationally recognized CSA designation.

After completing the training, what would a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) be qualified to do?

A Certified Senior Advisor has been trained to effectively communicate (building relationships) with seniors, understand their needs, and assist them in attaining their goals. A CSA is also trained to refer his/her senior clients to the resources best suited for the senior.

Who developed the CSA curriculum?

Internationally renowned Gerontologists, Geriatric M.D.’s, Elder Law Attorneys, Clergy, Senior Health Care Professionals, and Certified Financial Planners collaborated to develop the CSA curriculum.

Who should take the CSA courses?

Our CSA training attracts professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Financial agents, CLUs, CFPs, CAs, attorneys, clergy, social workers, home health care professionals, senior citizen organization management teams, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, business executives, insurance agents, and a host of other professionals take the CSA training and earn the designation.

How old is the CSA designation?

The Society of CSAs conveyed the first CSA designations in 1997. Since then, over 19,000 persons have taken our training.

How will our endorsement of the CSA designation help your organization?

If your company offers products or services that are intended for sale in the senior marketplace, such as annuities, long term care insurance, estate planning products, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate and travel services, long-term care and home care services, counselling etc., it is imperative that your agents, staff, and advisors be fully informed about all aspects of this special group so they are able to build trusting relationships, creating the confidence for increased recognition, support, and sales.

It is very likely that while your agents have an excellent understanding of your entire product line and services, they may not fully appreciate the special needs of their senior customers. It is this gap that can cause so many compliance and service challenges. Simply put, the CSA education greatly reduces the possibility of receiving a complaint from a senior customer in which the senior perceives that the agent did not understand his or her needs. Or worse yet, the senior may not complain but never allows that agent/advisor access in the future.

Is a CSA the same as an investment advisor?

No.

Is a CSA regulated in any way under an Investment Act?

No.

Once a person becomes a CSA is his/her education complete?

No. Each month we send our member CSAs one of four publications to continue their education on the issues most important to seniors. The CSA Journal, a Quality peer-review table top publication, published quarterly, is a 50-page journal written to keep CSAs up-to-date on the hot topics of the senior market. CSA Significant Summaries is a quarterly service, which concisely abridges current print and internet articles from a variety of national sources. CSA Senior Spirit, is specifically written for the senior audience. And a new publication, CSA Success, is a member only publication and a progressive business tool to build the member’s client base with cutting edge ideas. None of the publications carry any third party advertising.

Does the CSA program qualify for Insurance Continuing Education? What about CFP, CLU, or other Continuing Education?

Continuing Education Credits

• Qualifies for 30 Advocis credits
• Qualifies for the maximum 22.5 Alberta Insurance Council Credits
• Qualifies for 30 IDA credits
• Qualifies for 30 Level 2 PDU credits for Quebec
• CFP - 30 CE credits

Does the CSA designation increase sales?

Yes! In a January 2002 marketing survey of the CSA membership, 97% experienced improvement in their business within one year of attaining their CSA designation. In percentage terms, the amount of increased business varied from 10% to 50%. CASA is further embarking on a “public awareness” program to educate seniors regarding the importance of ensuring that the professionals who serve them have made the commitment to obtain their CSA designation.

How does the Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors monitor the ethical behavior of its members?

During CSA training, members must review a 12 page Code of Professional Responsibility, and commit in writing to agree to uphold the Code of Professional Responsibility (available upon request). Additionally, as a prerequisite for annual membership renewal, members must sign an affidavit/release verifying that they have had no legal, regulatory or compliance issues during the past year. An independent Board of Standards monitors and investigates any complaints and takes swift action when warranted in order to maintain the integrity of the designation.

We trust this information has been helpful. We at the Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors Inc. are working progressively everyday to provide knowledge and tools to those professionals who work with Canada’s fastest growing and most valued segment of our population.