Approved IAR CE Courses

In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd’s Eye View blog articles: Closing The Implementation Gap: A Formula For Exploration Meetings That Lead To Better Client Follow-Through and How To Better Help Business Owner Clients Depending On The Stage Of Their Business Journey.

In the first article, Scott Frank explains why clients may fail to implement financial planning recommendations even when they understand and agree with them, arguing that traditional planning often engages the conscious “Rider” while overlooking the unconscious, emotion-driven “Elephant.” He then presents the Exploration phase of George Kinder’s EVOKE framework as a way for advisors to create safety, curiosity, and space for clients to uncover deeper motivations, resulting in plans that feel personally meaningful and are more likely to inspire follow-through.

In the second article, Michael Kitces presents a four-stage framework for understanding how business owners’ needs evolve from establishing financial stability to building scalable enterprises and ultimately pursuing significance, legacy, and impact.

In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd’s Eye View blog articles written by Dr. Meghaan Lurtz: Navigating Sensitive Topics With Clients: 3 Tools To Get Them To Open Up About Planning Hurdles and When Clients Use AI To Challenge Your Advice: How To Respond To Deepen Engagement.

In the first article, Meghaan explains why financial advisors should not avoid sensitive client conversations and explores research showing that clients often overestimate how uncomfortable these discussions will be. She then introduces three trauma-informed communication techniques to help advisors uncover deeper client values, improve engagement, and develop more meaningful financial plans. In the second article,

In the second article, Meghaan argues that clients who use AI to question or validate their advisor's recommendations are typically demonstrating greater engagement rather than distrust. She then introduces a four-step conversational framework advisors can utilize to transform AI-driven questions into opportunities for deeper trust, collaboration, and better planning outcomes.

"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.