Merle Erickson
Professor of Accounting
Merle Erickson
Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) Certification
This certification program is an advanced credential for wealth managers working with high-net-worth clients.
Next Session
June 22-June 25, 2026
View All Dates
Location/Format
Hybrid
Investment Fee (in USD)
$6,995 USD
Questions? Connect with our enrollment advisors.
Next Session
June 22-June 25, 2026
View All Dates
Location/Format
Hybrid
Investment Fee (in USD)
$6,995 USD
Questions? Connect with our enrollment advisors.
The Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) Certification is 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 the Investments & Wealth Institute®, 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 a four-day 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.
The CPWA® certification program requires that candidates meet all eligibility requirements.
- Step 1: Submit CPWA® Certification Program Application to the Investments & Wealth Institute®.
- Step 2: Complete pre-study educational component.
- Step 3: Attend entire four-day in-class program.
- Step 4: Pass CPWA Certification Exam.
- Step 5: Provide compliance disclosure, complete license agreement and pay initial certification fee.
If you have not yet begun the CPWA certification process or would like more information about the Investments & Wealth Institute®’s advanced certification qualifications, please contact the Investments & Wealth Institute® directly at investmentsandwealth.org or (303) 770-3377.
Who Should Attend
Before beginning the CPWA certification process, candidates must demonstrate the following program prerequisites:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA®, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, RMA®, or CPA® license
- Undergo and pass a background check
- Five years of experience in financial services or delivering services to high-net-worth clients
Faculty Teaching This Program
At Booth, our distinguished faculty exemplify dedication and expertise, bringing deep passion to their teaching. Their steadfast commitment extends beyond traditional instruction, focusing on empowering every Executive Education participant, across all programs and global campuses, to achieve their professional and leadership goals.
Lubos Pastor
Charles P. McQuaid Distinguished Service Professor of Finance and Robert King Steel Faculty Fellow
Lubos Pastor
Jeff Levine
Lead Financial Planning Nerd, Kitces.com; Chief Planning Officer, Buckingham Wealth Partners
Jeff Levine
John Nersesian
CFP®, CIMA®, CIS, CPWA®, Head of Advisor Education, PIMCO
John Nersesian
Steven G. Siegel
President, The Siegel Group
Steven G. SiegelProgram Outline
- Ethics
- Behavioral Finance
- Family Dynamics
- Tax Planning
- Portfolio Management
- Risk Management and Asset Protection
- Charitable Giving and Endowments
- Estate Issues and Wealth Transfer
- Planning for Executives
- Planning for Closely Held Business Owners
- Retirement Management
Past Participant Insights
“I am a 25-year veteran of the financial services business with most of that time on the wealth management side and almost all of it at Northern Trust here in Chicago. Currently I am a managing director for one of our Wealth Advisory teams. One of the things that you realize in this business is that it is constantly changing—investment opportunities, tax and estate planning strategies, regulations, etc. If you are not committed to continuous learning, you are in effect falling behind. There has been a proliferation of certifications and accreditations in this business. What attracted me to the Certified Private Wealth Advisor program is that it is targeted to the advisor who works with the ultra-high-net-worth client. The other attractive aspect of the CPWA program is the partnership between IMCA [now the Investments & Wealth Institute] and The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Both organizations bring a high level of intellectual capital to the table. I began applying the knowledge gained in this program immediately—while I was still going through the program.”
—Charles Mueller, CPWA®, CTFA, Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Northern Trust
Upcoming Sessions
June 22–25, 2026
Self-study period: January–June 2026
September 14–17, 2026
Self-study period: March–September 2026
Apply Now
Fees are subject to change. Please visit investmentsandwealth.org for the most up-to-date information.
Download Brochure
Download the program brochure for in-depth insights on who should attend, a schedule preview, past participant profiles, location highlights, networking opportunities, and what to expect. When doing so, you’ll also receive an editable justification letter to help you make the case to your employer for your attendance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions