Earning your Certified Employee Benefits Specialist® (CEBS®) designation is no small feat.

Rob Staniloff, CEBS, an HR advisor in pensions and benefits at Suncor, began his CEBS journey in early 2024 with the Canadian course. While most people would have taken a break after completing one designation, Staniloff doubled down and buckled in for another go around, completing the U.S. coursework and earning both designations in the same year. What are the secrets to his CEBS success story?

How did you first become aware of CEBS?

“I had known about the CEBS designation for a long time. When I worked at Aon Hewitt in Canada, several of my colleagues held the CEBS designation. At the time, I was focused on the actuarial path and didn’t seriously consider pursuing it until later in my career.”

How do you think the CEBS designation will help you professionally? How do you think that dual perspective will benefit your work?

“Absolutely. The Canadian side is directly relevant to my current role in pensions and benefits. Having that knowledge is crucial and immediately applicable.

Gaining the U.S. perspective gives me the flexibility to move to the U.S. and work there, potentially. It also positions me to support Canadian companies that have U.S. employees, allowing me to contribute from here while understanding both systems.

Not many professionals hold both designations, so I saw it as a way to set myself apart— as someone with a well-rounded, cross-border understanding of pensions and benefits. That could position me as a go-to resource within my company or for future opportunities.”

Were there any time management tools or techniques that helped you stay focused and organized?
“Before I even started the CEBS program, I did some research on YouTube and found short videos from the International Foundation featuring tips from CEBS graduates. One of the most useful pieces of advice I got was simple: Stick to a schedule, and reward yourself for following it.

Here’s what else I did:

• I created a personalized study plan by texting myself a schedule broken down by module. My goal was to go through the manual at least four times before the exam. The first pass was the most time-consuming, so I gave myself more time for that. Each subsequent pass, I shortened the timeframes to increase efficiency through repetition.
• Before opening the textbook, I took the practice exam to see where I was—I failed all the exams. My focus was on understanding, not memorization. I didn’t check the answer key until I consistently scored around 88–90%, and only then did I review what I got wrong.
• The practice exams directly aligned with the study guide. If you master the material in that guide, you’ll be well prepared, but it requires dedication and discipline.
• Consistency was the most important factor. I studied in the mornings before work, in the evenings, and on weekends, avoiding long breaks between study sessions. I knew that if I spaced modules too far apart, I’d risk forgetting what I had just learned—it had to be continuous.

Build a schedule and stick to it. Life will always get in the way, and everyone’s routines and responsibilities are different, but for me, consistency made all the difference.”

After you finished each course, what did you do to commemorate the accomplishment?

“After I finished the Canadian coursework, I celebrated with a small dinner with friends and my wife. I wasn’t able to attend the graduation for the Canadian designation in Toronto, which was disappointing. I’ll be attending the Symposium in Minneapolis. Some of my friends are coming along too, and they’ll be joining me for the graduation. I’m really looking forward to visiting Minneapolis and commemorating the accomplishment—It’s a big milestone, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss it.”

As you prepared for the exams, did you have any pretest rituals or any good luck charms?

“Before each exam, I would go for a drive around Calgary to clear my mind. I’d take my dog with me, and we’d just drive for about an hour and a half before the test.

Even then, I procrastinated taking it. My wife had to push me up the stairs to take the exam because I was worried I was going to fail, but she assured me that I was ready.”

What was your most meaningful takeaway from any of the designations you’ve earned?

“Becoming well-versed in pensions and benefits across Canada has given me a deeper understanding of the ins and outs, making me more effective and confident in my current role.

The U.S. course gave me a clear understanding of the American pension and benefits system, which I had little to no understanding of beforehand. Now, having that knowledge opens the door to future opportunities—whether that’s expanding my responsibilities in my current role or exploring new roles that involve U.S. plans.”

Written by Tim Hennessy

Editor at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans  

Favorite Foundation Product: Plans & Trusts 

Benefits-related topics that interest him the most: retirement security and mental health 

Personal Insights: Tim enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, reading, writing, and running.