This course examines ethical and practical considerations for state-registered IARs serving clients with disabilities. It explores government benefit programs and the 'benefits cliff' that creates unique planning challenges when wealth-building strategies can jeopardize essential benefits. Thecourse analyzes how fiduciary duties become more complex when serving clients with disabilities, including capacity assessment and documentation practices. It covers specialized financial tools like ABLE accounts, Special Needs Trusts, and insurance strategies designed to preserve benefiteligibility while building wealth. Practical guidance addresses financial exploitation prevention, accessibility accommodations, family dynamics, and interdisciplinary team coordination. The courseconcludes with implementation strategies for creating disability-inclusive advisory practices as both an ethical obligation and a competitive advantage.
This course begins by defining sexual harassment and describing two different forms of sexual harassment. The course also presents examples of sexual harassment, so that participants will be able to recognize sexual harassment in the workplace. This is followed by a brief review of the history and legal foundation of modern sexual harassment law, including a discussion of power dynamics and the role of gender identity in sexual harassment. Participants learn about the most common traditional approach to handling workplace sexual harassment (i.e., forbidden behaviorstraining), as well as newer methods (e.g., bystander intervention training). The course also discusses IAR disclosure requirements regarding sexual harassment, and it offers tips forsafely navigating the digital workplace.
This course examines the rapidly evolving landscape of shadow trading for investment adviser representatives. It distinguishes shadow trading from traditional insider trading through landmark cases like SEC v. Panuwat and SEC v. Bechtolsheim, while exploring the regulatory framework through SEC and NASAA regulations. The course analyzes compliance obligations including recordkeeping and pre-trade clearance, with practical implementation strategies focusing on surveillance, documentation, and 10b5-1 plans. Through case studies of high-risk scenarios such asthematic investing and industry consolidation, the course illustrates how advisers may inadvertentlyengage in shadow trading and provides best practices to develop robust compliance frameworks frameworks addressing current and anticipated enforcement priorities.
This course equips investment adviser representatives with practical knowledge to recognize, respond to, and help prevent two of today's most pressing cybersecurity threats: ransomware and account takeovers. Participants will explore how evolving tactics, including AI-driven phishing, impersonation, and adaptive malware, challenge traditional defenses. The course highlights regulatory expectations, including SEC disclosure obligations, enforcement priorities, and fiduciary duties, while emphasizing the IAR's role in spotting red flags, escalating concerns through firm-approved channels, and reinforcing secure client practices. By connecting compliance responsibilities with everyday decisions and ethical considerations, the course underscores how vigilance and sound judgment help protect client assets and preserve trust.
Small Business Retirement Pland and Ethical Practices
Small businesses constitute an essential element of the U.S. economy. Approximately 30 million small businesses operate in the United States, making up most employer firms in the country. Collectively, these small businesses employ nearly 80 million workers or approximately half of all private sector employees. This course is designed to review and clarify the diverse business structures and the benefit plans available to each.
Small Business Retirement Pland and Ethical Practices
Small businesses constitute an essential element of the U.S. economy. Approximately 30 million small businesses operate in the United States, making up most employer firms in the country. Collectively, these small businesses employ nearly 80 million workers or approximately half of all private sector employees. This course is designed to review and clarify the diverse business structures and the benefit plans available to each.
This course explains the definition of beta exposure and how it is applied in finance. It describesthe concepts behind smart beta strategies and how some investors seek to build their betaexposure in alternative ways. This course also explores the various attributes that apply to factor model investment strategies.
Upon completion of this self-study guide, financial professionals will be able to identify conflicts of interest, risks for the firm and its adviser, risks of political contributions, unmonitored gifts and entertainment, discretionary trading, wrap accounts and financial scams. The critical nature of these topics and their impact on clients and advisers if not handled correctly are included in the course materials and case studies that are provided. Financial professionals will have a demonstrated increase in awareness and knowledge as measured by a post-course assessment or self-evaluation. Real life compliance examples and guidance provided by the SEC illustrate ethical dilemmas and proper conduct. Mastery of these principles protects not only the client relationship but also the adviser's professional reputation.
Upon completion of this self-study guide, Smart Compliance for Investment Advisers: Ethics, Risks, and Everyday Red Flags, financial professionals will be able to identify key ethical principles, fiduciary obligations, and regulatory requirements for key every day compliance topics such as personal securities and code of ethics, insider trading, anti-money laundering, prohibited practices, social media custody, cybersecurity and IRA rollovers. The critical nature of these topics and their impact on clients and advisers if not handled correctly are included in the course materials and case studies that are provided. Financial professionals will have a demonstrated increase in awareness and knowledge as measured by a post-course assessment or self-evaluation. Real life enforcement actions and guidance provided by the SEC illustrate ethical dilemmas and proper conduct. Mastery of these principles protects not only the client relationship but also the adviser's professional reputation.