Approved IAR CE Courses

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the new SEC Marketing Rule for investment advisers. It covers the key components of the rule, including the expanded definition of "advertisement", general prohibitions, requirements for testimonials, endorsements, and third-party ratings, performance advertising standards, and recordkeeping obligations. The course also discusses the impact of the rule on investment advisers' compliance efforts, marketing strategies, and the overall competitive landscape. Through hypothetical case studies, participants gain practical insights into how to navigate the new rule effectively and develop compliant marketing practices that benefit both advisers and investors.

For many families, 529 plans are the cornerstone of education savings'but for financial advisors, understanding how to evaluate and optimize these plans requires more than just knowing the basics. This session equips advisors with a deep understanding of the critical factors that drive 529 plan recommendations.From state-level tax incentives and ownership structure to investment options and the interaction with other planning tools, this session provides advisors with the confidence to design customized education savings strategies. Advisors will learn how to evaluate plans, guide families in optimizing tax advantages, and integrate 529s into broader estate and multigenerational wealth planning.Whether serving new parents, grandparents, or high-net-worth clients, participants will gain the tools to sharpen their recommendations and ensure clients get the maximum strategic benefit from this tax-advantaged vehicle.

This program is designed for investment professionals, compliance officers, and legal teams who handle customer complaints in the financial industry. The course provides a comprehensive framework for identifying, reporting, and resolving complaints while ensuring compliance with SEC, FINRA, and firm regulations. Participants will learn how to navigate the complaint process, mitigate risks, and protect their professional reputation.

In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd’s Eye View blog articles: 9 Discovery Meeting Questions To Find Out What Clients Really Want From You And Align Relationship Expectations and A 5-Step Framework To Get More Out Of Discovery Meetings And Uncover What Clients Really Want.

In the first article, Sydney Squires explains the CLEAR framework, a structured approach to improving discovery meetings by helping advisors uncover clients’ deeper motivations behind financial goals. In the second article, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz emphasizes the importance of explicitly setting relationship expectations early in the advisor-client onboarding process to avoid misalignment and build trust. She introduces nine key questions advisors can use to clarify roles, communicate norms, and define success, ultimately improving long-term client engagement and satisfaction.

The purpose of this course is to educate financial professionals on the principles and benefits of building diversified, multi-asset portfolios for long-term success. The course emphasizes the importance of spreading risk across uncorrelated asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities, to manage volatility and enhance returns. Key topics include the 7Twelve portfolio model, the impact of portfolio costs, the necessity of rebalancing, and the role of low-correlation assets in stabilizing portfolios. Attendees also learn how to align portfolio strategies with client goals and set realistic expectations by using appropriate benchmarks. The course provides actionable insights to help advisors construct portfolios that balance risk and return effectively over time.

ETFs have become commonplace in client portfolios as the ETF market has continued to grow at a rapid pace. However, despite the efficiency of the ETF market, this system has also become more fragile, leading to tons of news headlines speculating about the future of ETFs and various investing trends. David Nadig takes advisors through a deep dive into how the ETF market has developed, areas that advisors should actually be concerned about and continue to monitor, and trends that will impact the future of ETF investing. This webinar also features a review of tools and metrics that advisors can use to conduct ETF due diligence, along with a specific list of tools with their pros and cons, including a walkthrough of some commonly used and affordable options.

In today's complex financial landscape, ethical communication is more important than ever for investment advisers. "Mastering Ethical Communication" is a comprehensive course designed to equip financial professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to build trust, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver client-centered advice. This self-study course covers essential topics, including key regulatory frameworks, principles of ethical communication, and practical strategies for clear and transparent client engagement.Throughout the course, you will explore the laws and regulations that govern the financial advisory industry, such as SEC regulations, FINRA rules, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. You will also delve into core ethical principles, including honesty, transparency, and confidentiality, all of which are essential for maintaining client trust and upholding your fiduciary duty. Additionally, you will learn how to effectively communicate complex financial information by using plain language, avoiding misleading statements, properly disclosing risks, and ensuring that your advice is suitable for each client's unique needs and circumstances.By the end of the course, you will be equipped with practical strategies to enhance your communication skills, maintain compliance with ethical standards, and foster stronger, trust-based relationships with your clients. This course is ideal for both new and experienced investment advisers who are committed to ethical excellence and continuous professional development.

Navigating the complexities of long-term care and Medicaid eligibility can be overwhelming for clients facing a sudden care need without prior planning. This session, led by renowned elder law expert Dale Krause, J.D., LL.M., provides a comprehensive overview of crisis Medicaid planning, with a focus on Medicaid Compliant Annuities (MCAs). Participants will gain practical tools to protect client assets, accelerate Medicaid eligibility, and implement crisis strategies for both married and single individuals. The session features real-life case studies and a detailed walkthrough of Gift/MCA plans.