--- title: Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®) | Characteristics & Credentials description: Do you want to be a wealth strategist? Or are you wondering what precisely a wealth strategist does? Read on to learn more. image: https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Certified_Wealth_Strategist_(CWS)_-_FI.png --- [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo-white.4f6047d4.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo.53b28bee.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) **[Home](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) > [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing) >** Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®) # Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®) ![](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Brooke%20Tomasetti.png) Written by Brooke Tomasetti | Reviewed by [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/subject-matter-experts) Updated on October 1, 2024 Fact Checked Why Trust Carbon Collective? ### Table of Contents ## What Is a Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®)? A certified wealth strategist® (CWS®) has completed specific education and experience requirements and has passed a rigorous certification exam. They are professionals who are qualified to provide services, including investment planning, retirement planning, tax planning, and estate planning. And as the name implies, a CWS® is certified to provide wealth management services to high-net-worth clients. ## **What Are the Characteristics of a Wealth Strategist?** There are several key characteristics that wealth strategists should possess: - Expertise in financial planning for [high-net-worth clients](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/financial-advisor/high-net-worth-individual-hwni/) - Proven experience in personal finance and investment planning - Strong understanding of wealth management and estate planning - Comprehensive knowledge of tax laws and planning strategies - Ability to provide tailored solutions for clients' unique needs ## **CWS Program Requirements and Credentials** A CWS® must finish a program designed for them. [Cannon Financial Institute (CFI)](https://www.cannonfinancial.com/) created the program. [To qualify for the CWS® program](https://www.cannonfinancial.com/whatwedo/designations/cws), one must have three years of proven industry experience and a four-year degree from a university accredited by CFI; or five years of proven industry experience. To become a certified wealth strategist®, an individual must meet the following CWS*®* program requirements: ## **![CWS_Program_Requirements_and_Credentials](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CWS_Program_Requirements_and_Credentials.png?width=1920&name=CWS_Program_Requirements_and_Credentials.png)** ## **Comparable Certifications** Other certifications overlap with CWS®, such as [Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP™)](https://www.cfp.net/), [Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)](https://www.cfainstitute.org/), and [Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)](https://www.cannonfinancial.com/whatwedo/designations/aif). The wealth strategist certification gives professionals the ability to provide comprehensive wealth management services to high-net-worth clients. ![Comparable_Certifications](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Comparable_Certifications.png?width=1920&name=Comparable_Certifications.png) While all these credentials are essential, the wealth strategist certification is the only one that focuses specifically on wealth management for high-net-worth clients. ## **The Bottom Line** A certified wealth strategist® (CWS®) is a professional with the education and experience to provide comprehensive wealth management services to high-net-worth clients. They have completed a program designed for them by the Cannon Financial Institute and must adhere to a strict code of ethics. Other comparable certifications, such as Certified Financial Planner**™** (CFP**™**), Chartered Financial Analyst**®** (CFA**®**), and [Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing/accredited-investment-fiduciary-aif), exist. Still, the wealth strategist certification is the only one that focuses on wealth management for high-net-worth clients. ## **FAQs** ### **1. How much net-worth does a wealth manager need to serve?** There is no specific net-worth requirement to become a wealth strategist. However, the wealth management services are typically geared towards high-net-worth clients, typically those with $1 million or more. ### **2. What kind of examination is required to become certified?** To become a CWS®, you must pass the CWS® exam. The exam is a three-hour video-proctored online examination comprising 150 multiple-choice questions. ### **3. Does it have a continuing education requirement?** Yes, there is a 30-hour continuing education requirement to maintain your CWS® certification every two years. ### Related Topics - [Sustainable 401(k) Plan](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k) - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Retirement Glossary](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/retirement-planning-glossary) - [Best Retirement Plans](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/the-10-best-retirement-plans) - [Wealth Manager Vs Financial Advisor](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/wealth-manager-vs.-financial-advisor) ![Attend Our Next Webinar](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-webinar.12af7b6e.svg) ### Attend Our Next Webinar Join our next Sustainable Investing 101 webinar, get our favorite DIY options, and walk through how we build our portfolios. 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