Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) Certification

An advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers who work with high-net-worth individuals, focusing on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. Candidates who earn the certification understand how to develop specific strategies to minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth.

High-net-worth individuals have unique needs that can’t be properly addressed by an advisor with a basic financial planning background. The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) certification program is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers working with high-net-worth clients.

Developed by Investment Management Consultants Association® (IMCA®), the CPWA® program focuses on the life cycle of wealth—accumulation, preservation, and distribution. CPWA® certified professionals are able to identify and analyze the unique challenges high-net-worth individuals face and understand how to develop specific strategies to minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth.

The program begins with an approximately six-month long pre-study program and concludes with this 5-day long session. Program faculty include both University of Chicago Booth School of Business professors and experienced practitioners—wealth managers, retirement planning specialists, investment managers, tax experts and estate-planning and asset-protection attorneys.

Designed for wealth managers who advise high-net-worth clients, this program is open to those who have submitted an application detailing five years of relevant experience, and have completed the pre-study educational component.

STEPS TO CERTIFICATION

The CPWA® certification program requires that candidates meet all eligibility requirements.

• Step 1: Submit CPWA® Certification Program Application to Investment Management Consultants Association® (IMCA®)
• Step 2: Complete pre-study educational component
• Step 3: Attend entire five-day in-class program
• Step 4: Pass comprehensive examination
• Step 5: Sign Licensing Agreement and adhere to IMCA® Code of Professional Responsibility, Standards of Practice, and Rules and Guidance for use of the marks.

PROGRAM CORE TOPIC LIST

Part I: Human Dynamics

• Section 1: Ethics
• Section 2: Applied Behavioral Finance
• Section 3: Family Dynamics

Part II: Wealth Management Strategies

• Section 4: Tax Strategies and Planning
• Section 5: Portfolio Management
• Section 6: Risk Management and Asset Protection

Part III: Client Specialization

• Section 7: Client Focus—Executives
• Section 8: Client Focus—Closely Held Business Owners
• Section 9: Client Focus—Retirement

Part IV: Legacy Planning

• Section 10: Charitable Group
• Section 11: Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer