What is a Certified Executor Advisor?

December 2, 2025

At Cadence, we offer our software alongside the expert guidance of Certified Executor Advisors (CEAs). So what is a Certified Executor Advisor and how can they help?

What is a Certified Executor Advisor?

A Certified Executor Advisor is a designation offered by the Canadian Institute of Certified Executor Advisors. It’s gives people a general but practical understanding of the estate transfer process. The training covers multiple modules related to estate settlement process, including financial aspects, property, trusts, benefits, and general executor duties. CEAs complete a final exam, which they need to pass with a minimum of 70%. In addition, they take 15 hours of continuing education each year. This  typically covers executor issues, estate planning, and federal and provincial legislative changes.

What does a Certified Executor Advisor do?

CEAs advise executors through the entire estate settlement process. They cannot act on behalf of the estate executor or administrator, but they can help their clients by offering guidance on a range of topics, including:

  • general executor duties
  • taxation
  • digital assets
  • complex estates
  • trusts
  • benefits & applications
  • common challenges for executors
  • timelines for accomplishing specific tasks

Do Certified Executor Advisors exist in the United States?

No, the United States does not currently have a parallel credential. 

Does Cadence employ Certified Executor Advisors?

We certainly do. Each of the members of our customer success team is a CEA and these professionals are available over email, direct message, and telephone. In fact, each of our co-founders and some members of our Product team are Certified Executor Advisors. We know that estate paperwork is often tricky to understand and that most people won’t be prepared for it until the moment they have to do it. That’s why we ensure our staff knows the key concepts, tasks, and processes needed by executors. With this expertise, we're able to provide the most accurate guidance and the most user-friendly experience.

Why would I use Cadence if I could just hire an Executor Advisor independently?

First, our software offers users the advantage of automation. The first step you’ll take in our website will be to provide details about yourself and the deceased, so that we can generate the tasks that are relevant to your situation. Using automated processes, we’re also able to generate letters and forms, saving you time and energy.

Second, we provide instructions, links, and explanations through our site, so you only need to reach out to a CEA if you get stuck. Instead of paying for an advisor by the hour, you get on-demand access to experts alongside a user-friendly, personalized roadmap - that way, you don’t have to wait around or pay extra to get the answers you need.

Finally, all of our processes and instructions have been implemented by Certified Executor Advisors. Since this expertise is incorporated into our questionnaire, knowledge base, task instructions, forms, and letters, you can be assured that your executor duties will be completed professionally and thoroughly (even if you take the self-guided route).

To speak with one of our experts, feel free to contact us.

Why Cadence Exists: A Founder’s Story

February 9, 2026
When my mom died, I left the funeral home with a checklist. It didn’t feel helpful. It felt crushing. I remember sitting at my kitchen table afterward, crying, staring at a list of things I was suddenly responsible for—forms to fill out, accounts to close, tasks to complete. I searched online for guidance, typed my mom’s date of death into one form after another, and felt the weight of it all pressing down at a moment when I was least able to cope. What struck me most wasn’t just the grief. It was the absence of a clear path forward. Instead of structure or support, I found broken, fragmented systems—and an overwhelming amount of responsibility placed on people in the rawest moments of their lives At the time, I assumed this was just my experience. Discovering a Shared Reality Over the years, that assumption proved wrong. Through volunteering in hospice, talking with families, and working alongside care providers, I began to hear the same story again and again. The confusion. The overwhelm. The feeling of being left alone to navigate a complicated web of tasks after loss. What I experienced wasn’t the exception. It was the norm And that realization stayed with me. A Better Way After Loss The period after a death is one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. Yet it’s also when we ask families to become administrators, coordinators, and decision-makers—often without guidance, clarity, or continuity of care. That didn’t feel right. Cadence exists because that time after loss deserves more structure, more clarity, and more care than it’s been given That belief is the foundation of everything we do. Built for Families, With Funeral Homes We built Cadence for families—but we work hand in hand with funeral homes. Why? Because funeral homes are often the last place families feel truly supported , and at the same time, the first place where responsibility begins Funeral professionals show up for families at an incredibly meaningful moment. Cadence is designed to extend that care beyond the service itself—helping families navigate what comes next with confidence instead of confusion. Doing This Together Cadence is not about replacing human connection. It’s about strengthening it. We’re here to do this work together—with funeral homes, care providers, and families—so no one feels abandoned once the ceremony ends. Supporting families long after the service isn’t an extra. It’s the work. And that’s why I built Cadence. About Rachel Drew, CEO & Founder of Cadence Rachel Drew is the Founder and CEO of Cadence. She founded the company after recognizing a critical gap in support for families following a death. With experience working alongside hospice providers, care teams, and funeral professionals, Rachel leads Cadence with a focus on extending care beyond the service and strengthening the role funeral homes play in supporting families long-term.

Identity Theft Awareness Week: Tips for Lowering the Hidden Risk After a Death

By Cydney Schwartz • January 27, 2026
When someone dies, their identity doesn’t automatically disappear. And for families, that reality can create risks they never expected to manage. In the weeks and months that follow a death, families are juggling grief, paperwork, and a long list of unfamiliar responsibilities. During this time, a person’s identity is often still active across financial institutions, government agencies, and digital platforms, quietly creating an overlooked window of vulnerability. This risk is commonly referred to as deceased identity theft or “ghosting.” While it’s rarely talked about, consumer protection agencies consistently warn that it’s a real and ongoing issue—one that can add unnecessary stress and financial harm to families already navigating loss. This Identity Theft Awareness Week we’re helping families understand the risks after a loss, and how to limit them.
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