Mike Leavy Achieves the Certified Exit Planning Advisor® Certification

Integris Wealth Management is pleased to announce that Mike Leavy has been awarded the CEPA® certification. In his current role as Chief Investment Officer, Advisor, and Partner, Mike delivers custom investment and financial planning advice to our clients. Additionally, as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer, Mike oversees all investment management provided by the firm.

“We advise business owners with some regularity, so we are thrilled that Mike, as a lifelong learner, obtained the CEPA® certification, which helps formalize our firm’s business exit planning skillset, process, and client offering,” said Kevin Mahoney, Chief Operating Officer, Advisor, and Partner.

About the CEPA® certification

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor® certification is a unique credential that recognizes professional advisors who have earned the skills required to help business owners develop a plan for maximizing the value of their company and transitioning out of their business. Originally developed by the Exit Planning Institute, the CEPA® is the most widely accepted and recognized exit planning program in the world.

CEPA® certificants must have at least 5 years of full-time experience working directly with business owners, undergo a rigorous 5-day executive MBA style educational program, and pass a proctored 3-hour exam. The certification program focuses on three major components of comprehensive exit planning for business owners: Value Growth, Value Protection, and Value Transfer. Certificants also gain education in various topic areas including:

• Value Acceleration Methodology
• Identifying improvements to boost profitability and transferable value
• Reducing risks through documented processes, legal structures, and more
• Implementing a family transfer
• Implementing an employee/management buyout
• Creating a strong legacy enterprise
• Third-party sales and Partial Sales
• Liquidation
• IPOs
• Estate Planning
• Incorporating charitable intent
• Combining the owner’s personal financial objectives with the timing/structure of a future transition

Achieving the certification demonstrates a higher level of training in business exit planning than a traditional financial advisor, knowledge of comprehensive exit planning solutions applicable across various industries including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and more, and the ability to ensure business owners are prepared in the event of an unforeseen event such as disability, divorce, or death.

Once an individual has achieved the CEPA® certification, professionals are additionally required to complete ongoing continuing education requirements to stay well-versed in exit planning related topics and commit to upholding the Exit Planning Institute’s Professional Standards and Code of Ethics.