Approved IAR CE Courses

"Understanding the fundamentals of financial analysis is an important life skill as well as a requisite to providing sound investment advice to clients. Financial analysis was once considered only the language of Wall Street, but in today’s world of IRA’s and 401-k’s, the general population is learning more and more about financial analysis in order to preserve and enhance the value of their investments.

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of financial analysis, its importance, and the tools used to understand financial statements.

Finally the course speaks to the warning signs and qualitative factors in financial analysis that need to be considered in evaluating changes to an investment portfolio."

The Fundamentals of True Wealth Planning course provides participants with a comprehensive overview of a five-phase model for delivering holistic, life-centered financial planning services:EXPLORE: Develop and strengthen client trust by demonstrating the importance of understanding values and priorities.ENGAGE: Facilitate a discovery process that engages clients' hearts and minds while providing insights into their unique frames of reference.ENVISION: Assist clients in developing an inspiring vision of the future that lays the foundation for meaningful life and financial goals.ENLIGHTEN: Present financial plans and advice in a way that meaningfully connects strategies to clients' values, interests, and aspirations.EMPOWER: Utilize proven strategies for keeping clients engaged, motivated, and on the path toward their life and financial goals.This course introduces participants to the research-based and philosophical foundations behind the True Wealth Planning process. It is designed to enhance financial professionals' ability to integrate life-centered approaches into their practice while upholding the fiduciary standard of always putting the client's interests first.

The Fundamentals of True Wealth Planning course provides participants with a comprehensive overview of a five-phase model for delivering holistic, life-centered financial planning services:EXPLORE: Develop and strengthen client trust by demonstrating the importance of understanding values and priorities.ENGAGE: Facilitate a discovery process that engages clients' hearts and minds while providing insights into their unique frames of reference.ENVISION: Assist clients in developing an inspiring vision of the future that lays the foundation for meaningful life and financial goals.ENLIGHTEN: Present financial plans and advice in a way that meaningfully connects strategies to clients' values, interests, and aspirations.EMPOWER: Utilize proven strategies for keeping clients engaged, motivated, and on the path toward their life and financial goals.This course introduces participants to the research-based and philosophical foundations behind the True Wealth Planning process. It is designed to enhance financial professionals' ability to integrate life-centered approaches into their practice while upholding the fiduciary standard of always putting the client's interests first.

For a parent or guardian, funding a child's education is typically one of the most important financial decisions to make. In many cases, the educational needs of a child are generally considered to be college related. However, parents and guardians may also intend to sendtheir children to private schools for grades K - 12, which will increase costs and financialplanning considerations. Overall, it's imperative for investment adviser representatives (IARs)to have a general understanding of the financial options available to individuals who wantprepare to meet the expected expenses associated with their own education or those of others.This course will primarily focus on the most widely used investment product for setting aside funds for higher educational needs'a Section 529 savings plan. Other methods will beexamined, such as prepaid tuition plans, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESA), andUniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) accounts.

One of the fundamental aspects of financial advising is creating diversified portfolios tailored to the client's needs. However, when it comes to long-term portfolio success, it's not just about what investments the client owns, but where they own them. Asset location is a commonly overlooked strategy in portfolio construction that can cost clients hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetime. In this webinar, Michael Kitces explains how asset location can be used to optimize after-tax returns and why the traditional 'pro rata' method may not be the most effective approach. Throughout the session, Michael illustrates how tax characteristics, account types, expected returns, and investor behavior intersect to drive wealth outcomes. Through the framework of the 'Asset Location Smile,' topics such as tax drag from dividends and turnover, the impact of time horizons, special considerations for Roths, 529s, non-qualified annuities, and held-away accounts will be discussed.

Introduction to the Six Steps of MedicareMany believe you just need to enroll in Medicare, pick your plans, and sign up for them, and you're good for life. However, there is much more to Medicare than that and it is the three overlooked steps that are most important.Step 1: Check Your TimingWhen to enroll in Medicare can be a big and permanent decision. Some will be enrolled automatically, others must enroll, and many can postpone Medicare. Making the wrong decision or missing the chance to enroll can be costly and hazardous to health and wellbeing. The Parts of MedicareJust about everyone has been taught that Medicare has four parts - A, B, C, and D. However, there are really three essential parts that combine to make two important paths.Step 2: Pick your Medicare PathMany do not want to face Medicare decisions and choose their Medicare coverage based on a friend or agent's recommendation, or a television commercial. And this easy way out can lead to problems in the future. Over 70% in a recent Nationwide survey wished they had a better understanding of Medicare basics before deciding what to do.