Approved IAR CE Courses

Upon completion of this self-study course, financial professionals will be able to identify key ethical principles, fiduciary obligations, and regulatory requirements when utilizing artificial intelligence in various capacities. Best practices for maintaining ethical standards in these areas are included in the course materials and real-life examples are provided. Participants will have a demonstrated increase in awareness and knowledge as measured by a post-course assessment. Real-world scenarios help illustrate ethical dilemmas and proper conduct. Mastery of these principles protects not only the client relationship but also the advisor’s professional reputation.

This course examines the application of existing fiduciary obligations and federal securities law to the use of artificial intelligence in investment advisory practice. Drawing on the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, SEC anti-fraud provisions, Regulation Best Interest, and FINRA Regulatory Notice 24-09, the course addresses three core compliance areas: identifying AI-related conflicts of interest, meeting disclosure obligations through Form ADV, and building supervisory and recordkeeping frameworks for AI-assisted advisory activities. The course is designed for investment adviser representatives, CFP professionals, and compliance personnel at registered investment advisory firms.

This course examines AI-washing risks and compliance strategies for state-registered IARs. It defines AI-washing and distinguishes legitimate AI from misrepresentations, tracing how technology and marketing claims have evolved in financial services. The regulatory section analyzes how existing securities laws apply to AI-washing through antifraud provisions, fiduciary duties, marketing rules, and recordkeeping requirements. The course explores high-risk areas including marketing materials, Form ADV disclosures, client communications, and investment due diligence, with practical guidance on documentation standards and review processes. Real-world enforcement cases illustrate regulatory approaches and consequences. A strategic framework addresses dual challenges: preventing misrepresentation in firm communications while conducting appropriate due diligence on AI claims in investment opportunities. Finally, the course concludes with an 'AI terminology guide,' defining the most common terms and clearly explaining the technology's current capabilities and limitations.

AI has been dominating the headlines for the past two years. The massive
run-up in any stocks related to AI has led to some looking for the next "big"
mover while others are comparing this to the late 90s tech bubble. Is this a
Boom like no other we've experienced in this country, or yet another bubble
which will leave those late to the rally left with unrecoverable losses? In this
presentation we will take a look at the impact AI has had on our economy and
the market and discuss ways this is similar to and different from the past
bubbles.

Accredited Investment Fiduciary' (AIF') Training prepares investment professionals and those managing investments on behalf of others to carry out their fiduciary responsibilities.This is a classroom seminar for participants who wish to learn about the investment fiduciary methodology. It is also a core requirement to obtain the AIF' Designation.Prior to attending the seminar, participants must complete the online self-paced portion of the training. The AIF' Final Examination (another core requirement) is administered at the conclusion of the seminar.

In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd’s Eye View blog articles: Alternative Investment Due Diligence For RIAs: A Framework For Compliantly Evaluating Private Funds and 10 Charts To Help Advisors Guide Top Client Concerns In 2026.

In the first article, Ben Henry Moreland, Senior Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com, outlines how fiduciary duty and the duty of care require advisors to develop thorough due diligence processes when evaluating alternative investments – especially private funds. The article breaks down why complex or opaque investment structures demand deeper analysis, how to tailor diligence to client and manager factors (including risk, liquidity, strategy, operations, and costs), and how advisors can document and justify their assessments to ensure that recommendations are in the client’s best interest.

In the second article, James Liu presents ten key charts and insights from Clearnomics that frame the major economic and market themes shaping financial planning for 2026. These visuals help advisors contextualize topics such as artificial intelligence’s impact on markets, valuation levels, geopolitical risks (including tariffs), Federal Reserve policy, currency dynamics, and the role of diversification in managing client portfolios. The article emphasizes how advisors can use data driven talking points to better educate and guide clients through an increasingly complex investment landscape.

This course defines the term "alternative investments" and reviews several different types of investments that are classified as alternative investments. An explanation is provided as to why alternative assets are needed to diversify and create efficient portfolios. A focused review is provided regarding the risks and benefits of alternative investments including hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private debt, infrastructure investments, commodities and real estate.

In a rapidly evolving market, understanding the unique characteristics and compliance challenges of alternative investments is critical for fiduciary excellence. Alternative Investments: Fiduciary Focus equips advisers with a practical framework for integrating private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and other non-traditional assets while upholding fiduciary duties of care and loyalty. Through concise, real-world case studies and interactive exercises, learners will deepen their understanding of SEC guidance on disclosure requirements and conflict mitigation, apply ethical principles to fee analysis and liquidity assessments, and adopt best practices for thorough due diligence and documentation. By the end of the course, participants will be able to navigate compliance pitfalls and tailor alternative investment recommendations to client needs, aligning each proposal with fiduciary standards and sound due diligence practices.

An analysis of seven different withdrawal schemes which can be used to withdrawal money periodically form a retirement investment account. Includes discussion of appropriateness for various retirees.