Approved IAR CE Courses

This course provides a comprehensive, practical examination of Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) — the SEC's foundational standard of conduct governing broker-dealers and their associated persons when making recommendations to retail customers. Since its compliance date in June 2020, Reg BI has remained a top FINRA examination priority, with persistent deficiencies identified across all four of its core obligations: Care, Disclosure, Conflict of Interest, and Compliance.

Developed in alignment with the SEC's Regulation Best Interest release, FINRA's 2026 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report (Reg BI and Form CRS section), SEC Staff Bulletins on Care Obligations and Conflicts of Interest, and related guidance, this course equips registered representatives, investment adviser representatives (IARs), and compliance professionals with the knowledge to understand what Reg BI requires, how FINRA and the SEC evaluate compliance, and how to apply the standard correctly in daily practice.

This course is distinct from the separately available course Suitability, Reg BI & AI-Based Recommendations, which addresses how AI-generated recommendations interact with these standards. This course focuses on the Reg BI framework comprehensively as a standalone subject, without an AI focus.

Because advisory clients entrust investment advisers and their representatives with their financial
wellbeing, ethics play a pivotal role in the investment advisory industry. These professionals are
counted on to provide guidance and to carefully manage their clients’ investments. This comprehensive
course delves into the intricate world of investment adviser ethics, exploring the principles, regulations,
and standards that govern ethical behavior in the industry. With a focus on client-centricity, fiduciary
duty, conflicts of interest, disclosure requirements, and professional conduct, we will examine
the essential components of ethical practices for investment advisers and their representatives.
Furthermore, this course emphasizes the importance of upholding integrity and trust to foster long-term
relationships with clients and to ensure the overall integrity of the financial services industry.

Ethics & Fiduciary Duty is designed to strengthen investment adviser representatives' understanding of ethical responsibilities and fiduciary obligations in today's regulatory environment. The course is divided into three chapters: Advanced Ethical Decision Making, which explores complex scenarios and frameworks for principled choices, Ethical Business Practice & the SEC Marketing Rule, which examines compliance with promotional standards while maintaining investor trust, and Investment Advisor Integrity, which reinforces the role of honesty, fairness, and professionalism in client relationships. Together, these modules equip participants with practical strategies to navigate ethical dilemmas, uphold fiduciary standards, and foster long-term confidence in the advisory profession.

This comprehensive course provides registered investment advisers (RIAs) with essential knowledge of fiduciary obligations and ethical practices required in the financial services industry. Participants will explore the highest standard of care in equity and law, examining how fiduciary duty ensures investment advisers act in their clients' best interests while maintaining trust and integrity in the financial system.The course covers the legal and ethical foundations of fiduciary duty, practical applications of acting in clients' best interests, prudent investor standards aligned with modern portfolio theory, and suitability requirements specific to RIAs. Participants will also learn to identify, manage, and resolve common conflicts of interest while building ethical decision-making frameworks for their practice.

IRA rollover recommendations are among the most common decisions financial advisors help clients make—and they can also present significant fiduciary and compliance considerations. In this session, securities attorney Michelle Atlas-Quinn will provide an in-depth look at how financial professionals can apply their fiduciary duty when advising clients on whether to remain in an employer plan, roll assets to another employer plan or IRA, or take a distribution.

Michelle will explain the key distinctions between financial advice and financial education, the conflicts of interest that can arise in rollover recommendations, and a practical seven-step Duty of Care process for evaluating a client’s alternatives. Through real-world scenarios and case studies, she’ll explore how advisors should evaluate costs, services, investment options, creditor protection, tax considerations, and client-specific needs—and why cost should be an important factor, but never the only factor.

The session will also examine documentation best practices, compensation-related conflicts, directed rollover requests, and common compliance pitfalls. Advisors will leave with a practical framework for making and documenting rollover recommendations that are client-specific, well-supported, and consistent with their fiduciary responsibilities.

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In today's complex financial landscape, ethical communication is more important than ever for investment advisers. "Mastering Ethical Communication" is a comprehensive course designed to equip financial professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to build trust, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver client-centered advice. This self-study course covers essential topics, including key regulatory frameworks, principles of ethical communication, and practical strategies for clear and transparent client engagement.Throughout the course, you will explore the laws and regulations that govern the financial advisory industry, such as SEC regulations, FINRA rules, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. You will also delve into core ethical principles, including honesty, transparency, and confidentiality, all of which are essential for maintaining client trust and upholding your fiduciary duty. Additionally, you will learn how to effectively communicate complex financial information by using plain language, avoiding misleading statements, properly disclosing risks, and ensuring that your advice is suitable for each client's unique needs and circumstances.By the end of the course, you will be equipped with practical strategies to enhance your communication skills, maintain compliance with ethical standards, and foster stronger, trust-based relationships with your clients. This course is ideal for both new and experienced investment advisers who are committed to ethical excellence and continuous professional development.

This course equips advisors with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks needed to navigate the intricate ethical dilemmas that arise in the profession. Designed to promote ethical excellence, this course explores the principles of fiduciary duty, advanced reasoning techniques, and the nuances of maintaining trust in client relationships. Participants will be presented with real-world scenarios, case studies, and emerging challenges, such as navigating gray areas in regulatory guidance, managing conflicts of interest, and balancing personalized financial planning with fiduciary responsibilities. The course also emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership, organizational culture, and continuous professional growth, providing actionable strategies for fostering a client-first approach and addressing unconscious bias.

This session focuses on ensuring estate plans remain effective over time by addressing real-world challenges such as family dynamics, beneficiary readiness, and administrative complexity. Advisors will learn how to incorporate strong governance, thoughtful trustee selection, and flexible planning tools to create plans that adapt and function in practice—not just on paper.

In today's increasingly complex regulatory and technological landscape, business continuity and succession planning have become essential components of an investment adviser's fiduciary responsibility. These two documents serve as operational guardrails, protecting both clients and advisory firms from disruption, client uncertainty, and reputational harm. This self-study guide was developed to equip financial professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the ethical, regulatory, and practical considerations involved in developing and maintaining effective business continuity and succession strategies.

Since dealing with institutional clients comes with unique responsibilities, this course shows how strong investment governance helps protect both beneficiaries and decision-makers. Readers will learn about the importance of building and maintaining a solid investment policy statement (IPS), clarifying the roles of committee members and those in OCIO/consulting relationships, and documenting decisions in a way that stands up to scrutiny. The course also examines best execution and conflicts of interest in order to highlight how trust, oversight, and accountability work in institutional investing.