Certified Business Advisor Professional™

ELEVATE YOUR CAREER WITH THE CERTIFIED BUSINESS ADVISOR PROFESSIONAL (CBAV) CERTIFICATION

Certified Business Advisor Professional™ (CBAV™) is IBA’s foundational credential in cross-functional business advisory, exclusively offered by the Institute of Business Advisors (IBA). Whether you work in a corporate role or in a professional services firm, CBAV equips you to move beyond a technical niche—building fluency in finance, strategy, markets, and execution—so you can deliver measurable results and lead with confidence as a broad-based business advisor.

Designed for ambitious professionals eager to distinguish themselves, CBAV lays the foundation to become a trusted, broad-based business advisor—and positions you for advanced growth credentials.

CBAV is available to all IBA members at no additional cost.

* * * * *

CBAV Certification: Your Path to Business Advisory Excellence

The Certified Business Advisor Professional™ (CBAV) certification requires candidates to successfully complete and pass 15 IBA Core Courses (all online, on-demand, and self-study courses and all free to IBA members). These courses are designed to provide comprehensive knowledge and practical insights to help professionals excel as broad-based business advisors.

Explore Some of Our Course Offerings:

Our extensive library of courses spans key areas of business advisory, leadership, and strategic growth, including:

• MBA-in-a-Day: Core
• Becoming a Business Advisor: Core
• 80/20 Rule Training
• Lean Six Sigma White Belt Training
• “Good to Great” Training
• The ABC’s of AI
• Marketing Mastery (MBA Core Course)
• Strategic Thinking (MBA Core Course)
• 25 Game-Changing Strategies for Business Growth (PE Core Course)
• Value Creation & Strategic Growth (PE Core Course)

With topics ranging from foundational business concepts to advanced strategies in private equity, leadership, and AI, these courses ensure you gain the knowledge and tools needed to elevate your advisory skills and career.

* * * * *

For Individuals:
• Recognition of Expertise: Attain a mark of distinction that recognizes your proficiency and dedication to continuous learning in business advisory and business acumen.
• Career Advancement: Leverage the CBAV certification to open doors to advanced career opportunities, higher positions, and increased earning potential within the industry.
• Enhanced Skill Set: Gain comprehensive knowledge across a wide range of essential business advisory areas, ensuring you’re well-equipped to engage in consultative conversations, tackle complex challenges, and offer innovative solutions.
• Professional Credibility: Boost your professional credibility among peers, clients, and industry leaders, establishing yourself as a trusted authority in business advisory.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with a vibrant community of CBAV-certified professionals, fostering opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and growth.

* * * * *

For Firms:
• Competitive Edge: Firms employing CBAV-certified professionals demonstrate a commitment to excellence and expertise, setting them apart in the marketplace.
• Enhanced Client Confidence & Business Development: Promoting the CBAV certification boosts client confidence in your firm’s expertise and serves as a key differentiator to attract new business, showcasing your commitment to excellence and establishing your firm as the go-to choice for expert business advice and advisory services.
• Professional Development: Investing in your employees’ CBAV certifications underscores your dedication to professional development, employee satisfaction, and retention.
• Quality Assurance: The CBAV certification acts as a seal of quality, assuring clients of the high standards of advisory services provided by your firm.
• Brand Prestige: Elevate your firm’s brand prestige by aligning with the CBAV certification, synonymous with industry-leading knowledge, broad-based business acumen, and advisory proficiency.

* * * * *

Qualifications for the CBAV Certification:

Achieving the CBAV certification is available to IBA members only, is offered at no cost, and represents a mark of your commitment to broad-based business acumen as well as excellence in the business advisory field. To qualify for this prestigious certification, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Comprehensive Course Completion: Successfully complete a total of 15 IBA core courses (online, on-demand, self-paced) of your choosing, each carefully designed to cover essential areas of broad-based business acumen and advisory. The entire program is estimated to take approximately 8 hours to complete. This ensures a well-rounded and in-depth understanding of the field.
2. Academic Proficiency: Obtain a passing score of 70% or higher on each of the quizzes associated with the 15 core courses. This requirement underscores the importance of not only engaging with the course content but also mastering the material to a standard of excellence.
3. Membership Continuity: Maintain ongoing IBA membership status in good standing. The CBAV certification is not just a one-time achievement but a commitment to continual growth and engagement within the IBA community. Staying active in your IBA membership ensures that you remain connected to the latest developments, resources, and networking opportunities in the business acumen and advisory domain.

Once you’ve completed items 1 and 2 above, please email a pdf transcript from your “My Courses” to contact@theIBA.org to obtain your official CBAV certificate.

* * * * *

Becoming a CBAV certified professional is a testament to your dedication, expertise, and professionalism in the industry. It’s a journey that not only enhances your personal career trajectory but also contributes significantly to the prestige and quality assurance of the company or firm you represent.

Embrace the opportunity to stand out and make an impact. Begin your journey to CBAV certification today and set a new standard of excellence in business acumen and advisory.