David R. Peters, CPA, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CPCU, CGMA, MST

Founder & Owner, Peters Professional Education | Author & National Instructor

David Peters is the Founder and Owner of Peters Professional Education in Richmond, VA, and a registered Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) with Peters Financial LLC. He brings over 20 years of experience across financial services, including three years in the hedge fund industry and six years in insurance, giving him practitioner-level command of tax, accounting, insurance, and financial planning. 

David served as Compare.com’s first-ever Chief Financial Officer, a role he held for more than three years. He holds four master’s degrees and has built a national teaching career across multiple platforms: a top-rated discussion leader for Surgent, a former instructor for Don Farmer seminars, and a trusted presenter for state CPA societies, national associations, and private firm trainings. That range — across national providers, state societies, and private firms — is part of what sets him apart, and he adapts his delivery to any room without losing the clarity participants consistently point to as his signature strength. 

Participants and program organizers describe David as one of the most engaging technical instructors they work with, someone who breaks down complicated tax law, accounting standards, and financial planning concepts into clear, actionable guidance. David received the AICPA Outstanding Facilitator Award in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and Surgent’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award in 2019 and 2022. He co-authored the Virginia CPA Ethics course in 2018, 2019, and 2020, a requirement for all CPAs licensed in Virginia. Through Peters Professional Education, David is the author and instructor for over 125 CPE courses spanning tax, accounting, finance, insurance, financial planning, ethics, and entrepreneurship. 

Education 

• The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA 
  • Ph.D., Financial Planning & Retirement Income (— All but dissertation) - 2021 
  • M.S. Financial Services - 2014
• Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 
  • M.B.A., Master of Business Administration (Concentration in Investments) — 2011 
• Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA 
  • M.Div. Master of Divinity - 2006 
• University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 
  • M.S., Taxation — 2004 
    
    

Certifications 

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) — Since December 2013 
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) — Since June 2013 
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) — Since June 2013 
• Certified Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) - Since May 2013 
• Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA) - Since July 2012 
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina 
  
  

Activities & Associations 

• Board Member at Leadership Metro Richmond – 2015
• Virginia Commonwealth University Accounting Advisory Council – Current