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What will you learn about?

The Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program consists of the following five courses covering the major competencies of a wealth manager who deals with high net worth clients:

Each course consists of a series of modules (6 to 10 modules depending on the course) covering specialized topics within that competency domain. The modules range in length from 0.5 to 6 hours. Each module concludes with an online test. Completion of that test earns the learner multi-jurisdictional CE credits.  Students thus earn CE credits incrementally as they work their way through the course.

Completion of all online tests within a course earns the learner a course completion notice along with a micro-certificate which is represented to the student in the form of a digital badge. For example, learners who complete the Retirement Planning for High Net Worth Clients course will receive a congratulatory note indicating they have earned a Micro-Certificate in Retirement Planning for High Net Worth Clients which will allow them to share their verified CSI credential online on email signatures, digital resumes, websites, and social media channels.

In addition, learners who complete this course are also on the path to earning the Certificate in Retirement Strategies and learners who complete the Estate Planning for High Net Worth Clients course are on the path to earning the Certificate in Estate Planning and Trust Strategies.

Finally, learners who complete the full Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program or equivalencies will have completed the formal course requirements for earning the internationally recognized CIWM designation.

What is the course syllabus?

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Chapter 1 - Dealing with Special High Net Worth Clients Situations

Topics covered in this chapter are:

  • Identifying a Private Client’s Corporate Banking Needs
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Protecting a Client’s Small Business
  • Tax Planning for Small Businesses
  • International Taxation for Canadian Residents
  • Financial Planning for Snowbirds
  • Executive Compensation

Chapter 2 - Estate Planning for High Net Worth Clients

Topics covered in this chapter are:

  • Wealth Transfer and the Family
  • Creating Client Awareness of Wealth Transfer Issues
  • Preparing Clients for the Inevitable
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Trusts as an Estate Planning Tool
  • Planned Charitable Giving for Estate Planning Purposes
  • Tax Planning for Wealth Transfer

Chapter 3 - Investment Strategies for High Net Worth Clients

Topics covered in this chapter are:

  • Exempt Securities Market
  • Alternative Assets and Private Equity
  • Alternative Strategies: Hedge Funds and Liquid Alts
  • Impediments to Wealth Accumulation
  • Managing Your Clients’ Investment Risk
  • International Investing
  • Portfolio Solutions

Chapter 4 - Practice Management in High Net Worth Segment

Topics covered in this chapter are:

  • Attracting Clients in the High Net Worth Market
  • Leveraging Professional Relationships
  • Evaluating Client Profitability
  • Life Stages and Transitions
  • Objectives Based Approach to Client Discovery
  • Dealing with Affluent Clients
  • Dealing with Family Dynamics
  • Behavioural Finance

Chapter 5 - Retirement Planning for High Net Worth Clients

Topics covered in this chapter are:

  • Understanding Your Clients’ Retirement
  • Asset Location Strategies
  • Goal-Based Investing
  • Protecting Family’s Wealth
  • Trusts as an Asset Protection and Tax-Minimization Tool
  • Protecting Wealth Against Divorce
  • Longevity of Retirement Portfolios
  • Gifting to Family Members
  • Tax Strategies During Retirement
  • Income Producing Investments

Recognition of Prior Learning

The CIWM learning path (Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program) will recognize prior learning completion of both CSI and external courses and certifications based on the following table. Please review this table prior to registering for courses within the Dealing with High Net Worth Clients Program to see if you have already earned an equivalency:

Course Exempted CSI Course that gives exemption CSI Certificate that gives exemption External certification that gives exemption
Retirement Planning for High Net Worth Clients Advanced Retirement and Estate Planning Strategies Certificate in Retirement Strategy
Advanced Retirement Management Strategies
Investment Strategies for High Net Worth Clients Advanced Investment Strategies Certificate in Advanced Investment Advice Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Investment Management Techniques® CIM or CIM®
Estate Planning for High Net Worth Clients Advanced Retirement and Estate Planning Strategies Certificate in Estate Planning and Trust Strategy Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
Advanced Estate Planning and Trust Strategies Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP)