The CEPA is a credential from the Exit Planning Institute for advisors who help business owners prepare to sell or hand off their company.
Candidates attend the Institute's five-day online program and pass a closed-book proctored exam afterward. FINRA's entry lists no prerequisite beyond being 18 or older.
To keep it, holders renew every three years with at least 40 hours of exit planning education, at least 20 of them from the Institute's own programs, and must keep a paid Institute membership; if the membership lapses, the credential is deactivated. They also agree to its professional standards and code of ethics.
The CEPA is held by financial advisors, accountants, attorneys, business brokers, and consultants. It is not a business valuation credential, a broker license, or an investment adviser registration, and it says nothing about how someone is paid.
In the public graph, 21 of the 24,501 fee-only advisors list the CEPA.
How to check
Search the Find a CEPA directory on exit-planning-institute.org. For a financial advisor, also check the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site for registration and how the firm is paid.
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