STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising the Family Business

This course provides practical knowledge about what differentiates family businesses from other types of clients and introduces theories and frameworks that are needed to better understand family business dynamics.

This Advanced Certificate can be taken as part of the STEP Diploma.

Course details

This course provides practitioners with the practical knowledge about what differentiates family businesses from other types of clients and introduces theories and frameworks that are needed to better understand and support family business dynamics.

Gain in-depth expertise: Improve your understanding of the common concerns, transitions, and difficulties within a family business to better understand family business dynamics and enhance your ability to support and advise family businesses.
Practical focus: Practical advice and guidance written by practitioners, for practitioners.
A global perspective: Suitable for all professions, globally and culturally, to ensure different specialisms can collaborate to better serve their family business clients. It will also provide access to a wider business and professional community of practice, helping you identify business opportunities in emerging markets and increasing your credibility with prospective clients.
Build valuable connections: Network with like-minded professionals in varied roles and firms from all over the world.
Industry recognition: Successful completion provides 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership, enhancing your professional standing, and is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, a Faculty of the University of Manchester.

Download course brochure

This is one of two Advanced Certificates in our Family Business Suite.

For students wishing to enrol onto both the STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising the Family Business and STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Governance, a discounted package fee is available when purchasing both together for £2,000.00 + UK VAT if applicable (or STEP Full member discounted rate of £1,935.00 + UK VAT if applicable).

View the course timetable - 2025 Dates

Course dates, fees and enrol now:

Entry requirements may apply. Applicable local taxes and discounts will be added to your basket on checkout.

Entry requirements

60 Entry Level credits which can be achieved through:

Completion of a STEP Certificate (30 credits)
Previous learning - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) application - 30 credits
Work experience - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) - 30 credits

Note: You do not need to apply for APEL or APCL if you already have confirmed, or if you have studied for at least two STEP Certificates previously.

Apply for APCL or APEL

This Advanced Certificate can be taken as part of the STEP Diploma - Set 3

Find out more about The STEP Diploma

Become a member of STEP

This is a STEP course/qualification. STEP membership is required to study this course and must be maintained throughout the duration of your studies.

You will need 60 Entry Level credits and if you are not already, you will become an Affiliate member by enrolling on this course. STEP will contact you regarding membership 4-6 weeks after course enrolment.

Successful completion of the course will provide 30 Diploma Level credits as part of the STEP Qualification and Membership framework.

Find out more about STEP Membership

What will I learn?

Download Syllabus

The main theories that are now shaping family business knowledge and practice
The complexities of working with family businesses
The importance of getting to know the family
Family business dynamics, governance issues and sources of conflict
Ways to help family businesses through change
What competence as a family business adviser looks like

Is this course right for me?

This course is designed for all professionals working with a family business looking to expand in their profession and carry out their role more effectively.

Students of this course typically include:

lawyers/solicitors/attorneys
accountants
financial planners
trust managers (senior)
wealth managers
tax advisers
compliance officers/managers
bankers
family office executives

Course format

This course is available for study twice a year. The programme is delivered online and will take four months to complete. We recommend that you spend four to six hours per week on private study for the four months prior to the assessment.

Enrolment onto this course will include the following:

interactive e-learning modules comprising a combination of text, videos, podcasts, animations and interactive activities
printable versions of the modules and downloadable resources for students to keep following completion of the course
self-assessment questions and summative tasks for each module
assessment fees

Course dates

Download the course timetable