Approved IAR CE Courses

The course provides a brief history of investment fund and how exchange-traded funds evolvedfrom index mutual funds. The course will also present how mutual funds, closed-end funds, andexchange-traded funds are issued and later bought and sold. The next section will introduce thetypes of exchange-traded funds, their characteristics, and risks. The final section will review thefederal laws that govern exchange-traded funds.

Retirement Plans, Pensions and Annuities is a course that discusses the federal income tax treatment of, and limitations related to a) qualified employee plan contributions and distributions, and b) commercial annuity contracts. It examines the qualified plan limits and income taxability of: employer and employee contributions (including designated Roth account contributions); plan loans; life insurance contained in the plan; plan distributions, including distributions as periodic payments and non-periodic payments; required minimum distributions; and rollovers. The course also examines the tax treatment of lump-sum distributions and periodic payments received under commercial annuity contracts. A final examination covering the course material is administered.

Investment advisers operate within a framework defined not only by regulatory obligations but by the profound ethical duty to place client interests above their own. At the heart of this responsibility lies the fiduciary standard'an expectation of loyalty, care, honesty, and full disclosure'that governs every interaction, recommendation, and action an adviser takes on behalf of their clients. As markets grow more complex and financial products more diverse, the ethical and fiduciary obligations of advisers have expanded accordingly, demanding a heightened level of diligence, transparency, and professional integrity.This study guide explores the core ethical and fiduciary principles that underpin the investment advisory profession, as well as the real-world application of these principles in various contexts. Each section builds upon the central premise that client-first behavior must guide all aspects of advisory services'from everyday account management to the most nuanced areas of potential conflict.

This self-study course provides investment adviser representatives (IARs) with a comprehensive understanding of the fiduciary duties and obligations that define the advisory profession. Organized around the recognized duties of loyalty, care, good faith and fair dealing, disclosure, confidentiality, scope of authority, and monitoring, the course examines both the legal foundations and practical applications of fiduciary duty under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and state regulatory frameworks.Through regulatory guidance, case studies, and practical examples, participants will explore how fiduciary duties shape client relationships, influence advisory recommendations, and guide compliance practices. The course also addresses emerging challenges, including technology, cybersecurity, and ESG investing, to help advisers anticipate and adapt to evolving regulatory and client expectations.By the end of the course, IARs will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to uphold fiduciary standards, mitigate risks, and strengthen client trust through transparency, integrity, and professionalism.

This course provides investment adviser representatives with a fuller understanding of a keycomponent of their obligations to clients, the concept of a fiduciary duty. The course begins with alegal-historical examination of the development of fiduciary duties, such as the obligation not toengage in self-dealing and the corporate opportunity doctrine. The course covers the distinction between the duty of loyalty and duty of care. Fiduciary duties in specific contexts, such as discretionary accounts, trust accounts, retirement plans, and mutual fund management, are alsocovered. The course discusses the difference between the fiduciary standard for investment advisers and the Regulation Best Interest standard for broker-dealers, as well as the implicationsof multiple standards for dually registered firms. Emerging regulatory trends and landmarkcases related to fiduciary duties are discussed.

In a highly regulated profession built on trust, fiduciary duty isn't just a legal obligation - it's the foundation of ethical advising. Fiduciary Duty: Ethics and Compliance equips IARs with the practical knowledge to navigate today's ethical and regulatory landscape. This 1-hour course explores the SEC's guidance on the fiduciary standard, core duties of care and loyalty, conflict disclosure, and real-world case studies on ethical breaches. Learners will apply decision-making frameworks, understand the 'fiduciary funnel,' and strengthen their ability to align client-first values with day-to-day advisory decisions. Perfect for those committed to building long-term trust and minimizing compliance risks.

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.