Unlock your full potential in the business advisory domain with the prestigious Certified Business Advisor Professional™ (CBAV™) certification, exclusively offered by the Institute of Business Advisors. Whether you’re a professional working in a corporate role or part of a professional services firm, the CBAV certification equips you with the skills and confidence to excel as a broad-based business advisor.
![Institute of Business Advisors](https://theiba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CBGA-certified-business-growth-advisor-promotion-image-revised.jpg")
The Certified Business Growth Advisor™ (CBGA™) from the Institute of Business Advisors (IBA) equips you to turn strategy into results. If you advise clients—or operate inside a company—and want to drive measurable revenue and value creation, CBGA gives you the playbooks, tools, and confidence to lead growth.
The Institute of Business Advisors provides the exclusive training to become a Certified Corporate Growth Advisor™ (CCGA™). The CCGA certification program is designed to transform your mindset and skillset to become a best-in-class business growth advisor.
The Certified Private Equity Advisor™ (CPEA™) certification from the Institute of Business Advisors is a unique and highly specialized program designed for professionals who want to master the complexities of private equity. From understanding fundamental industry principles to mastering advanced strategies for creating value and achieving successful exits, CPEA equips you with the skills and insights you need to excel.
Ready to advance your education but short on time or resources? The MBA Certificate from the Institute of Business Advisors offers a practical and valuable solution for those looking to expand their business acumen and credentials without the lengthy commitment and cost of a traditional MBA degree.
Who We Are
We help professionals become better, broader, best-in-class business advisors. We are business advisory thought leaders – innovators, educators, strategists, operators, and builders – advancing the discipline of broad-based, high-impact business advisory that blends business acumen with real-world execution know-how.
Our Members
IBA serves professionals who deliver value-added business advice across accounting, banking, consulting, law, private equity, and corporate operations. Members use IBA to strengthen on-the-job skills, widen their advisory scope beyond a technical niche, accelerate their careers, and help companies thrive. As clients and employers increasingly demand strategic, cross-functional advisory talent, we help our members become better, broader, and best-in-class.
Membership options: Individual and Corporate.
Our Mission
To advance the discipline of business advisory by delivering rigorous business-acumen education, enabling knowledge sharing, developing practice capabilities, and championing the highest ethical and professional standards.
Our Vision
To be the leading global platform for developing, certifying, and supporting best-in-class business advisors – and the organizations they serve.
Our Tagline
“Accelerating Business Acumen, Advisory, and Growth™”
Our CBAV, CBGA, CPEA, and CCGA Designations
The IBA is the exclusive provider of the Certified Business Advisor Professional™ (CBAV), Certified Business Growth Advisor™ (CBGA), Certified Private Equity Advisor™ (CPEA), and Certified Corporate Growth Advisor™ (CCGA) designations – credentials that equip professionals to operate as top-tier business advisors.
MBA-in-a-Box is your One-Stop-Shop and Grab-and-Go Business Toolbox.
Grow SKILLS
Grow your business advisory skills.
Grow NETWORK
Grow your business advisory network.
Grow TOOLS
Grow your business advisory tool box.
Grow SELF
Grow your career and confidence.
Grow SALES
Learn top strategies to grow sales.
Grow PROFITS
Learn top techniques to grow profits.
Grow PEOPLE
Learn top strategies to grow people.
Grow PROCESS
Learn business process improvement.
Grow DIGITAL
Learn top strategies to grow digitally.
Grow STRATEGY
Learn proven and powerful strategies.
Grow M&A
Learn top tips for mergers & acquisitions.
Grow INNOVATION
Learn top ideas to grow innovation.
Grow QUICK WINS
Learn low-hanging fruit ideas and strategies.
Grow ANALYSIS
Grow financial analysis tools and methods.
Grow SOFT SKILLS
Grow your communication and soft skills.
Grow TRAINING
Access to value-added training and tools.
Top 10 Strategies for Leveraging Your IBA + MBA-in-a-Box Membership Effectively
The following represents 10 ways to maximize your IBA + MBA-in-a-Box membership. Generally speaking, these ideas apply whether you have an individual or corporate membership. We encourage you to explore additional ways to optimize your IBA competitive advantage!
Credential Showcase: Include your IBA membership credentials on your resume, LinkedIn profile, company website, and in proposals.- Continuous Learning: Utilize the MBA-in-a-Box as a tool for learning and development (engage in weekly document reviews, organize “Lunch & Learns,” start a “Book Club”, etc.).
- Goal Setting: Set personal development objectives using MBA-in-a-Box (aim to read 10 book summaries, 5 case studies, 5 articles on business growth strategies, or achieve a white belt lean six sigma, etc.).
- Insight Sharing: Employ MBA-in-a-Box to discover and share value-added ideas and insights with clients, prospects, colleagues and on your newsletter or social media.
- Marketing Integration: Feature your IBA membership credentials in your marketing materials, proposals, website, and as part of your thought leadership initiatives.
- Recruitment & Retention: Utilize the IBA membership as an innovative tool for recruitment and retention, offering rewards for specific employee engagement milestones.
- Service Expansion: Use MBA-in-a-Box resources to improve, broaden, or create new advisory services.
- Skill Enhancement: Enhance your networking, business development, communication, speaking, and advisory skills with the help of the MBA-in-a-Box platform.
- Free Core Training and CBAP Certification: Participate in core training programs offered for free through the IBA’s learning management system. Take and successfully pass 15 core courses and become a Certified Business Advisor Professional™, which is free and available to members only.
- Certification Advancement: Upgrade your training and certifications with courses like Business Advisor Bootcamp, Business Book Bootcamp, MBA-in-a-Day™, Yellow Belt Lean Six Sigma, or by becoming a Certified Corporate Growth Advisor™.
Top 10 Reasons Professional Service Firms Join the IBA + MBA-in-a-Box
The following are 10 primary benefits that professional service firms gain from a corporate membership. These advantages are also relevant to professionals considering our individual membership option.
- Future-Proof Your Firm: In an ever-evolving business landscape, the combination of IBA membership and the MBA-in-a-Box learning platform ensures your team remains ahead of the curve, prepared to meet the changing needs of the industry and your clients.
- Prestige and Recognition: Membership with the IBA elevates your firm’s stature by aligning with an elite business association committed to the highest level of business advisory education, standards, services, and business growth.
- Comprehensive Business Education: Access MBA-level insights and business strategies through MBA-in-a-Box’s on-demand resources and courses, covering everything from business book summaries to business case studies, tailored for the professional services sector.
- Competitive Differentiation: Stand out in a crowded market by offering strategic, value-added advice to your clients, thanks to the broad business acumen gained through the IBA + MBA-in-a-Box program.
- Enhanced Client Service: Equip your team with the skills to not only serve as technical advisors but as strategic business advisors, adding depth to your client service offerings.
- Talent Attraction and Retention: Demonstrate your commitment to employee growth and development, making your firm more attractive to top talent and aiding in retention efforts.
- Continuous Professional Development: The combination of IBA membership and MBA-in-a-Box ensures ongoing learning and development, keeping your team current with the latest business ideas, trends, strategies, and innovations.
- Flexible Learning Platform: MBA-in-a-Box’s learning management system allows your professionals to learn at their own pace, fitting their education around busy schedules and ensuring optimal learning outcomes.
- Networking Opportunities: Join an exclusive network of business professionals and advisors through the IBA, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, collaboration, and peer-to-peer learning.
- Tailored Learning Paths for Dual Impact: Utilize MBA-in-a-Box to meet both your firm’s and client’s specific needs and opportunities, ensuring relevant learning that promotes employee business acumen growth and client satisfaction/business growth.
- EXTRA: CBAP Certification: Encourage your employee’s to become a Certified Business Advisor Professional™ by successfully completing 15 IBA core courses. The CBAP credential is free and available to all members!
By joining the IBA and integrating MBA-in-a-Box into your firm’s professional development strategy (which by the way does not replace or compete with your existing learning systems but serves as a supplemental and synergistic resource), you’re not just investing in your team’s growth; you’re positioning your firm for long-term success and distinction in the professional services market.
Acumen. Advisory. Growth.™