Mutual funds have long served as one of the most accessible and popular investment vehicles for individual investors. For investment advisers'whether newly registered or seasoned professionals'they remain a central component in portfolio construction, risk management, and in helping clients achieve their goals. This study guide is designed to help investment advisers develop'and demonstrate'a deep understanding of mutual fund mechanics, expenses, and regulatory expectations. Whether you are just beginning your advisory career or seeking to strengthen your compliance program, this guide will provide:- A refresher on mutual fund structures and terminology- A breakdown of share classes, costs, and fee arrangements- Guidance on aligning fund selection with fiduciary obligations- Real-world case studies and enforcement examples- Tools to document and disclose fund recommendations properly
This presentation equips financial advisors to recognize, respond to, and add value when a business-owner client signals interest in selling. For most owners, the sale of their company is the single largest liquidity event of their lives, often representing 70–90% of their net worth. The advisor is frequently the first professional the owner confides in — which makes the advisor the natural quarterback for the earliest stage of the process, even though the heavy lifting of the transaction itself will be handled by M&A specialists.
The presentation’s throughline: the advisor’s role is not to run the deal, but to prepare the client, assemble the right team, and stay engaged at the moments where wealth planning and deal execution intersect.
This course examines the history of NASAA and the regulator framework that applies to both broker-dealers and investment advisers. By analyzing the Uniform Securities Act and various model rules and statements of policy, readers will gain an understanding of the importance of state securities laws. Through the use of case studies, the rules regarding the protection of senior and vulnerable investors as well as using appropriate professional designations will be described. The course will also examine the ethical obligations and fiduciary duties of investment advisers and their representatives.
This month we review the four June blogs which includes: (1) When Financial Planning Practice Standards Apply To CFP Professionals, (2) Understanding New Disclosure And Reporting Requirements Under CFP Board Standards of Conduct, (3) The New Fiduciary-At-All-Times Obligation for CFP Professionals, and (4) The 15 Duties To Clients That CFP Professionals Must Comply With
This program reviews the article Advertising With Testimonials And Endorsements Under The New SEC Marketing Rule. The article covers the the SEC's new marketing rule and its implications for financial advisors, including what is defined as an 'advertisement' under the rule, the enumerated prohibitions on RIA advertising, the new regulations applicable to testimonials and endorsements under the new rule, and the rule's provisions regarding advertisement of third-party ratings. The session addresses ethics as pertains to remaining compliant with Federal and state securities laws and avoiding false or misleading statements in communications and advertising.
This quiz includes the following article from June of 2019: Advisor's Guide To The SEC's Final Regulation Best Interest And Form CRS. The course's content addresses ethics and professional responsibility as it pertains to an advisor's responsibility to avoid or disclose conflicts of interest and remain compliant with SEC regulations (and those of any states that choose to adopt the Federal regulations).
This quiz includes articles from August 2021 and November 2021: Navigating Minimum Net Capital And Surety Bond Requirements For State-Registered RIAs and How Financial Advisor Titles Shape Consumer Perceptions. The course's content addresses ethics and professional responsibility as it pertains to an advisor's responsibility to remain financially solvent in accordance with state regulations and to accurately portray their services and duties to their clients in their titles and disclosures.
SLATs (Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts) are a popular estate planning tool for married clients with a net worth above the current estate planning exemption. Yet, SLATs can also be adapted for clients with $1-10 million in net worth solving for uncertainty, tax, asset protection, and aging. In this webinar advisors will review what a SLAT is and then go through tangible examples of how to turn this traditionally ultra-high net worth tool into a useful tool for a wider range of clients.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping advisory work, and its greatest risks often extend beyond the technology itself to how firms describe, use, supervise, and rely on it. This course gives IARs a practical roadmap for spotting AI washing, testing technology claims, protecting confidential client information, and reviewing AI-assisted research, communications, and recommendations before they reach a client. Using memorable frameworks such as FACTS, CLAIM, and REVIEW, learners will work through realistic advisory scenarios and build the judgment needed to separate useful innovation from unsupported hype. This course is designed to help advisers use AI with greater confidence while preserving fiduciary integrity, regulatory discipline, and client trust.