Certified Private Equity Advisor™

Become a Certified Private Equity Advisor™ (CPEA™)

Elevate Your Career in Private Equity with a Certification That Sets You Apart

The Certified Private Equity Advisor™ (CPEA™) from the Institute of Business Advisors (IBA) is a specialized program designed for professionals who want to master the PE lifecycle end-to-end — from sourcing and valuation to value creation and exits.

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Why Choose the CPEA Certification?

In the competitive world of private equity, having a robust set of specialized skills is essential. The CPEA Certification empowers you to:

Master the Core Essentials: Learn how to structure deals, analyze valuations, conduct due diligence, and drive strategic growth in portfolio companies.

Stand Out in the Industry: Differentiate yourself with a prestigious certification that demonstrates your comprehensive expertise in private equity.

Gain Practical, Actionable Insights: Dive into real-world scenarios and case studies, equipping yourself with the tools and knowledge to lead confidently.

Enhance Your Strategic Decision-Making: Develop the ability to identify growth opportunities, mitigate risks, and maximize returns for investors.

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What You’ll Learn

The CPEA™ Certification Program consists of 7 core courses and 8 self-selected elective courses — a total of 15 courses — offering the perfect blend of structured learning and personalized growth.

Core Courses

• Private Equity Fundamentals: Understanding the Industry
  Build a strong foundation in private equity—its purpose, players, and key principles.
• Valuation and Financial Modeling in Private Equity
  Master essential valuation techniques and develop robust financial models.
• Deal Structuring and Negotiation Strategies
  Learn the art of structuring deals and negotiating terms that create long-term value.
• Due Diligence and Risk Assessment
  Gain insights into conducting thorough due diligence and assessing potential risks.
• Value Creation and Strategic Growth in Portfolio Companies
  Discover proven strategies for driving performance and growth across investments.
• Exit Strategies and Maximizing Returns
  Explore exit options and learn how to strategically plan and execute successful exits.
• 25 Game-Changing Strategies for Business Growth
  Access a toolkit of innovative strategies to accelerate growth and scale businesses.

Elective Courses

Choose any 8 courses from the IBA Course Library to broaden your expertise across finance, operations, leadership, and growth—customized to your professional goals and focus areas.

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Who Should Enroll?

The CPEA Certification is ideal for:

Private Equity Professionals: Analysts, associates, partners, executives, and students seeking to sharpen their expertise and enhance their impact (including those involved in business development or deal origination).

Finance and Investment Specialists: Professionals aiming to transition into private equity or broaden their knowledge in this field.

Consultants and Business Advisors: Individuals looking to add private equity advisory to their service offerings and/or credentials.

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Your Path to Certification

To obtain the CPEA Certification, you will need to complete all 7 core courses plus 8 self-selected IBA business-related courses (a total of 15 courses). This flexible model allows you to focus on your specific areas of interest while mastering the core competencies of private equity.

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Investment and Pricing

Investment and Pricing

The cost for the CPEA Certification is $499, paid in two phases:

• Phase 1: An initial payment of $199 represents your IBA membership fee (simply hit the “Enroll Now” button), which grants you immediate access to all online courses and your individual learning dashboard.
• Phase 2: Upon successful completion of the courses and submission of your transcript (emailed to contact@theiba.org), the remaining balance of $300 is paid to begin the process of receiving your personalized CPEA Certificate.

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EXTRA: Built-In Advisory Toolkit Included

Every CPEA learner receives full access to IBA’s MBA-in-a-Box™ — our on-demand advisory toolbox and learning hub. This includes practical tools, business book summaries, business insights, and real-world resources to help you elevate client value faster.

In summary, your CPEA journey is backed by a 24/7 library of business ideas, case studies, and actionable tools — plus complimentary enrollment in all IBA Core Courses.

Move from knowing to doing — with support you can access anytime.