Why a CEPA?
A Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) will help you acquire key information to make informed decisions and maximize your after-tax proceeds when you exit your business.
How a cepa can help
A CEPA can help you:
- Articulate and align your personal, business and financial goals.
- Maximize your enterprise value.
- Minimize taxes.
- Identify and capitalize on timing opportunities.
- Resolve key issues by using wise guidance and solutions.
certification Requirements
Education
CEPA professionals must complete a comprehensive five-day course offered by the Exit Planning Institute. Every three years, CEPAs must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education to maintain their certification.
Examination
Participants must pass a four-hour proctored exam covering topics such as goal assessment, business valuation, value enhancement, exit options analysis, transaction structuring, tax planning, and working effectively as a team with other key advisers.
Experience
Prior to entering the CEPA program, advisers must have at least five years of experience working with business owners in a professional adviser capacity.
Ethics
CEPA practitioners must abide by a strict code of ethical conduct that sets forth professional responsibilities to business owners, the public, and their clients.
What to Expect from a CEPA
First, you can expect a CEPA to focus intently on you and ask many questions. This discussion will help determine your personal and business goals, financial needs, business value, tolerance for risk, and transition time frame. That, in turn, will drive the development of an exit plan tailored specifically for you.
A CEPA uses an owner-focused, targeted approach that sets them apart from other general practitioners who seldom drill down into more complex exit planning issues. The more your adviser knows, the better the results – for you, your family and your future.