The Certified Professional Executive Secretary (CPES) certification is a comprehensive, career-defining program specifically designed for administrative professionals who are ready to elevate their role from operational support to strategic partnership at the highest levels of modern organizations. This certification equips experienced executive secretaries, personal assistants, executive assistants, and senior administrative professionals with the advanced knowledge, sophisticated practical skills and mature professional mind-set required to deliver exceptional, proactive, and discreet support to C-level executives, managing directors, board members, and senior leadership teams — in fast-moving, high-stakes, often international, hybrid or remote environments. In addition, it deliberately and systematically transforms participants from traditional task- based assistants (focused primarily on executing instructions, managing diaries, arranging travel, and handling correspondence) into trusted strategic partners who consistently operate at a higher level of impact.

• Deliver proactive, high-quality, and confidential executive support

• Manage complex executive schedules, priorities, and communications with precision

• Organize meetings, events, and international travel at the highest professional standard

• Produce polished business documents, presentations, and reports under time pressure

• Utilize modern digital tools and office technology to increase efficiency and security

• Demonstrate exceptional professionalism, discretion, and ethical judgment

• Anticipate executive needs and act as a strategic partner rather than only a task executor

• Support business projects and office-wide process improvements

• Build strong working relationships across all organizational levels and with external stakeholders

• Executive Secretaries

• Executive Personal Secretaries

• Personal Secretaries

• Executive Assistants

• Personal Assistants

• Office Managers

• Administration Managers

• Management Secretaries

• Senior Assistants

• Office Coordinators / Administrators supporting senior management

Professionals who wish to transition into higher-level executive support or office management roles

GAFM - Global Academy of Finance and Management

The GAFM was founded in 1996 by the original founders of the Graduate Leadership Society. The Founders of our Standards Board are CEOs, Executives, Professors, and industry experts from around the globe. We desire to raise education standards and ethics in the business and management industries. The Standards Policy Board awards specialized board certifications, designations, and charters in the fields of: finance, accounting, management, and consulting fields to qualified professionals who have completed internationally recognized or accredited exams & education, government recognized degrees and documented management credentials and experience. Since 1996, the Academy has been promoting accredited graduate standards for certification in business, management, law, and finance. Since the inception with the founding of the Graduate Institute of Leadership in 1996, the Academy has been focused on quality assurance with accredited education, exams, assessment, education, ethics, and continuing education. Further, applicants must also have the necessary experience in practice, research or publications in their respective areas of expertise.