In 2007, Chris Snider, President, and CEO of the Exit Planning Institute started the first local chapter in Northeast Ohio, becoming the first-ever Chapter President. In 2019, The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) supports more than 20 local chapters from coast-to-coast (and counting). Every chapter is a hub for advisors, leaders, and experts to network with complementary disciplines to his/her specialty, earn continuing education, and collaborate on exit planning projects.
Every chapter is led by a top Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and a local leadership team to cultivate a go-to source for advisors and business owners alike. As natural collaborators, these chapters forge strong bonds with influential organizations including local media outlets and business journals, colleges and universities, as well as major brands in the financial/professional services space and reputable member associations like AICPA, AM&AA, ACG, NACVA and more. When you attend an EPI Chapter Meeting, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who work together to run a variety of programs, learning seminars and networking socials.
From every corner of the United States, local advisors lead projects, host owner-educational events and workshops, and conduct media-grabbing research in an effort to spread exit planning awareness to the millions of business owners nationwide that can benefit from the realization that, whether you are a Baby Boomer or Millennial entrepreneur, Exit planning is truly a business strategy. Every owner is different, and no situation is ever the same. That is why it’s important to keep up with the ever-changing business marketplace. Local chapters allow business owners to expand their network and grow their team, which, in the end, benefits business-owning clients.
Exit planning is not one size fits all which reflects in the chapter’s educational topics. Each chapter offers a wide array of topics that are relevant to each advisor that serves business owner clients.
www.EPIDetroit.org
Don’t see a chapter in your area? Explore www.EPIChapters.com and find all 22 chapters.
“This Methodology is Going to Supercharge My Practice!” -Justin Goodbread, CEPA, CFP®
Official ‘Exit Planning’ Definition: Exit planning combines the plan, concept, effort, and process into a clear, simple strategy to build a business that is transferable through strong human, structural, customer, and social capital. The future of the business owner, his/her family, and the business itself are addressed by exit planning through creating value today.
Exit planning is not just a plan (or a keyed-in report to print out for an owner). It is a strategy rooted in execution that grows value while expanding options so that an owner can transition the business on his/her terms when they are ready. It aligns the business, personal, and financial needs of the owner. Good exit planning utilizes the Value Acceleration Methodology™ to move clients through discovery, prepare, and decide gates. Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA) educate the owner on all of the exit options and enters an engagement with an exit-option-agnostic perspective as to truly serve the business owner’s diverse needs. CEPAs collaborate with a seasoned, multi-disciplinary team of professionals to support the success of the business owner and use each other’s specialties and expertise to the benefit of the project. [view the award-winning methodology]
“Why did I earn CEPA when I already had an exit planning designation? Simple, the network. The quality of the EPI advisor network is unmatched.” -Paul Meyer, CEPA, CBEC
Do you consider your COIs or your referral network as the #1 source for new business? Look no further for your next membership affiliation. Formed in 2005 to serve educational and resource needs of financial planners and wealth managers, CPA/accountants, attorneys, commercial lenders, M&A advisors and business brokers, management consultants and other business advisors, the Exit Planning Institute is considered the standard trendsetter in the field of exit planning across the globe. It is the only organization that offers the Certified Exit Planning Advisor Program (CEPA) and qualifies for continuing education credits with twelve major professional associations, making it the most widely accepted and endorsed professional exit planning program in the world. [find a CEPA in your area]
“As a CPA, nothing is more important than exit planning.” -Bill Kenedy, CPA/ABV, CFF, CEPA
Our founders paved the way for the organization we are today. In the past three years alone, EPI has grown by more than ten times. We support and enable thousands of professional advisors who are leading the way in their local marketplaces across the globe. We invite you to join the community and experience the EPI difference.
We are powered by a dedicated staff, industry experts, and market leaders, that are passionate about providing top professional advisors the best industry content, ongoing practice support, and owner education resources. From humble beginnings, EPI has grown to become the exit planning market leader while staying focused and true to our mission. We are an education company that certifies and supports more than 900 CEPAs (and counting) as well as thousands of advisors worldwide through national, regional, chapter, and virtual education. Explore our history and make plans to play a part in our future. [explore the EPI history timeline snapshot]
“You want to have the best credential in the industry. So my advice is that you have to go with Exit Planning Institute.” -Vincent Mastrovito, CEPA, CBEC
Do you want help in an increasingly commoditized or oversaturated marketplace? Do you want just another designation for your business card or do you want the credentialing education that helps you adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing industry? You’ve come to the right place.
The Exit Planning Institute creates an exit planning “ecosystem,” and due to the diverse nature of exit planning, EPI has fostered a hyper-engaged exit planning community. This community includes CEPAs, other collaborative advisors, strategic alliance partners, academicians, the media, and business owners from across the globe made up of 15 countries, 44 U.S. States and representing over a dozen different professional disciplines. To serve this elite and cross-functional community on one major platform, EPI produces the best content as it relates to exit planning, succession planning, and value acceleration, provides ongoing advisor support and practice development, and creates connectivity to transitioning business owners. [connect with us today]
The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) Program is the most widely endorsed and accepted exit planning designation in the marketplace today. Experience the EPI difference and determine if earning the CEPA designation is the next strategic move for you to reinvent yourself in a changing marketplace. Visit www.EarnCEPA.com today.