Being the first ISO 21001 Certified Credentialing Body and the first in the USA to be ISO 29990-Certified is not an easy task, but we achieved accreditation and also were awarded ISO 9001 Certification in Europe and internationally.

Professional credentialing and development are in a continued revolution around the world. Because we have paid attention to executives globally for more than 20 years, we are innovating education and standards with new methods of metrics, technology, accreditation, pedagogy, and development styles.

Because of our innovations, we can promote greater learning principles and new strategic thinking to professionals much more efficiently than traditional methods. While some in the business simply offer narrow choices of learning methods, the GAFM® was established by thought leaders, experts, managers, professors and CEOs from the “real world” by integrating top-tier certification, assessment, accreditation, professional development criteria, graduate and standards.

Rather than create a single, all-encompassing designation, the GAFM® has taken a research-based approach to our charter and certification structures and created specialized designations for careers in banking, management consulting, accounting, project management, risk management, economics, compliance, wealth management, and finance.

Each designation is targeted at a specific skill-set required to perform a role in the finance domain with world-class expertise. As such, GAFM® approved certification degree paths, executive programs, and graduate requirements ensure that each professional maintains the highest standard of demonstrated capability in their area of proficiency. Key advancements for success have been made in the last 15 years. We have expanded our operations globally, with new offices in the EU, Middle East, China, Latin America, India, West Indies, Africa and throughout Asia.

Our founding global entity, The GAFM® Board of Standards USA was originally chartered and is based in the Americas. It is still growing rapidly with increased disclosures, listings or recognition with top educational and certification authorities such as the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, Capital Markets Authorities, Ministries of Finance, United Nations Civil Society, UAE Government, Chinese Government, TUV Regulators, ISO Standards, National Accreditation Bodies, CHEA Quality Standards, and other international governmental and NGO agencies.

Graduate education and assessment for our core qualifications are possible through more than 800 of the world’s leading government-recognized business schools as a result of our mutual articulation agreements with the ACBSP Accreditation Agency and the recognition of the AACSB. Member growth is accelerating with GAFM® Members and Fellows in more than 150 countries.  Further, the GAFM is the first certification body in the world to be a charter signatory of the CHEA Standards accords for Quality. 

Our fastest-growing regions are Latin America, China, the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and India at this time, with several hundred members joining each month through our providers in California, New York, Germany, Switzerland, Indonesia, Cairo, Beijing, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, the U.K., Africa, India, Mexico, and elsewhere. Corporate players like Reuters, UBS, HSBC, Kaplan, Dearborn, BISYS, ABA Accredited Law Schools, half of the top 10 banks in the world, ACBSP, AACSB, Governments and others have been of great assistance in establishing a strong reputation as a key player in the International sector. The 2003 opening of our offices in Singapore was one of the steps we’ve taken to support this exciting demand.

While the GAFM® does not offer training directly; we have major training distribution partners worldwide much like other leading certification bodies. The difference is that the GAFM® utilizes accredited exams and courses as a path to certification.

With the establishment of our offshore consulting divisions in 1999, forming alliances with National Underwriter, and our expansions throughout Asia, the Arab region, Africa and India, the GAFM®-approved consulting and training companies have been extremely successful educating governmental employees, departments, staffs, corporations, and NGOs around the world. With our recent consultative work with the United Nations and the U.S. government, our scholarship, research, and charitable outreach continues to grow.

The GAFM® became the first certification body in the world to offer the highest standards of U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited business program exams as a path to certification. Our alliance with the CHEA and ACBSP Accreditation Agency allows for Nationally Accredited Business Program exams and courses to count for GAFM ® Certification Eligibility.

I welcome you to learn about our unmatched standards and accredited programs recognized by the GAFM® Certifying Board. With each year, the value of having certifications and advanced designations grows. However, the best way for our network to expand is through word of mouth. Make sure you use your designation and mark at every opportunity. Be proud of your certification. It makes you one of the next-generation of global leaders.

Together we are truly “Building the world’s future Leaders in Consulting™”

Sincerely and Kindest Regards, George

Commissioner Dr./Jur. George Mentz JD, MBA, CILS, CWM®, MPM®, ChMC/AMC®,
GAFM® International Board of Standards– Chair, General Counsel & CEO
Doctor of Jurisprudence/JD,  MBA, International Law Cert/Diplom. - Licensed Counselor of Law & Notary Public USA (Mentz has been a US Commissioner 2019-22)