Congratulations on earning your Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA) certification! After completing the CEPA® course and passing the exam, you’ve joined an elite group of professionals dedicated to helping business owners navigate the complex process of exit planning. Now that you have your certification, you might be wondering what comes next. Here’s a guide to help you take the next steps and make the most of your new credential with tips from one of our Account Managers, John Weishar.
Immediate Next Steps After Completing the CEPA Program
Attend a New CEPA Next Steps Call
One of the best initial steps is to attend a New CEPA Next Steps Call. This call will provide you with a roadmap for leveraging your certification and integrating it into your professional practice.
Schedule a 1:1 Call with Your Account Manager
Book a personal call with your account manager to learn about best practices, staying connected, and where to find essential materials. As John says, "Reach out to your AM if you need connections or have questions".
Update Your Contact Information
It’s essential to add CEPA to all your contact information. Update your email signatures, business cards, LinkedIn profile, and any other professional profiles to reflect your new designation. This not only enhances your credibility but also signals to potential clients and partners your expertise in exit planning.
Actions for the Exit Planning Advisor
EPI has outlined a clear set of actions to ensure you maximize your CEPA certification:
Go Through the 120-Day Playbook
The 120-Day Playbook is designed to guide you through the initial stages of implementing your new knowledge. It includes actionable steps to integrate CEPA principles into your practice.
Attend Webinars and Think Tanks
Regularly attending Webinars and Think Tanks will keep you updated on industry trends and provide opportunities to learn from other experts in the field.
Join Your Local Chapter
Being part of your local EPI chapter allows you to network with other CEPAs and professionals in your area. This is a valuable resource for support and collaboration.
Attend the EPI Summit
The Exit Planning Summit is an excellent opportunity for continuing education and networking. It’s a chance to deepen your knowledge and connect with other exit planning advisors.
Explore Member Center Materials
Take the time to go through the member center materials thoroughly. Resources such as presentation templates, webinar recordings, and assessment tools are invaluable for your practice.
Explore EPI Academy Courses
These courses offer advanced training and further enhance your skills to connect with business owners. They also count towards your Continuing Education (CE) credits.
Familiarize Yourself with Partner Network and Software Providers
Knowing the tools and software available through EPI’s partner network will streamline your processes and provide additional value to your practice.
How EPI Supports New CEPAs
EPI is committed to supporting its CEPAs. Our team of account managers check in with CEPAs multiple times per year via phone or email to ensure they are getting the most out of their designation. "We support our CEPAs by checking in multiple times per year via phone call check- in or email check- in," says John. "As Account Managers, we help them collaborate and get connected with other CEPAs inside the community. In a sense we are the 'quarterback' for them to make sure they get the most out of the designation."
Exit Planning Tools
While we don't directly connect CEPAs with clients, John says that new CEPAs “should be utilizing materials within their Member Center including press releases, email marketing templates, introductory letter templates, social media sharing kits, presentations and templates, and the 2023 National State of Owner Readiness.” Using these tools can help CEPAs connect to business owners and support them in this new career path.
Additional Tips for New CEPAs
Utilize ‘Find A CEPA’
Make sure your profile in the Find A CEPA directory is up-to-date. This directory is a valuable tool for potential clients searching for certified advisors. "One of the most overlooked things that they need to do is notify us if they need any contact information updated or if they change firms," John advises, "so that we can make sure we have the most up-to-date contact information for them so that when people are searching on Find A CEPA, the contact info is correct."
Understand Membership and CE Requirements
Keep track of your continuing education requirements and membership obligations to maintain your certification.
Going the Distance
Earning your CEPA certification is a significant achievement, but it’s just the beginning. By following these steps, you can maximize the value of your certification, connect with business owners, and effectively build a team for successful exit planning. Remember, your account manager is there to support you, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Embrace these next steps, and you’ll be well on your way to making a substantial impact as an exit planning advisor. Welcome to the CEPA community!
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