Approved IAR CE Courses

This course is intended for investment adviser representatives, and provides an in-depth review of financial exploitation of senior adults and how investment advisers can identify and prevent it. It includes five sections that focus on defining financial exploitation, risk factors of seniors, perpetrators of financial exploitation, identifying and responding to suspected exploitation, and suggested business practices for preventing financial exploitation.

This course will introduce the registered representative to some specific risks seniors face in today’s investment environment. We will closely examine the need for protecting the senior’s assets from “external” risks such as fraud, identity theft, investment risks, and “internal” risks such as the senior’s own mental health. The regulatory agencies are encouraging firms to increase their awareness of the dangers to seniors. As such, we will identify warning signs and present potential safeguards throughout the course.

Over half a million divorces occur in America every year, indicating that financial planners are likely to encounter client couples facing divorce within their practice. Due to the adversarial nature of the legal process, the emotional and financial strain on divorcing couples is often exacerbated, leading clients to experience significant stress and leaving advisors looking for ways to offer help. While financial planners are uniquely positioned to provide impactful support due to the collaborative and problem-solving nature of their work, they must navigate complex ethical considerations when working with clients undergoing divorce. This includes maintaining professional integrity while managing evolving client relationships and knowing when to call in specialized divorce planning experts.In this webinar, expert Michael Kothakota will discuss how financial planners can position themselves to support clients facing divorce. He will cover strategies to navigate the ethical and emotional aspects of divorce planning, ensuring that planners are well-equipped to provide the best possible guidance during such a challenging time.

The course will examine the evolution of trusts and then provide the history of both the Prudent Man Rule and Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA). The concept of portfolio diversification and why it's an ethical requirement will be analyzed. Violations of the UPIA will be described and a hypothetical case study with examples of a trustee committing ethical violations is provided.

As we move into the second quarter of 2026, the global economy is reaching a critical inflection point. The Q2 Market Outlook Symposium brings together leading investment strategists to analyze how shifting fiscal policies, evolving inflation data, and sector rotations are redefining the investment landscape.

Participants will gain a deep understanding of the macroeconomic drivers shaping the next three months. We move beyond the headlines to provide actionable insights on portfolio construction and risk mitigation, helping advisors identify value in an environment characterized by both transition and opportunity.

Core areas of focus include:
Fixed Income & Alternatives: A deep dive into traditional bonds, CLOs, and the role of Autocallable ETFs.
Strategic Sector Analysis: Evaluating opportunities in Defense, Energy, and the continued evolution of Artificial Intelligence.
Operational Excellence: Implementing tax-efficient investing strategies to protect client returns.

Financial advisors are currently navigating unprecedented changes in fixed income markets, and this course is designed to provide the critical guidance needed for strategic portfolio construction. This symposium brings together leading experts from the ETF and mutual fund industries to offer in-depth insights into nine key fixed income topics. The discussions will cover a wide range of subjects, including the outlook on interest rates, how to effectively move out of cash, and where to take on credit risk. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of diverse strategies, from active ETFs and multisector bond investing to the unique roles of CLOs and bank loans, to better serve their clients in a dynamic market environment.

Learn about pension, profit-sharing and 401(k) plans, as well as IRAs, Keoghs, and nonqualified deferred compensation. This course explains qualification and tax rules for each type of plan and examines each plan's design from the perspective of both employers and employees. Plan installation, administration, and termination are fully explained.

Michael E. Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL, is the Head of Planning Strategy at Buckingham Strategic Partners, a turnkey wealth management services provider supporting thousands of independent financial advisors. In addition, he is a co-founder of the XY Planning Network, AdvicePay, New Planner Recruiting, fpPathfinder, and FA BeanCounters, the former Practitioner Editor of the Journal of Financial Planning, the host of the Financial Advisor Success podcast, and the publisher of the popular financial planning industry blog Nerd's Eye View through his website Kitces.com which is dedicated to advancing knowledge in financial planning. In 2010, Michael was recognized with one of the FPA's 'Heart of Financial Planning' awards for his dedication and work in advancing the profession.

This course covers the characteristics of real estate investment trusts (REITs), including the differences between investing in real estate directly and investing in REITs, and the suitability and tax concerns of each. In addition, the course compares the characteristics and risks of publicly-traded REITs, non-exchange-traded REITs and private REITs. Differences between equity and mortgage REITs are also explained.