Approved IAR CE Courses

This two-hour ethics program, led by RIA lawyer Richard Chen, examines the ethical, regulatory, and supervisory risks arising from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in advisory practice. Investment adviser representatives will explore how commonly used AI applications—such as large language models, AI meeting notetakers, and content-generation tools—can create heightened risks related to client confidentiality, accuracy of advice, marketing compliance, and recordkeeping.
Through practical examples and realistic case studies, participants will evaluate how improper AI use may lead to violations of fiduciary duty, Regulation S-P obligations, advertising standards, and books-and-records requirements. The course emphasizes the ethical responsibility of advisors to understand, supervise, and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, reinforcing that human judgment and professional oversight remain essential when integrating AI into client-facing activities.

Ethical Behavior for Financial Professionals examines the nature and scope of ethics, as the foundation of integrity and honesty, and its relationship to compliance. It reviews the requirements of Regulation Best Interest and the Investment Adviser Marketing Rule.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
• Understand the nature of ethics and identify those parties to whom the practitioner owes an ethical duty;
• Recognize the requirements of Regulation Best Interest and the Investment Adviser Marketing Rule;
• Identify and change any sales tools that may mislead customers;
• Replace the use of misleading terms with those offering clarity and customer understanding;
• Describe the need for increased professionalism and its consequences;
• Discuss the sources of duty practitioners owe insurers;
• Understand the common ethical issues that arise between financial services practitioners and customers; and
• Differentiate his or her practice on the basis of its high ethical level.

Ethical Behavior for Financial Professionals examines the nature and scope of ethics, as the foundation of integrity and honesty, and its relationship to compliance. It reviews the requirements of Regulation Best Interest and the Investment Adviser Marketing Rule.

This course is designed to equip investment advisors with the knowledge and tools necessary to align their marketing practices with the SEC's modernized IA Marketing Rule while fostering a strong commitment to ethics. Participants will explore the regulatory framework governing marketing communications, focusing on the rule's provisions for transparency, fairness, and accountability in advertising. The course delves into ethical considerations that underpin compliant marketing, such as balancing business goals with fiduciary responsibilities, mitigating conflicts of interest, and ensuring truthful representations of performance data. Advisers will learn to navigate complex challenges in marketing, including the use of testimonials, hypothetical performance, and AI-driven financial tools. The course also provide actionable strategies for developing robust compliance programs, leveraging technology to streamline processes, and responding effectively to SEC inquiries. Emphasis is placed on cultivating a culture of compliance and ethical leadership, empowering advisers to act with integrity while maintaining competitive marketing practices.

The course will provide context into historical rates, including the relatively low interest ratesover the last 10 years and the recent increase in interest rates. Next, students will learn how risinginterest rates will impact securities prices. This section will examine risk measurements andvaluation techniques for both stocks and bonds. The final section of the course will cover ethicalconsiderations and adjusting recommendations to clients during periods of rising interest rates.

A professional-responsibility course covering ethical conduct, material nonpublic information, deceptive practices, financial-crime red flags, confidentiality duties, and escalation decisions for investment adviser representatives.

This course is designed to enhance the knowledge, understanding, and professional competence of the student as to applicable laws and rules, including recent changes in consumer suitability regulations; law and the duties and responsibilities of the licensee regarding consumer protectionand insurance ethical standards and requirements, including "fiduciary" responsibilities and the"best interest" standard.