1. What are the Prerequisites for CWS®?
   • Must have 3+ years experience in the financial services industry
   • Must have significant experience in a client-facing role, or a 4-year degree from an accredited school.
2. How much does the certification program of study cost? $3,200 per person.
3. What does the $3,200 cost include?

   CWS® Program Components

   • Two-day classroom instruction-CWS® I - Sales & Practice Management Skills - materials, tuition, lunch
   • Directed Self Study Guides (11)
   • E-learning
   • Wealth Management Advisor audio series
   • Two-day classroom instruction - CWS® II - Client Interaction Skills - materials, tuition, lunch
   • Mastery Exams (10)
   • Capstone Project
   • Additional resource books:  Critical Concerns of Estate Planners and Concepts for Professionals by Cannon Financial Institute
4. How do I register? Click here to register
5. What if I have taken "Growing Your Business for Wealth Advisors" (GYB I) at a Cannon School or through my firms training and now want to obtain (Opt-in track) the CWS® designation? If you have taken the GYB I course at one of our schools or through your firm within the last 2 years, you can elect to study for the CWS® designation.
   
   The cost for the remaining components will be $2,200. Click here
   
   The Opt-in package includes the following:
   • Directed Self Study Booklets (10)
   • E-learning
   • Wealth Management Advisor audio series
   • Two-day classroom instruction - CWS® II - Client Interactions Skills - includes materials, tuition,  room & board
   • Mastery Exams (10)
   • Capstone Project
   • Additional resource books:  Critical Concerns of Estate Planners and Concepts for Professionals by Cannon Financial Institute
6. How long does it take to complete all of the necessary training? Approximately 6 months – About 4 hours per week is typical. Click here to see CWS® Roadmap
7. What does all of the training entail?
   • 2 day instructor-led class CWS I - Sales and Practice Management Skills
   • Self-directed Study on 13 Wealth Management Issues
     • 10 Study Guides – technical drill down, case studies, and discussion points with clients on each of 13 wealth management issues Click here to view the topics & objectives
     • 2 textbooks for supplemental reading (Concepts for Professionals & Critical Concerns of Estate Planners) (*You can find more information on these materials in our Cannon Store):
     • Wealth Management Advisors Audio Series CD’s(*You can find more information on these materials in our Cannon Store):
     • 10 interactive e-learning lessons (approximately 1 hour each)
     • 4 technical tests – about 80 questions each
   • 2 day instructor-led class CWS II - Client Interaction Skills
     • Cannon interviews - Interviewing Techniques, Presentation Skills  
   • CAPSTONE Project - The final project is all about applying what you have learned. For example, creating your detailed business plan or asking you to map out a plan for how you will surface each of the 13 wealth management issues that are pertinent to a client's specific situation - what will you say to those clients/prospects?
     For more information on the program components, click here for Program Components.
8. How is this different from CFP® and other technically-oriented certifications? This certification was created in response to the overwhelming requests from advisors for training that teaches them how to apply technical knowledge when interacting with clients and potential clients. The course is a "blend" of the key technical concepts and the application of that technical knowledge to work your book, grow your business, and improve your client interaction skills. The CWS® complements other certifications that teach technical.
9. What does the technical information cover? The technical information we provide in this program consists of the salient topics that you must be knowledgeable about and conversant with in order to have effective conversations with your clients and potential clients and which position you to work comprehensively with their entire wealth management issues.
10. What CE Credits have been approved for the training? Click here to see CWS® CE credit grid
11. Who are the instructors that teach the CWS® sessions? Phil Buchanan, David Bell, Clark Brown, Larry Divers. (Click here for more information about our instructors.)

If you have further questions or require more information, please feel free to contact Cindy Hooper by email chooper@cannonfinancial.com or phone 706-389-7647 and she will be happy to assist you.

Back to top