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International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists Inc

EIN 39-1396077 · Brookfield, WI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PEER EXPERIENCE SHARING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH AN ONLINE COMMUNITY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, INFORMATION RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN EARNING OR MAINTAINING THE CEBS, GBA AND RPA DESIGNATIONS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
0
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$678,498, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $553,997 spent. TO ORGANIZE AND HOST A 2 1/2 DAY ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM THAT FEATURES CUTTING-EDGE ISSUES PRESENTED BY EXPERTS IN THE BENEFITS INDUSTRY. THE ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ALSO PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EARNING CREDIT TOWARDS LICENSING/CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS, ACCOUNTANTS, ATTORNEYS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS.
  2. $212,544 spent. TO PROVIDE AN ONLINE RESEARCH DATABASE AND INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY, WEBCASTS, NEWSBRIEFS, SURVEYS, E-LEARNING COURSES, AND MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORIES.
  3. $35,328 spent. TO PUBLISH A HIGHLY RESPECTED AND COMPREHENSIVE QUARTERLY JOURNAL THAT OFFERS THE LATEST TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION.
  4. $2,289 spent. TO OFFER WEBINARS TO NON-MEMBERS (SERVICE INCLUDED IN MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR MEMBERS) AND RECOGNITION ITEMS FOR MEMBERS WHO HAVE OBTAINED THEIR CEBS DESIGNATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.