Become a Certified Business Advisor
Choose from two recognised business advisory pathways: CPBA certification or the 11408NAT Diploma of Business Advisory.
The Institute of Advisors is a leading global certification body for business advisors, consultants and accountants, with graduates and members in more than 10 countries around the world.
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the Institute of Advisors helps professionals develop the skills, tools and credibility to work more effectively with business owners and SME clients.
Choose your pathway
CPBA
Practical industry-recognised certification for busy professionals.
Diploma
A deeper nationally recognised qualification pathway.
Select the pathway that best suits your goals, timeframe and preferred depth of study.
Choose your business advisory pathway
You can choose from two main pathways depending on whether you want a faster professional certification pathway or a more comprehensive nationally recognised qualification.
Pathway 1
Certified Professional Business Advisor — CPBA
Practical certification for busy professionals who want credibility, tools and impact.
The CPBA credential is designed for professionals who want a practical, focused and efficient pathway into business advisory and consulting.
This pathway is ideal if you want to develop your advisory capability, access practical tools and frameworks, and build credibility with clients without committing to a longer qualification pathway.
Typical completion time: approximately 3 to 4 months.
CPBA may be right for you if you:
- want the quickest pathway to business advisory certification
- are a busy accountant, bookkeeper, consultant or professional
- want practical advisory tools and templates
- want to improve client discovery and advisory conversations
- want a credential that supports credibility and positioning
- are based in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK or other international markets
Pathway 2
11408NAT Diploma of Business Advisory
A nationally recognised qualification for professionals who want a deeper and more comprehensive pathway.
The 11408NAT Diploma of Business Advisory is a nationally recognised qualification delivered by Institute of Advisors Pty Ltd, RTO 91675.
The Diploma is designed for professionals who want a more detailed and comprehensive pathway into business advisory. It provides broader coverage of advisory capability, client engagement, strategy, implementation, emotional intelligence, operational improvement and professional practice development.
Typical completion time: approximately 8 to 18 months.
The Diploma may be right for you if you:
- want a nationally recognised qualification
- want a deeper and more comprehensive learning pathway
- want to build broad business advisory capability
- prefer structured learning over a longer period
- are in a region where Australian nationally recognised training carries strong credibility
- want to complete the CPBA as part of a broader Diploma pathway
The global certification course for advisors, consultants & accountants has graduates in over 10 countries around the world
The Institute of Advisors® runs certification courses for business advisors and business consultants with graduates in over 10 countries around the world.
The Institute is a leading global educational body with headquarters based in Sydney, Australia. The Institute membership includes business consulting and accountancy firms, bookkeepers, former business owners and managers, wealth planners, business coaches and legal firms from around the world.
The Institute was founded in 2009 with the aim of raising the standards in business advisory services.
Australian Government registered training organisation: The Institute of Advisors® is a registered training organisation with the Australian Government, RTO 91675. The Institute owns the copyright to the 11408NAT Diploma of Business Advisory. The Institute offers the Certified Professional Business Advisor credential as an industry-recognised certification pathway and the 11408NAT Diploma of Business Advisory as a nationally recognised qualification.
The Diploma pathway is completed in three stages
The Diploma pathway includes the CPBA program, the Exit Assessment Session Program and additional Diploma modules that build broader business advisory capability.
Stage 1
CPBA Program
The first stage of the Diploma pathway includes the Certified Professional Business Advisor program. This gives participants a practical foundation in business advisory, client discovery, advisory frameworks and professional advisory capability.
Stage 2
Exit Assessment Session Program
The second stage develops capability in areas such as business value improvement, succession thinking, exit readiness and helping business owners prepare for future transition or exit events.
Stage 3
Diploma Wrapper & Advanced Modules
The third stage includes broader Diploma components and additional modules covering areas such as emotional intelligence, operational improvement, advisory practice and client engagement.
Which pathway should I choose?
If you are a busy accountant, bookkeeper, consultant or professional and want the quickest practical pathway to credibility, tools and business advisory capability, the CPBA is usually the best starting point.
If you want a more detailed learning experience and the additional credibility of a nationally recognised qualification, the Diploma of Business Advisory may be the better pathway.
Many professionals start with the CPBA because it gives them practical tools and certification within a shorter timeframe. Others choose the Diploma because they want to go deeper and complete a more comprehensive qualification.
Choose CPBA if you want:
- the quickest certification pathway
- practical tools and immediate application
- a focused professional credential
- a pathway suited to busy accountants, bookkeepers and consultants
- a credential that can be used in Australia and international markets
Choose the Diploma if you want:
- a nationally recognised qualification
- deeper and more comprehensive training
- a longer structured learning pathway
- broader business advisory capability
- to complete CPBA as part of a larger qualification pathway
Ready to choose your pathway?
Whether you want a practical certification pathway or a more comprehensive nationally recognised qualification, the Institute of Advisors can help you develop the skills, tools and credibility to work more effectively with business clients.