CFA Institute expands its learning portfolio with launch of new Advanced Private Equity Certificate

CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, today launches the Advanced Private Equity Certificate, a new online certificate designed to build upon the existing Private Equity Certificate and equip private equity professionals with advanced skills in investment management and partnership governance.

Building on the specialized Private Equity Certificate, the Advanced Private Equity Certificate introduces more complex areas such as due diligence, advanced financial modeling, private debt valuation, and strategic communication. This advanced-level certificate has been developed in partnership with industry experts and incorporates practical assignments, including financial modeling exercises from leading training providers, Financial Edge, ensuring participants gain relevant and timely skills.

The certificate is available to individuals who have completed the Private Equity Certificate and who wish to deepen their expertise. Professionals with experience in adjacent fields, such as investment banking, who seek to transition into private equity or refine their skills would benefit from the certificate. Fully online and self-paced, the certificate allows learners to balance their professional responsibilities while advancing their expertise in private equity.

Richard Fernand, CFA, Senior Head, Learning Content and Innovation at CFA Institute, comments:

“As private equity continues to be an integral element of many institutional portfolios, the new Advanced Private Equity Certificate offers a comprehensive and practical learning experience tailored for investment professionals who want to specialize in advanced private equity practices. This certificate provides actionable learning into the intricate dynamics of private equity, ensuring that participants can directly apply what they learn to their professional roles. This certificate represents another step forward in our mission to support the development of the financial profession’s brightest talent.”

The certificate includes four in-depth courses, requiring a total of approximately 100 hours to complete, with a variety of practical assessments and activities. Participants will gain hands-on experience in advanced financial modeling, strategic evaluation, and operational management—skills essential for navigating the complexities of today’s private equity landscape.

The courses cover:

• General Partner Toolkit: Covers due diligence, deal sourcing, evaluation, execution, and strategies for operational and financial management, as well as strategic communication and crisis management.
• Advanced Private Debt Valuation Techniques: Focuses on credit analysis, valuation of private debt with embedded options, and distressed private debt assessment.
• Advanced Financial Modeling: Equips learners with advanced scenario analysis, acquisition finance, and complex leveraged buyout (LBO) modeling.
• Limited Partner Perspectives: Includes evaluating general partners, integrating sustainability factors, and advanced strategies for portfolio construction, risk management, and liquidity management.

The new Certificate is priced at $890 for non-members and $712 for CFA Institute members. Learners will receive a certificate badge upon completion, demonstrating their dedication to advancing their knowledge and skills in private equity.

Registrations for the new certificate are now open, offering a pathway for professionals to enhance their expertise and advance their careers in private equity. Certificate content will be available to access from 19 August 2025.

For more details, visit the Advanced Private Equity Certificate page.