The Equalified Private Wealth Strategist (EPS) is Equalifi’s most advanced professional designation for private wealth professionals. It develops the ability to advise HNI and UHNI families across the full wealth agenda, from investment strategy and portfolio construction to taxation, cross-border planning, estate and succession, within India’s regulatory and ethical framework.

The EPS curriculum covers the private wealth landscape, client discovery and wealth planning, behavioural finance, regulation, economics and capital markets, equities, fixed income, mutual funds, SIFs and managed portfolios, alternative investments, real estate, portfolio construction, manager selection, performance measurement, risk management, taxation, cross-border planning, credit and liquidity solutions, protection and retirement, estate planning and trusts, business owners and liquidity events, philanthropy, family dynamics, ethics, practice management and WealthTech.

The EPS 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 understand a family’s complete balance sheet, design an integrated wealth strategy, recommend the right investments, structures and protection, and handle the professional and ethical situations that arise when advising wealthy families. The designation is intended for professionals working with private banks, wealth-management firms, multi-family offices, family offices, investment advisory practices and private client teams.

Two awards, one pathway

Candidates may stop after Level 1 and hold the Certificate in Private Wealth Management, or continue to Levels 2 and 3 to earn the EPS designation, which is renewed every three years.

Who should take the EPS?

Relationship managers, private bankers, wealth managers, investment advisers, portfolio managers, mutual fund distributors moving into private wealth, multi-family office professionals, and tax, legal and trust professionals who work alongside wealth advisers.

Important

The Certificate in Private Wealth Management and the EPS designation are educational qualifications awarded by Equalifi. They do not constitute a regulatory licence or authorisation to provide investment, legal or tax advice, manage portfolios or distribute financial products.

Exam details

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

Level 1: MCQ examination

The Level 1 examination assesses understanding of the full EPS curriculum, through knowledge, application and case-based questions. Passing Level 1 earns the Certificate in Private Wealth Management.

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 an integrated wealth plan covering:

• a client discovery summary and family balance sheet,
• an investment policy statement and strategic asset allocation,
• tax and cross-border recommendations,
• a review of credit, liquidity and protection needs, and
• an estate, succession and implementation plan.

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 and the reasoning behind their recommendations, a short client conversation in which a panellist plays a family member, and a professional and ethical scenario typical of private wealth practice. Candidates who pass the viva are awarded the EPS designation.

Assessment structure

Validity and renewal

The Certificate in Private Wealth Management does not expire. The EPS designation is valid for three years from the date of award and is renewed by completing continuing education.

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.