Approved IAR CE Courses

This course introduces Environmental, Social, and Governance "ESG" factors as a topic area forthe financial services industry. While the term ESG has been used by investors and lenders asthey do their analysis before making investment decisions, it has taken on a broader meaning. Tomany, the term ESG now represents the ways in which businesses and those who invest in them are thinking about the longer-term sustainability of their firms, industries, and capitalism itself. Thiscourse explores these themes, provides learners with a basic understanding of core ESG concepts,and discusses ongoing debates in the field.

There is a widespread misconception that 'estate planning' is of importance only to the wealthy. This is due, in part, to the emphasis of the financial service industry on planning for estate taxes, which only concern larger estate owners. The truth of the matter is, every person, young or old, who has a family or owns property, needs an estate plan. A good estate plan will allow a person to reach desired economic, legal, and personal objectives. Estate Planning is an educational tool to help financial advisors through the maze of programs, rules and regulations that affect many if not all their clients, their spouses, and dependents.

There is a widespread misconception that 'estate planning' is of importance only to the wealthy. This is due, in part, to the emphasis of the financial service industry on planning for estate taxes, which only concern larger estate owners. The truth of the matter is, every person, young or old, who has a family or owns property, needs an estate plan. A good estate plan will allow a person to reach desired economic, legal, and personal objectives. Estate Planning is an educational tool to help financial advisors through the maze of programs, rules and regulations that affect many if not all their clients, their spouses, and dependents. This course is also designed for financial and insurance professionals to deepen their understanding of ethical practices in the insurance industry.

This course will provide financial advisors with a comprehensive review of estate planning strategies in both low and high interest rate environments, focusing on how fluctuating Applicable Federal Rates (AFR) and Section 7520 rates shape planning opportunities. Specifically, the course will examine the advantages and limitations of techniques such as Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), sales to Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs), Charitable Lead Annuity Trusts (CLATs), Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs), and Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs). Advisors will learn how interest rate assumptions impact valuation, freeze and arbitrage strategies, and charitable deductions. The course will also address planning flexibility in mixed or changing rate environments, including loan refinancing, grantor trust powers, and strategy reviews. Through case studies and practical insights, attendees will gain the knowledge needed to guide clients in adapting estate planning techniques to evolving economic conditions and achieving optimal wealth transfer outcomes.

This self-study course provides clear, practical explanations of how ETFs and mutual funds work and how to use them responsibly in advisory practice. Across six sections and eighteen lessons, youll examine fund structures and trading mechanics (intraday pricing, NAV execution, spreads, premiums/discounts, liquidity), total cost of ownership (expense ratios, trading frictions, cash drag, platform fees), and tax considerations (capital-gains distributions, in-kind processes in concept, dividend types, asset location). Youll compare passive, factor-tilted, and active approaches and learn when each has a practical role.The course connects concepts to day-to-day implementation: building core-satellite portfolios, setting rebalancing routines, placing holdings across account types, selecting appropriate share classes, managing conflicts (e.g., 12b-1 and revenue sharing), and documenting decisions in a client-ready, defensible manner. Checklists, brief case examples, and model language help you translate analysis into suitability notes, trade rationales, and monitoring plans aligned with NASAA IAR CE expectations for Products and Practices. Educational content only; not individualized investment advice.