About CEBS & Austin Chapter

About CEBS

In the employee benefits and compensation field, the oldest and most respected professional designation / credential is CEBS - the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist.  CEBS was established in 1977 through a partnership of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  The International Foundation, the largest educational organization in the employee benefits field, is responsible for the overall administration of the program.  The Wharton School, one of the preeminent business schools in the U.S., oversees academic content and standards.  In 1986, in cooperation with Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, the International Foundation established a CEBS program in Canada to meet the specific professional development needs of Canadian employee benefits professionals.  No other employee benefits or compensation program provides the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight through such a broad university-based curriculum.

CEBS offers you the opportunity to earn designations in three distinct areas of specialization: group benefits, retirement, and compensation.  The Group Benefits Associate (GBA), Retirement Plans Associate (RPA), and the Compensation Management Specialist (CMS) form the core of the CEBS curriculum.  Earn a designation in each of the specialty tracks and, at the same time, receive credit that will qualify toward earning the CEBS designation, which now carries an eight-course requirement (six required courses plus two electives).  In addition, the CEBS program accepts for exam credit, work completed in a select number of other approved professional programs.  Many students use CEBS courses to meet licensing and other continuing professional education requirements.  CEBS courses also may qualify for those wishing to earn undergraduate or graduate credit.

The certification choices that CEBS offers accommodate short and long term career goals.  Education can be tailored around areas of specialization and interest.  The flexible curriculum and availability of online classes help meet individual time commitments.  The new structure and flexibility of CEBS is a perfect fit with the needs and expectations of today's benefit and compensation professionals.  For more information and to enroll in the CEBS program, go to www.ifebp.org/cebs/desig.asp.  CEBS, GBA, RPA, and CMS graduates continue their professional development through the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists.

About the Austin Area Chapter

The Austin Area Chapter of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS) was founded in 1995 by a small group of like-minded employee benefit professionals who had completed the rigorous requirements to earn the prestigious and highly acclaimed CEBS professional designation.  James Sawyer, CEBS (1991) served as the chair of the organizing committee and coordinated the chapter formation process with assistance from the International Society.  Each of the 15 CEBS designees in the Austin area signed a petition to send to the International Society to gain approval to start the chapter.

The chapter's first meeting was held on September 7, 1995.  At that meeting the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws were approved by unanimous votes.  The initial group of officers and members of the board of directors were elected.  The chapter dues were set, committees were formed, and the chapter began to operate.

Since that time, the chapter has continued to grow in membership and strives to provide relevant and meaningful educational programs for its members.  The chapter has members from Johnson City, New Braunfels, and Round Rock, as well as Austin.  Members of the Austin Area Chapter have taught classes in conjunction with Austin Community College, and shared information with other employee benefit and human resource professionals who were current or prospective CEBS students.

Over the years, we have engaged new CEBS designees and CEBS students with meaningful program management and leadership opportunities for the mutual benefit of the chapter and its members.  The chapter is now in a strong position for continuing its mission of being the premier employee benefits organization in the greater Austin area as we continue to flourish and grow.