Approved IAR CE Courses

This course presentation outlines the fundamentals and applications of structured notes in investment portfolios. It will be discussing types of income and downside protection strategies. The purpose is to educate financial advisors and investors on leveraging structured notes to diversify portfolios, generate income, and mitigate risks.

This course will examine investment funds, but more specifically, the focus is on actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In addition to learning about the strucuture of ETFs and investment objectives of actively managed ETFs, details will be provided as to how actively managed ETFs developed over history. The course's final sectione will review the specific parts of U.S. securities laws that apply to actively managed ETFs.

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.

In this continuing education session, learners will review 3 Nerd's Eye View blog articles: 'How Much Does Having The 'Right' Capital Market Assumptions Matter In Retirement Planning?', 'How RIAs Can Craft An Effective Operating Agreement That Aligns Owners' Interests And Mitigates Risks', 'Why Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Aren't Always Worth The 'Triple Tax Savings' Advantage'. In the first article, Justin Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., CFP, CFA, evaluates the impact of accurate and precise Capital Market Assumptions (CMAs) on the ability to advise clients on how much they can withdraw in retirement and other factors that could impact the ideal level of retirement spending a client engages in. In the second article, Richard Chen explains the importance of thoughtfully crafting RIA operating agreements with both current and future business need in mind. In the third article, Ben Dobler explains the personal and financial circumstances that may make High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and their associated Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) less beneficial to a client than other health care insurance options.

The appeal of a Roth-style retirement account is the potential for tax-free growth for life. However, the reality is that creating a Roth account has a 'cost' - the upfront tax liability of contributing to (or converting into) the account, which is avoided with a traditional pre-tax IRA or 401(k). As a result, optimal Roth strategies do not merely involve contributing to or converting into Roths, but managing the timing and leveraging the available tax law to maximize the strategy. Join Chief Financial Planning Nerd Michael Kitces at the September Kitces Monthly Webinar, where he'll share techniques to maximize Roth contributions, including 'Backdoor Roth' IRAs and 'Mega Backdoor Roth' 401(k) strategies, leveraging the Roth recharacterization rules to optimally fill lower tax brackets, and being able to ensure that an investment in a Roth has a positive return before being required to commit to it!

This comprehensive course explores sophisticated approaches to transferring wealth efficiently while minimizing tax burdens. Key topics include lifetime gifting strategies, such as annual exclusion gifts, leveraging the lifetime gift tax exemption, and employing family limited partnerships (FLPs) and family LLCs. Attendees will gain insights into charitable giving techniques, including donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), and charitable lead trusts (CLTs). Advanced tools like GRATs (Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts), IDGTs (Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts), and SLATs (Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts) will also be covered. Additionally, participants will learn how to optimize wealth transfer through life insurance strategies using Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) to ensure the death benefit remains outside the taxable estate. This program is essential for professionals aiming to provide clients with cutting-edge estate planning solutions.

This course will cover the four-step financial planning process and will touch upon the concept of advice engagement, highlighting strategies for fostering more meaningful conversations and delivering advice in a more effective manner. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks, practical insights, and interactive exercises, this course is designed to help you navigate the complexities of financial planning with confidence, integrity, and a client-centric focus.