As an experienced practitioner and highly-rated speaker, David is deeply familiar with the day-to-day challenges financial professionals face.

David R. Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA

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

David Peters is the Founder and Owner of Peters Professional Education in Richmond, VA. He is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) with Peters Financial LLC. He brings over 20 years of experience in financial services, including three years in the hedge fund industry and six years in insurance.

David was the first Chief Financial Officer of Compare.com, where he served for more than three years. He holds four master’s degrees, contributes frequently to professional publications, and is a nationally recognized CPE instructor and discussion leader for Surgent seminars and a former instructor for Don Farmer.

David received the AICPA Outstanding Facilitator Award in 2021, 2023, and 2024 as well as Surgent's Outstanding Discussion Leader awards in 2019 and 2022. He also co-authored the Virginia CPA Ethics course in 2018, 2019, and 2020, which is a requirement for all CPAs licensed in Virginia.

Through Peters Professional Education, David is the author and instructor for over 125 recorded on-demand CPE courses and leads private trainings, in-person tax seminars, and quarterly live tax update webinars. His areas of instruction include accounting, finance, insurance, financial planning, and ethics, and he regularly teaches professionals across the United States.

Education

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

Certifications

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) - Since December 2013
Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) - Since June 2013
Certified 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

Our Awards

2021, 2023, 2024 AICPA Outstanding Facilitator Award

2020 Five Next Generations Financial Services Professionals to Watch

2021, 2022 Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award

What our course participants are saying

David is incredibly knowledgeable and a gifted speaker. He has a way of keeping things interesting and his CPE courses always seem to fly by quickly (this is a somewhat difficult thing to do with a CPE course so it's one of the biggest compliments one can possibly give a speaker).

SCACPA Course Participant

David Peters does an excellent job with all of his seminars...I did not feel I was prepared for the upcoming tax season. He packed a lot in the four hours he had and I feel better about this tax season after today.

2024 SCACPA Federal Tax Update Session Attendee

David Peters is a great instructor. He breaks things down better than anybody else I have ever watched. His course has been very helpful in my practice.

Andrew P. Dragotto, CPA, P.C.

Dave Peters is excellent - making ethics very interesting and clearly relevant.

MACPA Beach Retreat Session Attendee

David Peters is a great speaker with abundant knowledge to share. I look forward to learning more from him!

SCACPA Course Participant

Best ethics class I have ever had.

MACPA Beach Retreat Session Attendee

Excellent teacher/speaker. This is my 3rd class conference with David. I have learned something and confirmed more things from all the sessions. Invite him back next year.

MNCPA Management and Business Advisers Conference Session Attendee

Dave is good at reading the audience and encouraging/fostering interactive conversation.

MACPA Beach Retreat Attendee

My opinion is that David Peters is one of the best instructors I have had over the years. He was engaging, knew the topics, and had relevant information to share with us.

ISCPA Fall CPE Conference Session Attendee

David is probably the best speaker we have the opportunity to listen to.

SCACPA CPE Event Attendee

A dynamic and practical approach to continuing education.

Using practical examples and expert insights you won’t find anywhere else, you'll walk away with more than just credits - you'll gain practical and immediately applicable knowledge.

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