CSI is introducing a unique series of courses designed to help advisors build and maintain relationships with clients looking for wealth management support though all stages of their life.

The program, built with extensive feedback from the advisor community, responds to the growing number of clients requiring a holistic approach to wealth management. Graduates will be awarded a new designation, the Chartered Professional Strategic Wealth, at the completion of the suite of courses.

“CSI is the first financial education provider to wholly address the need for specialized training in wealth management,” said CSI president and CEO Roberta Wilton. “We consulted extensively with advisors and learned they are looking to develop skills that will allow them to apply comprehensive strategies to address every aspect of their clients’ financial well-being including leading an integrated network of wealth management experts. These strategies will appeal to affluent clients looking for wealth solutions through a single point of contact and, in turn, help advisors build their businesses and profits.”

In addition to the CSI’s self-paced learning, the suite of courses will also be offered in a group-learning format that allows advisors to interact with an instructor and their peers for an enhanced financial education experience. Designation candidates will be required to complete seven courses including the following five mandatory core courses based on a client’s life stages:

– Strategic Wealth Transfer
– Strategic Wealth Practice
– Strategic Wealth Accumulation
– Strategic Wealth Preservation
– Strategic Wealth Conversion

“The Ch.P. Strategic Wealth will give advisors the tools they need to address all of their clients’ needs in every stage of life to maximize their clients’ wealth. And, advisors who complete the courses and earn the designation will have sound strategy to grow their own business and wealth,” Wilton said.

The baby boom generation has already started its march to retirement, and research says that 71% of family businesses have no succession plans. Sixty-five per cent of wealth managers say they face profit-increase challenges. CSI recognizes that more detailed expertise is required to meet the demand for smarter, more complex wealth management advice across the complete range of life stages.

“The value-add service a wealth manager provides is in truly understanding the client’s needs, building and managing the team of experts and then integrating the experts’ input into a comprehensive wealth plan for each life stage,” Wilton said. “By earning the Ch.P. Strategic Wealth designation, advisors will be well positioned to effectively meet the needs of the growing number of Canadians who are accumulating wealth.”

Enrolment requirements include completion of CSI’s Canadian Securities Course with either the Professional Financial Planning Course or the Wealth Management Essentials course or one of the following designations: Certified Financial Planner, Personal Financial Planner, Registered Financial Planner, or Financial Management Advisor.