What is the Certified Estate and Trust Specialist?

The Certified Estate and Trust Specialist is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Soft Skills & Personal Dev..

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 10 Week and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@leadership.co.ke, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Estate and Trust Specialist (CETS) | Online Certification

Executive Summary

Certified Estate and Trust Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Estate and Trust Specialist (CETS) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness.

This 10 Week programme is structured around SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CETS holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Estate and Trust Specialist

Acronym

CETS

Who Should Enrol?

Reading Financial Statements — applied to your own work
Budgeting and Variance — applied to your own work
Internal Control and Fraud — applied to your own work
Investment and Cost of Capital — applied to your own work
Regulation and Compliance — applied to your own work
Profit, Cash and the Gap Between — applied to your own work

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards CHRO and senior people-management roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex human resource management functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement human resource management systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to human resource management

Global Employability

Qualify for human resource management roles across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Talent Acquisition, Resourcing and Onboarding

✦Learning, Development and Talent Management

✦Performance, Reward and Employee Relations

✦HR Strategy, Analytics and Workforce Planning

✦Employment Law, Compliance and HR Governance

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

Click any module to explore the detailed curriculum topics included in this certification.

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified Estate and Trust Specialist

Certified Estate and Trust Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards
The banking system, intermediation and financial markets
Types of banks and financial institutions
Banking products, services and delivery channels
The regulatory landscape and central banking
Roles, conduct and professional standards in banking
The bank balance sheet and how banks make money
Financial inclusion and the evolving customer
Ethics and integrity in banking
Digital disruption and the future of banking
Career pathways and professional development

Reading Financial Statements

Reading financial statements as a manager
Accrual accounting and the profit-cash gap
Audit evidence, sampling and professional scepticism
Credit assessment and the five Cs
Tax compliance and the tax risk agenda
Applying reporting standards and accounting judgement
Digital finance, mobile money and payment operations
Insurance, risk transfer and retained risk
The finance function, month-end close and reporting cycle
SME and relationship lending in practice
Analytical techniques and bias
Preparing financial statements
Financial reporting frameworks (IFRS/GAAP)
Interpreting financial statements
Integrated and sustainability reporting

Budgeting and Variance

Budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
Accrual accounting and the profit-cash gap
Investment appraisal and the cost of capital
Management accounts and dashboards
Budget vs actual and variance
Cost and profitability analysis
Forecasting and planning
Data visualisation for finance
Decision support and insight
Communicating financial results
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
Attachment and developmental theory
Professional roles, boundaries and settings
Ethical principles and codes of practice
Managing boundaries and dual relationships

Internal Control and Fraud

Internal control and the fraud triangle
Audit evidence, sampling and professional scepticism
AML, KYC and financial crime prevention
The finance operating model and business partnering
Corporate objectives and shareholder value
Building a finance career and professional development
Financial strategy and capital allocation
Peer support and consultation
Financial risk: credit, market, liquidity, operational
Corporate governance and the finance role
Board reporting and investor relations
Business partnering with the enterprise
Mergers, funding and growth strategy
Crisis, resilience and contingency planning
Stakeholder mapping for the finance function

Investment and Cost of Capital

Investment appraisal and the cost of capital
Treasury, liquidity and currency exposure
Budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
Managing resistance and upskilling teams
Data-driven and real-time finance
Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Innovation and fintech partnerships
Measuring transformation impact
Professional ethics and codes (IFAC, ACCA, CIMA)
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice
Confidentiality and conflicts of interest
Record-keeping and data protection
Sustainability and responsible finance
Regulatory compliance and professional duty
Data ethics and privacy in finance

Regulation and Compliance

Financial regulation and prudential supervision
AML, KYC and financial crime prevention
Expected credit loss and portfolio quality
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
Valuation methods and business valuation
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
Risk, return and portfolio theory
Working capital management and the cash cycle
Cash flow forecasting and liquidity management
Receivables, payables and inventory management
Client feedback and satisfaction
Short-term financing and money markets
Foreign exchange and currency risk
Interest-rate risk and hedging
Evidence-based improvement

Profit, Cash and the Gap Between

Accrual accounting and the profit-cash gap
Reading financial statements as a manager
Treasury, liquidity and currency exposure
Cash and liquidity management
Working capital optimisation
Short-term funding and money markets
Lessons learned and development
Driving effective, ethical outcomes
Cash forecasting and positioning
Designing and facilitating groups
Treasury technology and systems
Risk, return and diversification
Psychoeducation and workshops
Working with organisations on wellbeing
Valuation and security analysis

Legal and Regulatory

Regulatory reporting and disclosure
Payment regulation and oversight
Regulatory and compliance requirements
Designing an intervention or programme
Regulatory compliance in operations
Regulatory capital for credit
Recovery and legal remedies
Regulatory capital and ratios
Managing audit and regulator relationships
Statutory compliance and filings
Contractor safety management
Legal duties and compliance
Policy, institutions and the enabling environment for agriculture
Advocacy and policy engagement
Regulatory compliance and biosafety

Data and Reporting

Cybersecurity and financial data protection
Audit evidence, sampling and testing
Governance of controls and reporting
Financial modelling and forecasting discipline
Card and data security (PCI DSS)
Tax provisioning and reporting
Professional case study and presentation
Evidence-based practice
Goal setting and contracting
Treatment planning and review
Managing complexity and comorbidity
Working papers and evidence
Findings, rating and reporting
Audit committee reporting
Substantive and analytical procedures

Analysis and Decisions

Cost-to-serve and value-for-money analysis
Capstone scoping: a real financial problem or decision
Risk assessment and sensitivity analysis
Recommendations and decision support
Trend, common-size and comparative analysis
Pricing, contribution and product decisions
Make-or-buy and outsourcing decisions
Investment and disinvestment decisions
Costing methods and relevant cost for decisions
Workplace and organisational contexts
Goal setting and action planning
Ratio and trend analysis
Prioritising experience investments
Customer and journey analysis
Cost, feasibility and impact analysis

Operations and Process

Quality, accuracy and error reduction
Reporting quality and earnings management risks
Transaction lifecycle and processing
Accountability and follow-through
Cheque clearing and processing
Back-office processing and controls
Process improvement and automation
Service levels and quality
Approval processes and delegation
Advisory and non-financial services
Digital financial services
Process efficiency and cycle-time metrics
Portfolio quality and risk
Finance transformation and target operating models
Process re-engineering and shared services

Leadership and Management

Financial risk management and derivatives
Payment risk types and management
Tax risk management
Wellbeing and resilience coaching
Measuring coaching outcomes
Operational risk management
Financial risk types and management
SME portfolio management
Team leadership within finance
Change management in finance
Teller operations, cash handling and vault management
Delegating for development
Quality management and standards
Category management and strategy development
Data quality and master data management

People and Development

Appraisal of development projects
Development banking principles
Virtual and distributed teams
Team leadership and motivation
Leading project teams
Team development and effectiveness
Coaching and developing team members
Managing virtual and cross-cultural teams
Building high-performing project teams
Sales enablement and coaching
Team leadership in sales and marketing
High-performance team rituals and cadence
Creating a coaching culture
Managing resistance and capability building
Supplier development and improvement

Communication

Presenting financial information clearly
Investor relations and market communication
Voice, communication and delivery
Safety communication and campaigns
Communicating risk to the workforce
Toolbox talks and safety communication
Communicating vision and telling stories
Executive communication and presence
Cross-cultural communication
The media and telecommunications landscape
Strengths, flow and engagement
Crisis communications
Stakeholder communications
Ethics in communications
Communications strategy and planning

Stakeholders and Clients

Negotiation with banks, investors and suppliers
Business partnering and influencing
Relationship management and cross-selling
Wealth, SME and corporate relationships
Stakeholder mapping and engagement
Stakeholders and users of financial information
Stakeholders, agency and accountability
Trends: ESG, transparency and stakeholder capitalism
Shareholder and stakeholder rights
Employment relationship and the psychological contract
Influencing and safety leadership
Stakeholder identification and analysis
Stakeholder engagement strategy
Managing expectations and influence
Negotiation and conflict management

Markets and Customers

Fees, pricing and interchange
Transfer pricing basics
Transfer pricing documentation
Loan structuring and pricing
Market risk and VaR
Transfer pricing and international tax
Customer journey and experience design
Funds transfer pricing
Brand and corporate reputation
Supply market analysis
Product safety and standards
Market systems and price discovery
Market linkages and aggregation
Demand analysis and market intelligence
Branding and product differentiation

Technology and Systems

Automation, RPA and the digital close
Cloud finance and system integration
Payment innovation and fintech
Digital currencies and CBDCs
Emerging payment technologies
Digital tax administration
Meaning, purpose and values
Reporting automation
Digital and internet banking
Digital finance and automation roadmaps
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and finance systems
Digital marketing strategy
Email and marketing automation
Marketing technology stack
CRM and marketing automation platforms

Strategic Context

Hedging strategies and instruments
Outcome and process measures
Collections strategy
Investment strategy and allocation
Content strategy across platforms
Business case and strategic alignment
Strategic alignment of investments
Competitive analysis and differentiation
Product and portfolio strategy
Go-to-market and channel strategy
Brand and reputation as strategic assets
Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting
Reward strategy and total reward frameworks
Wellbeing and holistic health strategy
Vision, mission and strategic intent

Projects and Delivery

Audit programmes and fieldwork
Planning and understanding the entity
Project finance structures
Leading finance projects and change
Forecasting and planning (FP&A)
Tax planning, avoidance and evasion distinguished
Tax planning vs avoidance vs evasion
Project data, reporting and analytics
Automation in project delivery
AI and predictive project analytics
Emerging project technologies
Project roles and the project manager
Project governance and assurance
Project governance frameworks
Compliance and regulatory projects

Performance Measurement

Data, records and confidentiality tech
Practice management systems
KPIs and performance reporting
Performance measurement and attribution
Finance KPIs and the finance scorecard
Interpreting financial performance
Performance and SLAs
Ethics of technology in practice
Leading and lagging metrics
Policy, planning and objectives
Managing team performance and dynamics
Psychometric and screening tools
Project KPIs and performance metrics
Quality and delivery metrics
Managing schedule and budget performance

Procurement and Suppliers

Payables, procurement controls and supplier fraud
Value-chain and supply-chain finance
Digital procurement and the future of the profession
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Fair trade and responsible supply
Procurement and asset management under donor rules
Vendor, venue and supplier contracting for events
Water supply systems: sources, treatment and distribution
Emerging tools and innovation
Working with referrers and multidisciplinary teams
Procurement and stock management for health commodities
Procurement’s contribution to organisational strategy
Public versus private procurement
Supply markets and the enabling environment
Conflicts of interest and procurement ethics

Ethics and Conduct

Ethics, transparency and reputation
Ethics and suitability
Ethics and transparency in tax
Ethics in tax practice
Communicating with families and carers
Roles, standards and professional conduct
Professional ethics in customer service
Responsible and ethical service
Professional ethics and banking conduct
Treating customers fairly and market conduct
Integrity, confidentiality and conflicts
Professional roles, ethics and standards for agricultural practitioners
Professional writing and reports
Anti-corruption and financial-crime ethics
Data ethics and customer privacy

People Administration

Workforce management and scheduling
Workforce planning and scheduling
Employee experience and engagement
Customer and employee satisfaction
Employee engagement models and drivers
The employee lifecycle and HR value chain
Workforce and shift management in retail
Employee voice, surveys and action planning
Employee and manager self-service
Workforce reporting and storytelling with data
Cost of workforce and ROI of HR interventions
Workforce planning and the capability gap
Employee relations, discipline and fair process
Employee engagement and what actually drives it

International and Currency

International and cross-border tax
Key global frameworks: FAO, GlobalG.A.P., SDGs and national strategies
Agribusiness marketing, branding and export readiness
Export readiness and standards
Credit risk governance
Psychoeducation and public communication
Managing tax risk and audits
Governance of operations
Credit risk measurement
Risk registers and monitoring
Managing difficult conversations

Change

Foreign exchange and hedging
Change management and adoption
The finance function and digital transformation
Regulatory change management
Building trust and engagement
Leading groups and workshops
Digital transformation and IT strategy
Variations, claims and delay: managing change on site
Change talk and readiness
Habit change and behaviour design
Change control and configuration
Sales and marketing transformation
Measuring growth and transformation impact
Soil chemistry, pH and cation exchange capacity
Behaviour change and adoption of innovations

Sustainability and ESG

Sustainability of microfinance
Monitoring, evaluation and sustainability plan
Sustainability certification and standards
Responsible and sustainable banking
Sustainable and green banking
Control environment and risk assessment
Emerging assurance areas (ESG)
Sustainability, ESG and integrated value
Collaboration and teamwork
The regulatory and legal environment
Responsible and sustainable governance
ESG principles and frameworks
Sustainability strategy and materiality
Environmental governance and climate risk
Governance of ESG and reporting

Learning and Research

Training and capability building
Training needs analysis
Cognitive load and learning science
The learning and development profession
Learning strategy and business alignment
Learning cultures and the learning organisation
Blended and hybrid learning design
Motivation and self-directed learning
Training needs analysis and learning strategy
Knowledge management and capability building
Learning technologies and the LMS
Evidence-based practice and research literacy
Lessons learned and knowledge management
Market research design and methods
Qualitative and quantitative research

Financial Practice

Data analytics and predictive finance
Reconciliations and the financial close
Corporate income tax and computations
Financial inclusion and serving underbanked markets
Tax administration and compliance
Corporate income tax computation
Tax compliance and returns
Managing tax audits and queries
Keeping current with tax change
Trade finance and letters of credit
Concessional and blended finance
Business intelligence and finance dashboards
Infrastructure and PPP finance
Sector-focused SME finance
Microfinance models and methodologies

Banking and Financial Services

Credit bureaus and data
Credit and counterparty risk
Investment of surplus funds
Writing advisory reports that drive decisions
Consumer, SME and corporate credit
Stress testing credit portfolios
Financial inclusion and agency banking
Digital credit and alternative data
Investment principles and objectives
Alternative investments
Return on investment and impact
Team leadership in banking operations
Data-driven and personalised banking
Corporate governance in banks
Banking KPIs and branch scorecards

Risk and Control

Fraud risk, prevention and detection
Projects, programmes and portfolios
Reporting quality and governance
Duty of care and risk management
Managing risk and difficult cases
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations
Risk assessment and safety planning
Health, safety and compliance in delivery
Project budgeting and financial control
Financial risk in projects
Monitoring, control and reporting
Enterprise risk management in banks
Credit risk measurement and mitigation
Liquidity risk and asset-liability management
Operational risk and resilience

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Reading Financial Statements — applied to your own work
Budgeting and Variance — applied to your own work
Internal Control and Fraud — applied to your own work
Investment and Cost of Capital — applied to your own work
Regulation and Compliance — applied to your own work
Profit, Cash and the Gap Between — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

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Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CETS certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the CETS?

This certification is ideal for HR Managers and Directors, HR Business Partners, Learning and Development Managers and Employee Relations and OD Specialists, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CETS certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 10 Week and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CETS internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the CETS certification?

The Certified Estate and Trust Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CETS certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CETS?

The Certified Estate and Trust Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CETS?

The Certified Estate and Trust Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CETS while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CETS?

Graduates progress towards CHRO and senior people-management roles. The CETS strengthens your expertise in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness and positions you for advancement across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations.

Certified Estate and Trust Specialist

Certified Estate and Trust Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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