What Does CPWA® Mean?

Recently, I attended a conference and was shocked to learn that a staggering 81% of clients would like to learn more about any designations their Advisor may hold, even if they have been working with that Advisor for some time. This seemed like as good a platform as any to articulate what the letters CPWA^® mean after my name.

Certified Private Wealth Advisor^®, abbreviated as CPWA^® , is an advanced professional certification for advisors who serve high net worth clients. The certification is administered by the Investments and Wealth Institute (formerly IMCA). Candidates must meet certain requirements, which includes five years of experience in a relevant professional field and a comprehensive background check, before being allowed to enroll in the course.

There is a multi-month pre-study that must be completed before a required week-long class, which in my case was administered by the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. At the conclusion of the week, a proctored test was administered and I was fortunate to be among the roughly 55% of attendees to pass the test.

Obtaining my certification was great, but it is not permanent. To keep my credential, I need to adhere to the CPWA^® Code of Ethics, earn 40 or more hours of Continuing Education every two years, and meet additional compliance requirements.

Enrolling in this optional program came at a considerable cost to me, in terms of both time and money, but I feel it’s important to continually improve my skill and knowledge for the benefit of my clients. The course was very rewarding and I came away with many new ideas that I’ve been able to implement over the last year.

I’ve included a small brochure in this mailing that will give you additional details. I am very proud of this accomplishment and would love to answer any questions you might have about the CPWA^® program or what I learned.

If you're curious about what the other letters after my name, CCFC, mean, click here.