Brokerage firm Sigma Financial is offering a Wealth Strategist Certification (CWS) to 80 of its high-net-worth financial advisors. The 26-week program, launched this spring, will educate HNW financial advisors via on-site and Web-based training in 13 wealth management topics, including estate planning, charitable giving issues, insurance and executor/trustee issues, said Jerry Rydell, president. The program also focuses on creation and growth of wealth preservation, protection of wealth, and distribution of wealth during life and death. The course was launched to provide better understanding of how to integrate critical financial concepts into everyday client interactions. The Ann Arbor-based firm has partnered with Cannon Financial Institute and the New England College of Finance to offer the certification. This will also give the firm's 500 HNW financial advisors more ways to grow their practice and enhance client services, Rydell said. The program culminates with financial advisors designing their own business plan based on their practice and individual client needs, said Rydell. The New England College of Finance has also partnered with theUniversity of California to offer this certification. Sigma, with approximately $2 billion in assets under management, will offer another CWS certification by the end of the year.