Equalified Family Office Strategist (EFO)

The Equalified Family Office Strategist (EFO) is Equalifi’s advanced professional designation for professionals seeking to understand how family offices are structured, governed and operated. It develops the ability to assess family-office needs and contribute to investment oversight, governance, risk management and long-term continuity.

The EFO curriculum covers family-office models, family and investment governance, portfolio oversight, operating structures, risk and controls, legal and tax considerations, succession, next-generation preparedness, technology, philanthropy and legacy.

The EFO assesses practical judgement, not only recall. The designation is earned in three levels: an MCQ examination, an applied project and a viva. Together, these test a candidate’s ability to assess a family’s needs, recommend a suitable family-office structure, design governance and investment oversight frameworks, and respond to the professional and ethical situations that arise when advising families. The designation is intended for professionals working with family offices, UHNW families, wealth-management businesses, family enterprises, investment teams and service providers.

Two awards, one pathway

Award Levels required What it recognises
Certificate in Family Office Level 1: MCQ Examination Structured knowledge of family-office models, governance, portfolio oversight, operations, risk, legal and tax considerations, succession and legacy
Equalified Family Office Strategist (EFO) Levels 1, 2 and 3: MCQ Examination, Project and Viva The ability to apply that knowledge to a family’s real situation, with sound professional and ethical judgement

Candidates may stop after Level 1 and hold the Certificate in Family Office, or continue to Levels 2 and 3 to earn the EFO designation, which is renewed every three years.

Who should take the EFO?

Family-office professionals, wealth advisers, investment and finance specialists, family-business leaders, consultants and other professionals seeking to demonstrate structured knowledge of family-office strategy and the judgement to apply it.

Important

The Certificate in Family Office and the EFO designation are educational qualifications awarded by Equalifi. They do not constitute a regulatory licence or authorisation to provide investment, legal or tax advice.

Exam details

The EFO is assessed in three levels, taken in order.

Level 1: MCQ examination

The Level 1 examination assesses understanding of the core principles and practices of effective family-office strategy, across the full EFO curriculum. Passing Level 1 earns the Certificate in Family Office.

Equalifi offers the Level 1 examination through an external, remote-proctored platform. Once registration and payment are confirmed, candidates receive an exam link by email. Candidates may schedule and take the exam within one year of registration, subject to the platform’s requirements.

Candidates need a reliable internet connection and a computer with a working camera. Please read the technical and exam-day instructions before starting the exam.

Level 2: Project

Candidates who pass Level 1 move on to the project, which is based on a family case study set by Equalifi. Candidates prepare a family-office strategy report covering:

  • an assessment of the family’s needs, objectives and current structure,
  • a recommended family-office model and operating structure,
  • a governance framework, including family and investment governance, and
  • key considerations on risk, succession and long-term continuity.

Equalifi will share the project brief, the submission guidelines and the evaluation criteria.

Level 3: Viva

Candidates who pass the project are invited to a viva with an Equalifi assessment panel. The viva covers the candidate’s project, the reasoning behind their recommendations and their response to a professional and ethical scenario typical of family-office work. Candidates who pass the viva are awarded the EFO designation.

Assessment structure

Level Assessment Award on completion Format Duration No. of Questions Passing Criteria Negative Marking
1 MCQ Examination Certificate in Family Office Online, remote-proctored 2 hours 100 60% 20% per incorrect answer
2 Project — Written submission (family-office strategy report) As per project brief — 60% —
3 Viva Equalified Family Office Strategist (EFO) Oral assessment (online or in person) As scheduled — 60% —

Validity and renewal

The Certificate in Family Office does not expire. The EFO designation is valid for three years from the date of award and is renewed by completing continuing education.

Requirement Details
Continuing education 45 hours every three years, with at least 10 hours in each year
Ethics 3 hours of Equalifi Ethics and Professional Conduct, included in the 45 hours
Core subject At least 21 hours in family office
Annual Declaration of adherence to the Equalifi Code of Professional Conduct, and the annual renewal fee

Ways to earn hours: Equalifi cohorts, summits, masterclasses and webinars (credited automatically); courses and events from recognised institutions; speaking, writing, teaching and serving on Equalifi assessment panels; reading professional research; and passing further Equalifi Certificate exams.

Grace period and reinstatement: If the hours are not complete by the end of the cycle, a 90-day grace period applies. After this, the designation lapses and may not be used. Lapsed holders can reinstate within two years by completing the missing hours plus 15 additional hours; after two years, reinstatement requires a fresh viva.

Candidate audit

Equalifi randomly audits a percentage of applications on a regular basis. Candidates are responsible for providing the requested supporting documentation to verify the education and professional background stated in their registration form. Equalifi does not contact employers or educational institutions to obtain verification documents on a candidate’s behalf.

Candidates selected for audit will be notified by email and will have 10 business days to respond. They must meet the audit requirements before receiving the Certificate in Family Office or the EFO designation.

Failure to comply with the audit, falsification or misrepresentation of information, or any unprofessional conduct will result in denial or cancellation of the registration and/or revocation of the certificate or designation, and all fees will be forfeited. A candidate who does not comply with an audit will also be subject to audit when reapplying in future.

Fee details

Route Fee
Certificate in Family Office (Level 1) INR 3,540
Equalified Family Office Strategist (Levels 1, 2 and 3) INR 17,700

Fees are inclusive of GST. The Level 1 examination fee applies to each attempt.

Access Pass benefits

Fee waiver: Equalifi Chartered, Professional and Virtual Pass holders receive a 50% waiver on the exam fee.

Learn more about the Equalifi Access Pass.

Exam preparation: For stronger exam readiness, candidates are encouraged to join Equalifi’s Family Office Leaders Cohort, its executive education programme. Access Pass holders receive a 10% to 50% fee waiver based on their pass category.

Register for Exam

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